The information on this page is intended as guidance only. We recommend checking the links to transport providers' websites for the most up-to-date information on departure times and ticket prices.
Bus
A regular coach (bus) service runs directly from Heathrow Airport to St Margaret’s Bus Station in Leicester. The current service runs approximately every hour, with the first bus at 07.30 and the last bus at 23.45. The journey takes around three hours, but may take longer during peak times. Check timetables, prices and other details at National Express.
It’s generally cheaper to buy your ticket in advance online. You’ll need to book the time of your bus departure and we suggest allowing 3 hours between your scheduled flight arrival time and the time of your bus departure.
Buying a ticket when you arrive at the airport will usually cost around £45.
If you are arriving at Terminals 2 or 3, follow the signs for the Central Bus Station, which is a few minutes' walk from these terminals. You can buy coach tickets at the travel centre in the bus station. The bus station is open 24 hours a day and the travel centre (ticket office) opens from 06.00 until 22.30. There are also ticket machines at the bus station.
If you are arriving at Terminal 4 or Terminal 5 you will find a National Express desk in the arrivals area in the terminal building.
On arrival at St Margaret’s Bus Station in Leicester, we suggest taking a taxi for the journey to your accommodation. You will see a rank of black taxis near the coach stop. The taxi fare to the DMU campus would usually cost between £5 and £10.
Taxis
A pre-arranged taxi from Heathrow Airport to DMU would usually cost around £200. If more than one of you are travelling together this might be a good option because you could share the cost.
There are a number of Leicester taxi companies with whom you can book advance pick-ups. You will need to make your own arrangements directly with the taxi company and pay the driver yourself in cash. We have included links to 3 companies below, though you can find others by searching online. Please note that these companies are not endorsed by DMU in any way. Should you choose to use one of these companies it is entirely at your own risk and any liability is expressly disclaimed by DMU.
Please be aware that using a taxi waiting at the airport will usually be much more expensive than a taxi that you have booked in advance.
Train
You can also travel from Heathrow to Leicester by train, although the journey is more complicated as it is not direct, and you will need to travel into central London first. This will probably be less convenient, particularly if you have heavy luggage to carry. The train will usually be more expensive than using the National Express coach service.
If you decide you want to take the train, you'll first need to travel to King’s Cross St-Pancras station. The simplest way to do this is to take the Underground service - the Piccadilly Line service travels directly from the airport to the railway station, although this part of the journey will usually take around an hour. Taking the Heathrow Express instead should be quicker, however you'll still need to change onto the Underground system for part of your journey - your trip will also be more expensive.
You can plan your journey and check ticket prices at Transport for London.
At King’s Cross-St Pancras underground station follow the signs for St Pancras mainline station. A single ticket for Leicester should cost approximately £75 if you travel at an Off-Peak time; at busy times on weekdays it will cost more than this. Trains from St Pancras to Leicester run approximately every 30 minutes and the journey time is approximately one hour and 20 minutes (though some services are quicker than this). For the latest train timetables and prices check the National Rail website.
On arrival at Leicester station, we suggest taking a taxi to your accommodation. A taxi from the station to the DMU campus would usually cost between £5 and £10.