Getting Around, Leeds Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK)

Many regard Leeds as being one of the country's best-placed cities, since it offers easy transport connections to so much of the United Kingdom, being just under two and a half hours from the Scottish border, and around three and a half hours from London.

Within the city itself, visitors often choose to travel around via buses, operated by First (CityBus) and Metro (the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority). CityBus provides a useful circle service, looping much of the city throughout the day, connecting attractions such as the Clarence Dock, the Corn Exchange, the Headingley Cricket Ground, Roundhay Park, the Seacroft Shopping Centre and the White Rose Shopping Centre, as well as the neighbourhoods of Chapel Allerton, Holbeck, Lower Briggate and Riverside.

Leeds city centre itself is relatively easy to walk around on foot, with free maps being simple to come by, while if you are looking to travel further afield, then you can choose between rail transport and National Express coaches. For those who have brought or hired bicycles, the West Yorkshire Cycle Route is sure to be a holiday highlight.

Airports / Arriving by Air

Leeds is served by a number of airports, the closest and most convenient of which is Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBA). The various airports of London are also within reach, including Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted Airport (STN) and London City (LCY), being reachable by either train, National Express coach or car.

Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBA) Guide

Car Rental

This important city is situated at the crossroads of the M62 and M1, and within the vicinity of the busy A1 / M1 Link Road, and therefore has excellent connections to all directions. Leeds city centre operates a one-way travel system, known as the City Centre Loop. This system has clear road signs identifying local car parks and major tourist attractions. Each junction is named and numbered to ensure that you don't get confused.

Many tourists staying in Leeds choose to hire cars. Having your own set of wheels tends to be the best method of transport when travelling outside of the city, allowing you to explore the surrounding countryside and towns such as Clapham, Grassington, Halifax, Harrogate, Haworth, Holmfirth, Ilkley, Masham, Otley, Ripon, Skipton, Wetherby, Whitby and the nearby city of York.

There are plenty of parking garages and off-street parking areas available in Leeds, although some zones are restricted to residents only, meaning that parking permits may be required. Off-street parking is available at Beckett Street, Burley Road, Hunslet Lane, Maude Street, Meadow Lane, Quarry Hill, West Street and also Woodhouse Lane, where a multi-storey garage is available.

Book your Leeds Car Rental here.

By Foot

Leeds is well pedestrianised and one of the best ways to travel around the city centre is simply on foot. Within the metropolitan boundary of Leeds there are more than 1,200 recognised pathways and public rights of way, with just under 200 km / 124 miles of public bridleways and byways. The waterside trails around Kirkstall Abbey are particularly popular when the sun is shining at the weekend.

Buses

Address: Dyer Street, Leeds, LS2 7HU, England
Tel: +44 (0) 113 245 7676
The city's bus station is situated next to Kirkage Market, in the heart of the city centre and just off St. Peter's Street. A new Bus Interchange has recently opened and this is located outside of the front entrance of Leeds Station, comprising five new bus stands and covered taxi waiting areas. The Bus Interchange is used by almost 100 buses each hour, while other useful bus points in Leeds include the Boar Lane Point and the nearby Infirmary Street Point. The station provides tourists with a convenient way to travel around the city and its various suburbs. Pre-paid passes are available for set periods and these can be particularly good value for travellers relying heavily upon bus transport.

Trains

Address: City Square, Leeds, LS1 1BA, England
Tel: +44 (0)845 748 4950
Leeds boasts a modern and efficient train station, as you would expect in this leading commercial centre in the north of England. The centrally located City Rail Station is located at the City Square, being close to Whitehall Quay and the Novotel Hotel. With around 70 regional trains, the railway station provides regular journeys and trains travel to many areas nearby Leeds, including Bradford, Halifax, Wetherby and York. This station is something of a major national public transport hub, being the second-busiest in the United Kingdom, connecting major cities throughout the country, including the capital city of London.

Metro DayRover

There are a large range of West Yorkshire DayRover tickets available in Leeds and these allow unlimited travel on the country's train and bus networks for the day, within the West Yorkshire area. These tickets offer you the freedom to choose how and when you intend to travel and are conveniently valid on both local buses and trains.

Taxis

Taxis in Leeds are often referred to as 'Hackney carriages' and these can be easily hailed from the street, being easy to spot by their illuminated roof signs. They also feature distinctive white bodywork, with black bonnets. Most will be able to accommodate up to four passengers, with the majority being able to comfortably transport most users of wheelchairs. Specially calibrated meters calculate the fare as you travel to your chosen destination, with a simple table of fares being on display to give you an idea of the pricing structure and the expected cost of your journey.

Bicycles

Increasing numbers of locals and visitors are choosing to use bicycles to travel around Leeds and the City Council has created a number of cycle routes, depicted on city maps. These routes include the Aire Valley Towpath, the Aireborough Greenway, the Transpennine Trail, the West Yorkshire Cycle Route, the Wetherby railway path and the Wyke Beck Way. Cycle trails also connect the city centre with various outlying neighbourhoods and suburbs, such as Alwoodley, Middleton and West Park, while the university's Kirkstall Brewery Halls of Residence and the Headingley Campus are also easy to reach by bike.