If you are going to use public transport West Yorkshire Metro can give you lots of information including bus and train times, route maps, locations of bus stops and train stations and fares / ticket prices.
Leeds has a big network of buses and trains which usually run from around 5am – 11pm, depending on the route. These can be used to get around the city centre or out into other parts of the city.
You can use the Journey Planner to plan your route from start to finish, including walking, trains and buses. It will tell you how long the whole journey will take.
Tickets and passes
If you travel regularly there are bus and train passes that you can use for multiple journeys that may make travel cheaper.
Children under 5 travel for free when accompanied by a fare-paying passenger on most buses, and all trains displaying the Metro symbol in West Yorkshire.
Anyone aged 5 to 10 pays discounted fare on most buses and all trains displaying the Metro symbol in West Yorkshire, including Metro school buses.
No PhotoCard is required (unless the child looks a lot older!)
Young people aged 11-19 can enjoy unlimited travel with cheaper MySingle, MyDay, MyWeek and MyMonth MCard tickets for anywhere, anytime travel on any bus within West Yorkshire:
Find out more on the West Yorkshire Metro website.
Using the Bus
There are many buses you can use to get in and out of Leeds city centre. Many buses also travel between different areas of Leeds without going into the city centre. You catch a bus from a bus stop which is usually painted red. The bus stop will usually include timetable information.
West Yorkshire Metro has lots of information for bus travel including timetables, route maps, locations of bus stops and ticket prices. It covers bus travel to Leeds, Bradford, Dewsbury, Huddersfield and Wakefield too.
Find out where to catch your bus in the city centre
Find out where buses go outside the city centre
If you are not sure of the right bus to catch, you can ask other passengers waiting at the bus stop or the bus driver which bus is going to your destination, before you buy a ticket. You can also ask other passengers or the driver to tell you when you have reached your destination so you know when to get off the bus.
Leeds bus station
Many of the buses that travel to and from Leeds city centre stop at the main station, but not all of them, so it is best to check first. You can also catch buses to other places in Yorkshire, such as Bradford, Huddersfield, Harrogate or the East Yorkshire Coast from the main bus station.
Next to the bus station is the coach station, where you can take a coach to different destinations across Great Britain. These are usually run by National Express. They usually take longer than the train but often work out much cheaper. Find out more on the National Express website.
National Express from Leeds Coach Station
Buying bus tickets
You buy bus tickets from the driver when you get on the bus. Keep your ticket safe for the whole journey because sometimes there will be a conductor on the bus who will want to check you have a ticket.
There are cheaper options for children, students and older people. If you want to make lots of journeys or travel regularly you can buy daily, weekly and monthly passes. These can be purchased on the bus or online, sometimes with a small discount for buying online.
First Bus Tickets and Passes
Arriva Bus Tickets and Passes
West Yorkshire Metro Tickets and Passes
Using the Train
Leeds Train Station is the main train station in Leeds city centre and has several entrances, including 2 opposite City Square (look for the Queen’s Hotel) and a South entrance next to the River Aire and Leeds to Liverpool Canal. The train station is near to the main shopping area and many Leeds buses stop outside or nearby.
If you are using a bus to get to the train station you can ask the bus driver before you buy your ticket if they will stop at or near the train station and to tell you when you arrive.
Leeds Train Station address: New Station St, Leeds LS1 4DY
Using Leeds Train Station
You can find out more about Leeds Train Station on the Network Rail website, including how to get there, parking and disabled access:
The website also includes a useful map of the Leeds Train Station and where to find the facilities and platforms
There are also train stations in local areas including: Bramley, Burley Park, Cottingley, Crossgates, Garforth, New Garforth, Headingley, Horsforth, Morley, New Pudsey.
You can find a map of the stations in Leeds and Yorkshire here:
West Yorkshire Network Rail Map
Train tickets and timetables
You can travel all over the country from Leeds Train Station including London, Scotland and Wales. Many of the trains are direct; others may involve one or more changes.
You must make sure you have a valid ticket for travel. There are automatic barriers to check tickets before you reach the train platforms. Tickets are usually checked on trains as well. If you don’t have a valid ticket you risk being fined.
You can buy train tickets in advance as well as find out times and routes online on the National Rail and Trainline websites:
You can also buy tickets and get travel advice in the station, although tickets are often cheaper if you buy them in advance.
