Coach and Minibus Hire in the United Kingdom

Leeds Coach Hire for Organisers

Leeds does not charge vehicles to enter, but it has few places for a coach to stop. Plan the drop points and the parking first, then build the day around them.

No charge in Leeds, one next door

There is no Clean Air Zone charge in Leeds. Bradford is different. Its Class C zone charges non-compliant coaches, minibuses, taxis, vans and lorries within the Bradford outer ring road, the ring road included, plus a corridor up the Aire valley to Shipley and Saltaire.

That matters for a Saltaire visit, about 13 miles from Leeds. A coach that does not meet Bradford's standard pays the charge. Check the vehicle before you confirm.

Mercedes-Benz 59-seat coach, exterior
Mercedes-Benz 59-seat coach, exterior

Six spaces and one coach park

The city centre has only six coach set-down spaces, spread across Lower Briggate, Kirkgate, Great George Street and Edward Street. Tell the operator which one you want for each stop, and have a second choice ready.

The coach park at Wade Lane / Lovell Park Road takes about 12 coaches. It is paid from 08:30 to midnight, every day of the week.

Airports serving Leeds

Stadiums and arenas

  • Elland Road — Leeds United
  • Headingley Stadium — Yorkshire County Cricket Club and England cricket; Leeds Rhinos rugby league
  • first direct arena — City-centre arena for concerts and events
  • Leeds Grand Theatre — Opera North, touring shows

Day trips and transfers from Leeds

  • Saltaire — about 13 miles, about 35 min
  • Harrogate — about 16 miles, about 40 min
  • Yorkshire Sculpture Park — about 20 miles, about 30 min
  • Haworth (Brontë Parsonage) — about 22 miles, about 50 min
  • York — about 25 miles, about 45 min
  • Skipton (Yorkshire Dales) — about 27 miles, about 50 min
  • Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal — about 30 miles, about 50 min
  • Castle Howard — about 40 miles, about 1 h

Coach rules in Leeds

  • Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is about 9 miles by road north-west of the city centre, about 25 min in light traffic and longer at peak times.
  • Leeds has no charging Clean Air Zone; neighbouring Bradford has a Class C zone covering buses, coaches, minibuses, taxis, vans and HGVs (not private cars) inside and including the Bradford outer ring road and along the Aire valley corridor to Shipley and Saltaire.
  • City-centre coach parking for about 12 coaches is at Wade Lane / Lovell Park Road; it is paid 08:30 to midnight, seven days a week.
  • Coach drop-off and pick-up points: Great George Street (1 space), Kirkgate (2), Edward Street (1) and Lower Briggate (2).

Grounds, arenas and the airport

Headingley hosts Test cricket and the Leeds Rhinos; Elland Road is Leeds United's home. After the final whistle or the last ball, the roads around both fill fast, so allow extra time for the trip back.

For a conference at the Royal Armouries on Leeds Dock or a concert at the first direct arena, ask the venue where coaches set down. The council list covers only the four streets named above.

From Leeds station to Leeds Bradford Airport is about 9 miles, some 25 minutes with light traffic. The airport names no coach pickup point and no coach park. Ask how and where the driver will meet the group before you confirm.

Dales, abbeys and York

York is about 45 minutes. Skipton and Fountains Abbey are each about 50 minutes. Castle Howard is about an hour, so a morning there and an afternoon in York fits a normal driving day. The Yorkshire Sculpture Park, about 30 minutes, makes an easy half day for a school group.

Questions

Is there anywhere to park a coach all day in central Leeds?

Yes: Wade Lane / Lovell Park Road, with room for around a dozen coaches. On a busy day, confirm there is space before the driver heads there.

Do we pay a charge going to Saltaire?

Possibly. Saltaire sits on the Aire valley corridor of Bradford's zone, which includes coaches and minibuses. A compliant vehicle pays nothing.

How far is Harrogate?

About 16 miles, roughly 40 minutes. The Great Yorkshire Showground is there, so it suits show visitors and exhibitors as well as a day out.

Other charter services

Vehicles