You can now bag £12 train tickets from London to a ‘vibrant’ UK city — cheapest in 20 years

Leeds art gallery is less than a 10-minute walk from the train station (Picture: Richard Klune/ Getty Images) If you’re planning a UK getaway, train travel to the north just got a hell of a lot cheaper. Travellers can now snap up £12 train tickets from London King’s Cross to a lively northern hub, with railcard holders able to secure seats for as little as £8. LNER, which connects over 50 stations, has launched a new trial offering super-low early-bird fares to Leeds in a bid to challenge coach prices. Running Monday through Friday, the £12 single fare applies to the 05:40 service from London King’s Cross to Leeds, with a matching night-owl £12 fare on the 21:10 return leg from Leeds to London King’s Cross. A return trip for only £24. Taking a little over two hours, the journey is half the time of a coach and marks the cheapest LNER fares seen between the two cities in nearly 20 years. Leeds Railway Station drops you right in the heart of the action, meaning no expensive taxis are needed upon arrival. Plus, with micro-trips growing in popularity, 15 hours in Leeds could be worth a go. ‘With our new super low fares, we’re taking on coach firms by offering a speedier alternative at an incredible price,’ David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. ‘There’s plenty to tempt Londoners to come back to Leeds again and again. So, if you’ve always thought of seeing what Leeds has to offer, now is the perfect time to do so.’ Leeds city centre is pedestrianised, making shopping more relaxing (Picture: Richard Klune/ Getty Images) ‘By improving access to Leeds and West Yorkshire, and encouraging more people to choose rail, this initiative supports our ambitions to boost tourism, attract visitors and support businesses across West Yorkshire,’ Tracey Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, added. Latest London news ‘These fantastic value fares provide even more reason for people to experience Leeds for themselves, making it easier than ever to enjoy everything our vibrant city has to offer,’ noted Belinda Eldridge, Head of Visit Leeds. What is there to do in Leeds? As someone who lived in Leeds for four years for uni, I like to think I know the city well. When I wasn’t worrying about my coursework or rushing around to find space in the library, I soaked up all this little city, home to less than 900,000 people, had to offer. Shopping Leeds city centre is home to several shopping centres and department stores, such as the Trinity Centre, with brands such as Urban Outfitters, Zara, and M&S, as well as more affordable options like Primark and H&M. Just up the road, there’s the Victoria Quarter, home to swanky designer boutiques such as Mulberry, Harvey Nichols and Coach, all housed in an elegant Victorian arcade with an Art Nouveau interior and a stained-glass roof that feels like stepping into a palace. Leeds is also home to Kirkgate Market, which is one of the largest indoor and covered markets in Europe. Hosting hundreds of independent businesses selling food, fashion, and hardware, the market hosted the very first Marks & Spencer penny bazaar in 1884. Dining The fun doesn’t stop there, with the city offering all manner of places to eat and knock back a few drinks. A must-try is Tharavadu, which has won over 10 awards, including Best Indian Restaurant by Oliver Awards 2015, 2016 & 2017, and being recommended in the Michelin Restaurant Guide 2015 & 2016. Leeds Kirkgate Market is 204-years-old (Picture: Ray Orton/Getty Images) Complete with a plate signed by University of Leeds alumni and former PM Sir Keir Starmer, Tharavadu offers traditional Kerala cooking at affordable prices, which will make you reluctant to return to London. For a quick daytime eat, check out Trinity Kitchen, which is perfect for street food lovers, as it hosts food vendors inside the Trinity Centre. My personal favourite for brunch is Laynes, only a couple of minutes from the train station, serving homemade bakes and delicious dishes, with daily freshly roasted coffee. Nightlife Being a university city, Leeds has pretty good nightlife, often ranked one of the best, with a wide variety of clubs, indie venues and cocktail bars. If you prefer a night with a view, Leeds is renowned for its vibrant rooftop bar scene. Places like Headrow House, Sky Lounge, and Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen (which serves up delicious in-house pizza) all pair city-wide views with fantastic cocktails, often with 2-4-1 deals to maximise your budget and your drinking. For an evening of fun and games, Leeds is truly spoilt for choice. Pixel Bar offers cocktails with gaming and arcades, or you can try your hand at crazy golf at Junkyard Golf Club, beer pong at Roxy Ball Room, and darts at Flight Club. Plus, take a trip down to the Freedom Quarter, the main hub for LGBTQ+ nightlife and culture in Leeds, and a filming spot for Heartstopper Forever. Culture Taking place on October 28 and 29, the annual Light Night Leeds turns Leeds City Centre into a vast, open-air gallery with free entry to all outdoor art displays and projections across multiple indoor and outdoor zones with light art, interactive installations, and cultural performances. If you’re planning a festive trip, the annual Christmas markets in the city centre host food stalls, an ice skating rink, and fairground rides. For a culture-filled stop, head to Leeds Art Gallery, located less than a 10-minute walk from the station. Free to enter, it houses an impressive collection of modern and contemporary British art. Leeds Christmas Market is a must-visit (Picture: Flavio Vallenari/Getty Images) London might have its charms, but Leeds offers the perfect blend of culture, atmosphere, and unbeatable nightlife; all the ingredients for a top-tier city break, without the eye-watering price tag. And with £12 train tickets now on the table, there’s never been a better time to head north and discover why this Yorkshire favourite deserves a spot at the top of your travel wishlist. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Our Top Shopping Picks Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind Book Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Tignes for less in Club Med's ski sale Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale The viral LED face mask with over 350 lights that's currently discounted by £100 Arrow MORE: British Airways confirms suspended flight route won’t resume for another year Arrow MORE: Gang who left Heathrow passengers vomiting blood after tear gas attack jailed Arrow MORE: Putney Pusher suspect found dead after being released under investigation The Getaway Expert Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.