If you find trains for a cheaper price elsewhere, let us know and we'll refund the difference*
Save more with a variety of promo codes. Book on the TrainPal app with no booking fees.
24/7 fast customer service with prompt responses to your queries
Seamless rail travel with easy changes and refunds for peace of mind.
From Leicester to Manchester Piccadilly, take the fastest train in 1h 53m, typically 2h 34m. Daily, 72 trains depart from Leicester, with the first at 01:24 and the last at 23:37. Check real-time updates for train times, delays, and cancellations. TrainPal saves you time, effort, and money.
Thu
14 Aug
Fri
15 Aug
Sat
16 Aug
Sun
17 Aug
Mon
18 Aug
Tue
19 Aug
Wed
20 Aug
| Departs | Arrives | Status | Duration | Operator | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10:50 Leicester | 13:30 Manchester Piccadilly | On time | 2h 40m | CrossCountry | Find tickets | |
11:08 Leicester | 13:05 Manchester Piccadilly | On time | 1h 57m | East Midlands Railway | Find tickets | |
11:18 Leicester | 13:52 Manchester Piccadilly | On time | 2h 34m | CrossCountry | Find tickets | |
11:18 Leicester | 14:08 Manchester Piccadilly | On time | 2h 50m | CrossCountry | Find tickets | |
11:50 Leicester | 14:30 Manchester Piccadilly | On time | 2h 40m | CrossCountry | Find tickets |
Plan your journey from Leicester to Manchester Piccadilly with ease. Explore the first and last train times, departure and arrival stations, distance, journey time, and price options to make the most of your trip.
| First train | 01:24 |
|---|---|
| Last train | 23:37 |
| Departure station | Leicester |
| Arrival station | Manchester Piccadilly |
| Distance | 74 miles (120 km) |
| Journey time | From 1h 53m |
| Price | From £10.00 |
| Train operators | Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern |
Travel from Leicester to Manchester Piccadilly with trains operated by CrossCountry, and get there in about 2 hr 29 min. This approximately 120 km (74 mile) journey requires a change along the way, but with hourly departures, you have plenty of choice for your trip to Manchester.
Enjoy rural landscapes as you depart Leicester before arriving for your change in Birmingham, where you can admire the architecture of New Street station. From here, you will be accompanied by views of the rolling hills of the Pennines before arriving at your Manchester destination.
While on board, you can enjoy the service provided by CrossCountry, an operator providing long-distance inter-city routes across Great Britain. Their extensive network offers plenty of destinations, including Glasgow, York and Edinburgh.
Leicester station is the sole train station serving Leicester, located in the southeast of the city centre. You can get to the station via one of the many bus lines, stopping at the nearby Prebend St, Station St or Charles St – all within a three-minute walk – by taxi, or on foot; the station is just around a 12-minute walk from Gallowtree Gate.
The station is a central stop on the Midlands Main Line operated by East Midlands Railway between London and Sheffield, with connections to these two destinations as well as stops like Derby, Chesterfield and Nottingham. CrossCountry operates from Leicester station on their Birmingham–Leicester and Birmingham–Stansted Airport routes, with further connections to stops like Nuneaton and Melton Mowbray.
The main stops on the Leicester to Manchester Piccadilly train with CrossCountry are Nuneaton, Coleshill Parkway, Birmingham New Street – where you will change trains – Wolverhampton, Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent, Macclesfield and Stockport. Stops may vary according to your route, departing time and operator.
Manchester Piccadilly is one of four train stations in the city, and it's the busiest. It is located in the southeast of Manchester city, and its location makes it a great jumping-off point for a trip here.
Getting around from Manchester Piccadilly is a breeze, with its interconnected Metrolink tram service and its extensive National Rail network, you can reach destinations like London, Birmingham, Glasgow and various locations across Wales and Northern England.
With many of Manchester’s most iconic spots located only a stone’s throw away, you won’t be stuck for things to do. Piccadilly Gardens offers the perfect opportunity for an easy stroll combined with some people-watching, while the Northern Quarter is ideal for some retail therapy in its many independent shops. And if you’re looking for nightlife, Manchester’s Gay Village is located on Canal Street for some lively LGBTQ+ atmosphere.
CrossCountry offers two service classes for you to choose from for your Leicester to Manchester train journey.
Buy cheap train tickets from Leicester to Manchester Piccadilly by booking in advance on TrainPal.
Take the guesswork out of train travel with our breakdown of everything you need to know about getting from Leicester to Manchester Piccadilly by train with CrossCountry.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.
Family & Friends Railcard£17.90
£26.85
† Railcards offer discounted train tickets, with various types based on age and number of travellers. Enjoy up to 1/3 off for a cheaper journey. The actual price will vary based on factors such as the train service, time, and ticket availability.
Need help? Just contact us!
Explore more money-saving tips for your train journeys. Start saving today and enjoy affordable train travel with TrainPal.
New user welcome pack