How to travel from London to Manchester

Wed, Apr 01
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Avanti West Coast
National Express
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Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for London to Manchester

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $11. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 38m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $11, and a flight costs an average of $73.

Distance: 162 miles (262 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Flight

$80

Average price

$25

Average price

Cheapest

$220

Average price

3h 48m

Average total duration

3h 18m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 7m

Average total duration

3h 37m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 38m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 38m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.3 - 0.7kg

CO2 emissions

0.8 - 1.6kg

CO2 emissions

Avanti West Coast

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

British Airways

Most popular airline

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Travel options
from London to Manchester

How to get from London to Manchester by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from London to Manchester is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    8:40 AM4h10
    London, Finchley Road ("Subway" restaurant)
    12:50 PMManchester, Shudehill Interchange
    $341One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • National ExpressNX540
    11:00 AM5h35
    London, Victoria Coach Station
    4:35 PMManchester, Coach Station
    $261One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • British AirwaysBA1378
    8:50 PM0h55
    London Heathrow Airport
    9:45 PMManchester Airport
    $3081One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • West Midlands TrainsW05515+Transport for WalesL64807
    8:46 AM3h27
    London Euston (EUS)
    12:13 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)
    $481One-way
    1 transfer
  • Avanti West CoastW02620
    8:13 AM2h06
    London Euston (EUS)
    10:19 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)
    $731One-way
    0 transfers
  • Avanti West CoastL02235
    8:53 AM2h12
    London Euston (EUS)
    11:05 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)
    $791One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    8:00 AM4h50
    London, Victoria Coach Station
    12:50 PMManchester, Shudehill Interchange
    $341One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    10:10 AM4h10
    London, Finchley Road ("Subway" restaurant)
    2:20 PMManchester, Shudehill Interchange
    $351One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    7:40 AM3h55
    London, Finchley Road ("Subway" restaurant)
    11:35 AMManchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East
    $341One-way
    0 transfers
  • British AirwaysBA1368
    2:25 PM1h05
    London Heathrow Airport
    3:30 PMManchester Airport
    $3081One-way
    0 transfers
  • British AirwaysBA1358
    6:55 AM1h00
    London Heathrow Airport
    7:55 AMManchester Airport
    $3091One-way
    0 transfers
  • British AirwaysBA1380
    9:50 PM0h55
    London Heathrow Airport
    10:45 PMManchester Airport
    $3081One-way
    0 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights

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How to travel from London to Manchester?

Each year, thousands of individuals make week the trip from London to Manchester, as Manchester is home to several fun destinations such as Manchester Museum, Heaton Museum, and the renowned Old Trafford. As Manchester is home to a number of wonderful destinations, if you’ve been looking for a place you can head to for a weekend trip or even a long vacation, this city is one you should consider visiting.

If you decide to travel from London to Manchester, there are various means of transport you can travel with. These means include buses, trains, and flights. Onboard a flight, your travel time from London to Manchester will be 1h 05min. If you choose to travel via train, your London to Manchester travel time will be 2h 06min. If you prefer traveling to Manchester from London, you’ll complete the 216.9 miles (349 km) between the two cities in roughly 5h 10min.

What is the cheapest way to get from London to Manchester?

The cost of tickets from London to Manchester varies from one means of transport to another. If you’d like to travel to Manchester from London cheaply, it’s in your best interest to travel by bus, as this is the cheapest way to travel from London to Manchester. Two companies, Megabus and National Express, offer several low-cost coaches that ply the London to Manchester route.

It’s worth noting that all buses to Manchester from London usually depart the country’s capital at Victoria Coach Station. However, they have different arrival stations. If you choose to board a coach operated by Megabus, your arrival station will be Shudehill Interchange. If, on the other hand, you choose to board a coach operated by National Express, your arrival station will be Manchester Coach Station.

What is the fastest way to travel from London to Manchester?

The fastest way to travel from London to Manchester is by flight. Onboard one of the fast flights to Manchester from London, you’ll reach Manchester in just over an hour. Various airports in London have flights that fly to Manchester. They include London City Airport, Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Luton Airport, and London Stansted Airport.

