Leicester to Edinburgh: Cheapest Travel Options

Score unbeatable deals for your Leicester to Edinburgh journey with operators like Megabus and National Express, boasting fares from just £10 to £40. Comfortable coaches take you there in about 7 to 9 hours, mixing economy with choice. For quicker travel, consider CrossCountry or LNER’s train services, priced at £30 to £90 with potential early bird savings. Or, cut travel time significantly with EasyJet or Ryanair flights, starting around £25 minus luggage costs.

Tap into cost-saving tips whether you’re traveling with family, for work, or on a shoestring budget. Find the perfect balance between price and convenience with coaches offering frequent departures or trains for quick, pleasant rides. Families enjoy ample savings with advance coach bookings, while business travelers might zero in on flight deals that save time. Budget travelers and groups can take advantage of shared costs via rideshare services like BlaBlaCar, turning the trip into a sociable and highly economical adventure.

Coach Travel

Operators: Megabus, National Express

Price Range: Around £10 to £40

Details: Megabus offers competitive fares with the added perk of charging no booking fees. National Express provides a wider range of travel times and direct coaches, making it a flexible option.

Travel Time: Approximately 7 to 9 hours.

Why Choose Coaches? When traveling from Leicester to Edinburgh, coaches are the wallet-friendly warriors of the road. Affordable tickets and the convenience of multiple departure times cater to the needs of budget travelers and those who prefer planning around their schedules. While a bit longer on travel time, the savings justify the journey for students, solo adventurers, and the budget-savvy family.

Train Travel

Operator: CrossCountry, LNER

Price Range: Typically £30 to £90

Details: CrossCountry offers a one-change route while LNER can provide faster routes with less hassle. Booking in advance can secure lower fares.

Travel Time: Around 5 to 7 hours.

Why Choose Trains? For travelers who value comfort and speed alongside budget considerations, trains strike the right chord. With early bookings, savvy passengers can snatch up deals that rival bus fares, making this option appealing for small groups or those who wish to avoid the longer coach journey.

Flight Travel

Operators: EasyJet, Ryanair

Price Range: Typically £25 to £100, excluding luggage fees

Details: Both EasyJet and Ryanair often run promotions to various destinations, including Edinburgh. Keep an eye out for sales to snag the best deal.

Travel Time: Around 1 to 2 hours, not including check-in and transit to and from airports.

Why Choose Flights? Time-strapped individuals or those looking to cut down on travel hours can opt for flights. Bear in mind that the cheapest tickets are often non-refundable and exclusive of baggage allowance. Ideal for business travelers and quick weekend jaunts, make sure to consider additional costs and time for airport commutes when tallying up the total trip cost.

Rideshare

Service: BlaBlaCar

Price Range: Variable, approximately £15 to £30

Details: BlaBlaCar connects drivers with empty seats to passengers looking for a ride along the same route. Costs are shared, making this an economical option.

Travel Time: Roughly 7 to 9 hours, depending on the route and stops.

Why Choose Rideshare? Ridesharing fits the bill perfectly for those who want a cheap yet social travel experience. It’s suitable for solo voyagers or couples who don’t mind the longer trips and want to enjoy the scenery along the way. Though it may not have the scheduled reliability of buses or trains, rideshare options can offer unexpected convenience and a friendlier, more communal journey.

Ntrip Smart Pick Saver’s 🎯

Analyzing the Leicester to Edinburgh journey, National Express stands out with competitive coach fares from £10 to £40. Trains offer speed but at a higher cost (£30-£90), while flights (£25-£100) save time but could add hidden expenses. Coaches offer a middle ground balancing affordability and comfort.

For a group of four, a coach can total £40 to £160 with National Express, whereas rideshare with BlaBlaCar ranges from £60 to £120 in total. Splitting the cost, rideshare works out cheaper per person, offering a social and cost-effective solution for small groups.