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 06:30 and 08:43.
From 19 May 2025, an additional five southbound departures to London King’s Cross feature in the timetable, leaving Bradford at 11:17, 13:17; 15:16; 17:16 and 19:15 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, making it possible for customers to enjoy a day trip to the city as it marks its special year as culture capital. From May, the first northbound service is due to leave London King’s Cross at 07:03 meaning visitors will arrive in Bradford before 10:00. 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. Customers can sign up for ticket alerts to be advised of the latest updates.
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 delighted 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 £4 million per year of economic value.”
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “I’m delighted 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.”
The 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, said: “We’re delighted 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.”
Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said: “This is brilliant news for the North and passengers travelling between Bradford and London, who are set to benefit from smoother, more frequent journeys from May.
“The new government-funded platform at Forster Square station will make sure as many people as possible can visit Bradford and be able to enjoy everything this great city has to offer as it celebrates being the UK’s City of Culture for 2025.”
On top of the additional services between Bradford Forster Square and London King’s Cross, LNER recently welcomed the announcement of a new transformational industry timetable for its East Coast route. The new timetable, which will be introduced in December 2025, will see extra services and thousands of extra seats between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and London King’s Cross, as well as faster journey times between Edinburgh and London, cutting travel time between the two capitals to close to four hours.