In Manchester, your flight will either land at Bradford Airport or Manchester Airport. British Airways and Finnair Airlines are the air travel companies with direct flights that cover this route. Given that both offer multiple direct flights on a daily basis, it’s safe to say that you can easily find a direct flight to Manchester from London that departs at a time you’re comfortable with.

Find the best tickets from London to Manchester and book with Omio

To find cheap mobile one-way tickets and round-trip tickets, you should make a point of visiting Omio. Omio is an online booking platform that is considered by many individuals to be one of the best in the industry. If you choose to book from Omio, you’ll have access to various tickets as many travel companies have their tickets on sale on this platform. You’ll also be able to scan all the travel options available for your route at a glance. Given that its website can be translated into various languages, you can easily book your preferred ticket in your language. To get to discover more travel tips, do not hesitate to check out the Omio magazine.

London Bridge People. Source: Shutterstock

Trains from London to Manchester

Trains from London to Manchester are operated by Avanti West Coast. Owned by FirstGroup and Trenitalia, Avanti West Coast has been providing the trains from London to Manchester since its founding, on 8th December 2019. Currently, the company has quite a number of trains servicing the route daily. All these trains depart from London Euston Station to Manchester and they stop at the city’s well-known Manchester Piccadilly. As most of these trains have no changes, if you’d like to travel from London to Manchester on a direct train, you’re in luck.

Train travel from London to Manchester with Avanti West Coast

Choosing to travel in one of Avanti West Coast’s London to Manchester trains would be a wise decision. This is because, in one, you’ll be afforded a comfortable seat, remarkable food and drinks, free Wi-Fi, and onboard entertainment. As a company, Avanti West Coast aims to cater to all. Thus, it has made all of its trains accessible even to the disabled, bikers, and even pet owners. This being the case, if you’re disabled, a bike owner would like to travel with his/her bike, or a pet owner who would like to travel with his/her pet, this company has got you covered.

Buses from London to Manchester

The London to Manchester price for buses is normally low. Given that the number of people who travel to Manchester from London during the weekdays is quite high, the number of buses that serve this route during this period of the week is approximately 30. The first bus usually leaves the station at about 12:30 a.m., while the last one usually leaves the station at about 10:00 p.m. It’s essential to note that during the weekend, the number of buses plying this route usually reduces, as the number of passengers who travel from London to Manchester during this period is normally low.

Traveling by bus from London to Manchester with Megabus or National Express

Buses to London from Manchester are usually provided by Megabus and National Express. If you decide to travel on a bus operated by one of these companies, you’ll have a safe journey, as both only employ well-trained and experienced bus drivers. You’ll also have an enjoyable time as you’ll be able to view the scenic attractions found along the Manchester-London road.

Manchester Castlefield. Source: Shutterstock

Flights from London to Manchester

British Airways, Finnair Airlines, and easyJet are the airlines that have flights from London to Manchester. Both British Airways and Finnair Airlines have direct flights that serve the route everyday day of the week. easyJet, on the other hand, has plenty of one-stop flights from London to Manchester. This being the case, if you’d like to fly to Manchester from London, and you wouldn’t mind a brief layover, EasyJet has got you covered.

Flying from London to Manchester with British Airways/Finnair Airlines/easyJet

All the airlines that offer flights to Manchester from London have friendly staff. Thus, aboard one of their flights, you’re bound to be well catered to. Given that all these airlines have modern and spacious airplanes, it’s fair to state that if you’re a fan of sustainable travel and comfortability, these airlines have got you covered.

To Manchester by train/ bus/ flight—travel tips

Every year, Manchester is flocked by thousands of tourists. This is primarily because this city has several amazing destinations. If you’re a fan of the outdoors, there are plenty of destinations that are worth visiting in this city. They include Rochdale Canal, Platt Fields Park, Clifton Country Park, and Tandle Hill.

