Bradford to get more daily trains to London
LNER is planning to more than triple its daily direct connections between Bradford and London King’s Cross from May 2025, operating seven services in each direction from Monday to Saturday.
The timetable change sees an additional five services in each direction, linking the 2025 UK City of Culture with the capital. LNER trains currently depart from Bradford Forster Square at 6.30am and 8.43am.
From 19 May 2025, an additional five southbound departures to London King’s Cross feature in the timetable, leaving Bradford at 11.17am, 1.17pm, 3.16pm, 5.16pm and 7.15pm from Monday to Saturday, with journey times taking approximately two-and-three-quarter hours.
The enhanced timetable also sees earlier departures from London King’s Cross to Bradford.
From May, the first northbound service is due to leave London King’s Cross at 7.03am meaning visitors will arrive in Bradford before 10am. Further direct services will continue throughout the day.
Sunday services are expected to double from one to two in each direction, with further enhancements planned in December. Tickets are expected to go on sale next month.
David Horne, managing director at LNER, said: “We are proud to be introducing additional services to and from Bradford, especially during the year it celebrates UK City of Culture status. We are pleased to be the official travel partner of Bradford 2025.
“The extra LNER services will make it even easier for people to visit the region and enjoy all it has to offer, while also benefiting the area by contributing an estimated £4m per year of economic value.”
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said: “I’m pleased the new platform at Forster Square, that we worked so hard to secure funding for, is providing this much-needed additional capacity meaning that LNER can more than triple its daily direct service to and from London.
“This increase in service will make it even easier for people to visit and join in the events and activities taking place across the district as we celebrate the district’s year as UK City of Culture.
“Having this extra connectivity also enables greater economic growth and access to opportunity for people from across the district and is another step in making sure we are better connected.”
Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “I’d encourage anyone to take advantage of these new services and see Bradford at its best in its UK City of Culture year.
“This is a great example of transport and culture working in harmony to inspire people, attract visitors to the region and grow our economy.
“Working with our partners, we’re building a stronger, brighter and better-connected West Yorkshire.”
Jason Hamilton, north and east route director for Network Rail, added: “We’re happy that the introduction of additional services between Bradford and London will be made possible by Network Rail’s delivery of the new platform 0 at Bradford Forster Square.
“We are working closely with LNER, Northern, Bradford City Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and the Department for Transport to complete the work for Bradford’s year as City of Culture 2025.”
