Leeds

Leeds – gateway to Yorkshire, University town, Up North; with nightlife, a thriving music scene, and even a Harvey Nicks’; and, it’s an up-and-coming UK CS city (yay!). So get here!

Leeds CS Google Map

CS in Leeds

CS is taking off in Leeds – membership is growing, there are more and more events and happenings, and more visitors too. The Leeds group is our online discussion space where you can read about what’s happening, ask questions, and even start doing your own organising. If you live in or around Leeds, it’s a really good idea to get involved in the group. If you’re just visiting, have a read to see what’s on when you’re here (you could even ask us to do something in your honour!).

Finding a Couch in Leeds

• Please do not post to the Leeds group asking for a couch, unless it is a real emergency. CouchSearch should always be your first starting point.
• Please share the love – one or two hosts tend to get bombarded with requests, while there are others who don’t have as much CS experience but would love to have you.
• Consider extending your search to a wider radius, or searching for nearby towns like Halifax and Hebden Bridge. West Yorkshire is really scenic! The city of Bradford is also a short bus/train ride from Leeds, and there are a small bunch of CSers there.

Not Got Couch???

If your couch falls through at the very last minute, we have an email list of emergency couches. We really do mean emergencies though – its not a cheat sheet! So if your really desperate, send an email to emergencycsleeds[at]googlemail.com and your will receive a list back of CS members who you can contact at short notice. However please remember to leave a bit of time for the emergency contact to check out your profile before they agree to host you!

Leeds CS Zone

COMING SOON TO LEEDS WE HOPE!

We are currently working on creating the first CS zone in Leeds, the second in the UK (if no one else beats us to it!) The Zone will be a safe place for CS to meet, hang out and be welcomed. Hopefully attracting some discount benefits too!

The Leeds Zone, along with the other Zones worldwide, will have a unique profile so we can keep you up to date with whats happening at the Zone. Also in the near future you will be able to search for any zones in the cities you plan to visit; so you know where you will always find a warm welcome!

If anyone wants to help us create the zone in Leeds, please get in touch with one of the Leeds group moderators. Thanks.

For more information on CS Zones visit: Couchsurfing Zones

Leeds Tips

Internet

There are NO internet cafes in Leeds city centre, so its vital that you arrive with your host’s details written down/printed out – don’t plan on checking CS or your email when you arrive! There are a few wifi spots (often in chain pubs) if you are travelling with a laptop.

Hostels

If you really can’t find a host and need to check into a hostel … you’ll also be out of luck because there aren’t any either (business opportunity here!). This means you’ll need to spend a little bit more on a hotel or B&B. The cheapest option is Etap, near the coach station, which is £35 a room per night, and can sleep up to 3 people.

Tourist Information

The tourist information office can be found at the city train station, where there is wealth of knowledge and ideas for things to see and do in and around Leeds / West Yorkshire.

Tel: 0113 242 52 42

Open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 - 17:30 and Sunday 10:00 - 16:00

Other Tourist Info places in our area: Tourist Info Centres

See also: Yorkshire Tourist Board

See also: Leeds Live It Love It

Getting Around

By Rail

All lines lead to Leeds. You can easily get here by train from pretty much anywhere in the UK. For help/advice about booking train tickets, see the transport section on the UK page. The train station is right in the city centre. There are a lot of platforms and it can be a bit daunting, but getting in/out/around is well signposted, and if worst comes to worst, follow everyone else and you’ll end up getting to the exit! Important – keep your ticket! Ticket barriers are now in operation, so you'll need a valid ticket to put through them! From the front of the station, there is a taxi rank, and a lot of buses pass through. There are bus stop maps outside, so they’ll tell you exactly where to go to catch the one you need.

By Coach

The main coach station is still central, but it is away from the train station. Most brands of coach pass through. Again, the UK page can help you find and book buses.

Getting Buses in Leeds

Leeds is well serviced for local buses. If you are planning on more than one trip in a day, it is best value to get a day pass (£2.70). You can also get weekly passes for the green line, or for West Yorkshire as a whole (these can often be better value than separate day passes, even if you are staying for less than a week). The West Yorkshire Rover passes are good if you are getting a lot of buses and trains – for a day pass, £5.50 for one adult or £8 for two – these will allow you to get any bus or train throughout West Yorkshire. There's also a Free City Bus that does a circular loop around the city centre, past the bus/coach station, train station, then the hospital, Leeds Met and down one of Leeds' main shopping streets, The Headrow. It runs Mon-Sat, 7am-7pm, and is every 6-10 mins.

Taxis

Private hire taxis are cheaper than black cabs, though you need to ring ahead and book a private hire. Taxis will also be more expensive late at night than during the day.

Arriving from Leeds Bradford Airport

It may be called Leeds Bradford, but the airport is not as connected as it should be. Mon-Sat you can get the 757 from just outside (the stand is clearly marked) but it's a regular bus service (not a shuttle bus) and only runs every half hour, taking about 40mins to get to Leeds, £2.50. On Sundays it's only every hour. Taxis to/from the centre range from £12-£20, so it's worth waiting for a bus.

Things To Do

• Leeds Art Gallery
• Shopping in Briggate and around
• Henry Moore Institute
• Royal Armouries
• Kirkstall Abbey ruins
• Kirkgate Market
• The Corn Exchange
• Temple Newsam
• Harewood House
• Thackray Medical Museum
• West Yorkshire Playhouse
• Brudenell Social Club, plus loads of other gig venues
• Come to one of our events!:

Click to View Calendar

Eating & Drinking

Fed for a Fiver

Good places to get a decent lunch/tea for no more than a fiver: Good places to get a decent lunch/tea for no more than a fiver:

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

SERIOUS EMERGENCIES

In any serious emergency, requiring the police, medical attention or fire services, always dial 999 and state clearly which service you require. This is free from any payphone, mobile or landline and often works even when you have no network coverage!

Please see our main Leeds Emergencies page for lots more useful emergency information such as: Police, Hospitals, Medical Advice, Walk In Centres, Embassies, Legal Advice etc.