Matchday at Elland Road: getting there, pubs and the way back

Elland Road sits in Beeston, about two miles south-west of the city centre, hard up against the M1, M62 and M621 junctions. The postcode is LS11 0ES. Here is how to get there, where to have a pint and how to get home.

Getting to Elland Road

The R2 shuttle from Sovereign Street

For most people this is the easy one. The R2 runs on most home matchdays from Sovereign Street, outside Café Nero, which is an 8-minute walk from Leeds station. The first bus leaves 150 minutes before kick-off. Fares for 2025/26 were £3 single and £5 return, or £1.50 and £2.50 for under-19s and concession pass holders. Check the fares again for the new season. Single tickets are only sold after the game, for the journey back from the ground. First Bus has the details.

Normal service buses

Services 51 and 52 leave from Corn Exchange, stop D on Vicar Lane. Services 55 and 55C leave from City Square, stop G on Park Row. The stops outside the ground are called Leeds United Stadium, and they are suspended from one hour before to one hour after a home match.

On foot

Allow roughly 35 to 60 minutes from the station, depending on who you ask and how quickly you walk. The distance is somewhere between 1.5 and 2 miles. LNER says regular buses take about 30 minutes and a taxi about 10. The nearest station is Cottingley, but most fans start from Leeds station. LNER's guide covers the options.

Driving and park and ride

Car parks at the ground are prioritised for season ticket holders and members with a valid match ticket. It is first come, first served, one space per supporter, and cars and motorcycles cost £13 including a £1 booking fee. Park and ride has to be booked online in advance, with no matchday walk-ups. The ST1 runs to Stourton and the TG1 to Temple Green, both from behind the North Stand. Shuttles start 2.5 hours before kick-off. Temple Green has a height limit of 2.35m and does not run for Sunday home games. The full rundown is on the club's travel page.

Pubs near the ground

The Old Peacock, Elland Road

Directly opposite the stadium and run by Ossett Brewery. The Yorkshire Evening Post calls it Leeds United's unofficial pub, and it has a large beer garden. Order a pint of Ossett beer, or the Thai food if you want something proper first. Ossett Brewery's page has the rest. It is a traditional meeting point, so expect it to be busy.

The Old White Hart, Town Street, Beeston

A big two-roomed local with cask ale, pool, darts and live sport. Football Ground Guide says it is a favourite with fans who get there early. It is a good call if you would rather be in a proper community pub than a crowd.

The Whistlestop, Town Street, Beeston

Yorkshire Evening Post readers rated it for a warm welcome and great staff. Tripadvisor describes a traditional pub a stone's throw from the ground, with live sport and a beer garden.

Billy's Sports Bar, South Stand

Inside the ground and named after Billy Bremner, with TVs lining the bar. It is also where the stadium tours start. Access on matchdays is restricted, so do not plan your day around walking in.

Pubs in town

The Moot Hall Arms, Mill Hill

The Yorkshire Evening Post readers' clear favourite for a pre-match pint. It is a Leeds United pub, full of flags, scarves and signed shirts. It gets very busy, so arrive early.

Whitelock's Ale House, Turk's Head Yard, off Briggate

Not a football pub as such, but a cracking place for the pint after. Leeds' oldest pub dates from 1715 and sits down an alley off Briggate. Football Ground Guide recommends it for cask ales and pub food. Visit Leeds lists 14 draught beers.

Away fans

Howards Bar by the away turnstiles is for away supporters with a valid ticket. Guides from other clubs differ on what else is open for visiting fans, so away supporters should check their own club's guide.

Getting back into town

The R2 runs back to Sovereign Street after the match, and the £3 single is only sold after the game. Check the return frequency on the day. The club says park and ride return buses leave straight after the final whistle on a fill and go basis, and the last one leaves 25 minutes after full time. Service buses 51, 52, 55 and 55C can be used once the stop suspension ends an hour after the game.

If you would rather wait out the queues, a pint back at Whitelock's makes a better plan than standing at a bus stop.

Before you go

Check kick-off times, bus timings and pub opening hours on the day. They change with the fixture.