Leeds Bradford is Yorkshire's main aviation gateway, perched on a hilltop at over 200m above sea level — making it one of the highest commercial airports in the UK. It handles around 4 million passengers a year from a single terminal that is in the middle of a long-running expansion programme.

Carriers are dominated by Jet2 (whose largest single base is here), with Ryanair, easyJet, TUI and a handful of regional carriers making up the rest of the route map. Destinations are almost entirely short-haul European leisure plus a few UK domestic links.

The airport's elevation means it can be weather-affected in winter — fog, low cloud and the occasional snow event do disrupt operations more frequently than at lower-lying airports. Heated covered parking is unusually well-supplied here for that reason.

Getting to LBA

All the practical access info — by car, train, coach and otherwise.

By road

A658 from the A65 — signposted from the M62 (junction 27) and the A1(M) (junction 41). From Leeds city centre, allow 25–30 minutes; from Bradford, 25 minutes; from Harrogate, 20 minutes.

By rail

There's no rail station at the airport. The nearest is Horsforth, connected by the Flyer A1 bus (around 15 minutes).

By bus / coach

The Flyer A1 connects with Leeds Bus Station and the rail network via Rawdon, Horsforth and Kirkstall. National Express coaches run to Manchester, London and beyond.

Also worth knowing

A long-discussed rail link to the airport remains in planning — no service is currently in operation.

The parking landscape

How parking works at Leeds Bradford

Official car parks are Short Stay (next to the terminal), Mid Stay (5-minute walk) and Long Stay (5-minute shuttle). LBA also operates Premium and Meet-and-Greet options at the front of the terminal.

Off-airport operators cluster along the A658 and the surrounding back roads. Indoor and undercover lots are unusually well-represented here — a useful winter advantage given the elevation. Independent rates beat the airport's own long-stay by 25–45% on most stays.

Pro tips

Tips travellers wish they'd known

Winter travellers: prefer covered or undercover off-airport options. LBA's hilltop location means frost and snow are more common than at lower airports.
Drop-off is free for the first 10 minutes; charges apply beyond.
Independent meet-and-greet is competitive and often the cheapest total option for 4+ night trips.
The terminal has been progressively expanded over the past decade — confirm the layout if you've not flown from LBA in a few years.
Jet2 is the dominant carrier — its routes peak heavily in school-holiday weeks.

Frequently asked

LBA questions, answered

The questions our 24/7 team gets asked most about flying from Leeds Bradford.

Is there a train station at Leeds Bradford?+

No — the nearest station is Horsforth, connected by the Flyer A1 bus.

Does weather often disrupt flights?+

More than at lower-lying airports — fog and snow can cause delays in winter. Most flights operate normally, but check with your airline if conditions are poor.

Is parking cheap at LBA?+

Yes — both official and independent options are mid-priced compared to the UK average. Off-airport park-and-ride is the cheapest option for most stays.

How early should I arrive?+

Two hours for short-haul flights. The terminal can get busy during peak Jet2 departures — add 30 minutes during summer.

Can I leave my car for two weeks?+

Yes — both airport-operated and independent operators accept stays of up to 12 months.

Are there long-haul flights from LBA?+

No scheduled long-haul. Most long-haul travellers from Yorkshire connect via Manchester or Amsterdam.