Buses
Local bus services in Leicestershire provide services to local areas and across the county, with a number of routes covering the City of Leicester, Loughborough, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Melton Mowbray.
Details of local bus services and timetables can be found at Leicestershire Bus
Trains
Trains in Leicestershire serve a number of routes across the county and to other areas. There are several mainline rail routes offering local and regional services. Leicester Station has services to London St Pancreas International with a journey time of 1 hour 10 minutes. There are services to East Midlands Parkway, Birmingham New Street, Sheffield, Cambridge, Nottingham, Loughborough, Market Borough, Kettering and Derby.
Train services are provided by East Midland Trains and Cross Country
Other railway stations in Leicestershire include Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Loughborough and Hinckley.
For more information please see National Rail Enquiries
Public Transport Safety Tips
Most journeys on public transport go ahead without incident, in order to minimise the chances of any incidents, passengers may wish to consider the following safety tips:
- Be aware of your belongings at all times.
- Do not leave your bags and belongings unattended at any time.
- Stay alert and aware of your environment and those around you.
- Do not show valuables including money and jewellery in public.
- If you are carrying a bag/handbag, ensure you use a bag that has a strong good quality strap and wear it across your shoulder (not on your shoulder), with the pockets closed facing towards your waist. Carrying the bag on your shoulder makes it much easier for criminals to snatch the bag or cut the strap.
- Be careful and cautious in crowds and beware of pickpockets, do not leave anything valuable showing in public including wallets in back trouser pockets.
- Sit in carriages with other passengers do not sit in carriages with no/fewer passengers.
- Try not to use smaller/isolated stations especially at night.
- When waiting for buses, trains, boats and taxis stand with other passengers in an area that is well lit, do not stand/wait in isolated areas.
Car
There are a number of car hire firms in Leicestershire that offer car rental services for both short and longer term car hire offering a range of vehicles from small budget cars to family cars to larger mini-buses and luxury cars.
Leicestershire is connected to the road network via the M1, M69 and A5. London to Leicester by car via the M1 is a drive of approx 2 hours depending on traffic. Other major roads around the county include the A47, A607, A46 and A511.
Parking in Leicester city centre includes a number of pay and display and pay on exit car parks. Major car parks in Leicester city centre include multi storey car parks at Haymarket Centre, Welford Road and Rutland Centre and surface level car parks at Mansfield Street, Dover Street, Victoria Park and Abbey Park.
There are Park & Ride schemes in operation in the City of Leicester at Birstall, Enderby and Meynell’s Gorse, where drivers can park in designated areas in the outskirts of the city centre and get a bus in to Preston city centre. For more information please see: Leicester Park & Ride
Drivers should note there may be driving restrictions in and around the city and town centres. It is recommended visitors ensure they fully understand the local parking rules before parking and help avoid unnecessary fines and worry.
Bicycle
Leicestershire provides cyclists with plenty of countryside to explore with many quiet country lanes and rolling countryside making Leicestershire a cycle friendly destination location. Cycling around the county offers a cost effective and healthy way of seeing a range of attractions including some off the beaten track. There are a number of cycle routes that cover the county, for more information please see: Leicestershire Cycle Routes
Coach
Leicestershire is accessible by coach with regular coach services available to Leicestershire from London Victoria coach station; the journey time from London to Leicester is approx 2 hours 35 minutes to 3 hours depending on the service, time of day & traffic. There are also services from London to Loughborough, Market Harborough, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and East Midlands Airport. Coach services are provided by National Express.
Megabus has services from London Victoria Coach Station to Leicester with a journey time of between 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Whilst travelling by coach to Leicestershire is usually more time consuming than using rail and road, it is usually more cost effective.
Air
East Midlands Airport is located 20 miles from Leicester offering good access to the Leicestershire region. The airport has domestic and international flights.
Birmingham Airport is located 45-50 miles drive from Leicester via the M69 and M6.
For more information on public transport in Leicestershire including information on public transport and timetables please see: Leicestershire Transport from Leicestershire County Council
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
