Travel in Leicestershire
Public transport in Leicestershire includes buses, trains and planes. Users of public transport are expected not to cause damage or behave in a way that offends other passengers. If you do not have your own transport or you have difficulty getting around, one of the community transport schemes might be able to help.
For information about community transport in Leicester, call 0116 221 1435. Leicestershire services can be found on www.leicestershire.gov.uk/
new_servicepagestheme.htm?initial=&pid=272&theme=T6 and for information about services in Rutland go to www.rutland.gov.uk/pp/service/
detail.asp?id=2387.
Trains
Leicester Railway Station is on the mainline route from London to Nottingham, Sheffield, Leeds and other destinations (East Midlands Trains). Cross Country Trains also connect Leicester to Birmingham and the West Midlands as well as destinations to the East. There are major railway stations in Loughborough, Market Harborough, Oakham (Rutland), Hinckley and Melton Mowbray. You can find out about trains from the National Rail Enquiries service.
You might be eligible for a railcard which would entitle you to cheaper tickets. Tickets are usually bought before you get on the train.
You can buy rail tickets at stations or online at www.nationalrail.co.uk. You will need to keep your ticket for the duration of your journey. It is not legal to smoke in trains or buses, or on a rail station platform as this is seen as an enclosed public space.
Buses
Bus routes cover most of Leicestershire, and are run by many different companies. The main routes between Leicester and the major towns usually have frequent services, but some of the remoter villages only have a few buses that go to them each day, or even only one each way. You can find out about buses from Traveline.
Free timetables are available from bus stations, libraries or tourist information centres. Some information is also available at bus stops. Some bus routes use the ‘star track' system, which means that bus stops will have electronic displays telling you how long you will be waiting before the next bus arrives. To catch a bus, wait at the correct stop and put your hand out to tell the driver to stop. You can buy tickets from the driver, but try to have the right money. You will need to keep your ticket for the duration of your journey.
Information on local buses in Leicestershire can be found on the internet by clicking on www.leics.gov.uk/index/highways/public_transport/bus_train_services/
bus_services.htm.
There are coach services from bus stations in the area to cities and airports across the UK. You can find out about coaches at www.nationalexpress.com.
Planes
East Midlands Airport is situated near Castle Donington in North West Leicestershire (about 20-25 miles from Leicester). You can fly from here to other UK destinations as well as many destinations in Europe and wider afield. European destinations include Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, Gdansk, Lodz and Wroclaw (Poland), Prague (Czech Republic), Plovdiv, Bourgas and Varna (Bulgaria), Riga (Latvia), Budapest (Hungary) and Bratislava (Slovakia). Other major national and international airports are relatively close including Birmingham, London Luton and London Stansted.
Taxis
Taxis are generally 
more expensive than buses or trains, unless several people share a journey. They often wait in taxi ranks outside stations or in central areas of main towns. Alternatively, you can ring a local taxi company and book a taxi. Taxis are not allowed to drive around looking for customers, and must be licensed, showing a small licence plate on the back. They have their rates fixed by Local Authorities,