If you plan on touring this city with your kids, there are also plenty of kid-friendly destinations you can pay a visit to. They include Rock Over Climbing, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, National Football Museum, and Piccadilly Gardens. Additionally, if you love food, there are numerous superb restaurants you can dine at. Some of the notable restaurants in Manchester include Bill’s Spinningfields Restaurant and Gaucho.

How to Travel from London to Manchester

The journey from London to Manchester is convenient for travelers in the UK whether you choose to travel by bus, train or plane. Depending on the mode of transit and time of departure, journey times from London to Manchester vary between 2 and 5 hours. Key departure points in London include Victoria bus station, Euston train station, and London Heathrow airport.

Trains from London to Manchester | Buses from London to Manchester | Flights from London to Manchester

London to Manchester Travel Comparison

Average Price

Travel Time

Cheapest Time to Book

buses

€15

4:25 h

1 Month Ahead

trains

€59

2:07 h

2 Months Ahead

flight

€159

1:00 h

2 Months Ahead



What is the best way to travel from London to Manchester?

Cheapest way to travel from London to Manchester


cheap

Taking the bus is the cheapest way to travel from London to Manchester. Buses traveling from London to Manchester depart from London's Victoria bus station and take at least 4:25 h to arrive at Manchester Coach station. Approximately 30 buses travel from London to Manchester per day, with the first departing London at 12:30 a.m. Weekend buses are offered more infrequently. National Express is the main bus company that travels from London to Manchester.


Fastest way to travel from London to Manchester


fast

Taking a flight is technically the fastest way to travel from London to Manchester; however, when travel time to and from London and Manchester's airports is taken into consideration taking a train is actually the fastest way to travel between the two city centers. Flights traveling from London to Manchester can depart from either London's Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Luton, or Stansted airport and arrive at either Leeds/Bradford airport or Manchester airport after an hour of flight time. British Airways usually offers 8 direct flights per day, with the first departing London at 7:10 a.m.


Most popular way to travel from London to Manchester


popular

Taking the train is the most popular way to travel from London to Manchester. Trains traveling from London to Manchester depart from London's Euston train station and take approximately 2 hours to arrive at Manchester's Picadilly train station. All trains that travel from London to Manchester are operated by Virgin Trains. Virgin Trains travel from London to Manchester approximately 10 times per day, with the first train departing London at 8:00 a.m.


How to get from London to Manchester

The Best Way According to our Users

Whether it is for business or leisure, in order to travel from London to Manchester, 63,52% of our customers choose the train as their preferred mode of transportation. By traveling by train on this route, you can enjoy the comfort of spacious seats, spectacular views—and in some cases free Wi-Fi—in both second and first class. Our customers have decided that the train is the best way to get from London to Manchester and have chosen to enjoy this fast, safe and efficient way to arrive at their destination. Taking the train also avoids long lines or potential expenses for transfers to/from the station—especially since most main railway stations are located in the city center. Train companies in Europe vary from country to country, but most of them offer high-speed train routes, therefore when you add up at the end-to-end journey time, the train is often also the fastest way to get to your destination.

Search on Omio to find cheap tickets from London to Manchester. It’s easy to find the most attractive prices and choose your preferred route for your journey. Book on web or app, and travel with your mobile ticket —without the stress of printing your ticket.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

FAQs: Travel from London to Manchester

Travel to Manchester easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from London to Manchester.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between London and Manchester including taking a train, bus, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from London to Manchester is a bus with an average price of $11 (€9).

This is compared to other travel options from London to Manchester:

A bus is $10 (€8) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to Manchester costing on average $21 (€17).

A bus is $62 (€50) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from London to Manchester costing on average $73 (€59).

The fastest way to travel from London to Manchester is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 5m.

Other travel options to Manchester take longer:

Train takes on average 2h 11m.

Bus takes on average 4h 10m.

The distance from London to Manchester is approximately 162 miles (262 km).
The average frequency per day from London to Manchester is:
  • Around 54 buses per day.
  • Around 12 flights per day.
  • Around 12 trains per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between London and Manchester as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from London to Manchester:
  • Flights mostly depart from London Heathrow Airport and arrive in Manchester Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from London Euston (EUS) and arrive in Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
  • Buses mostly depart from London, Victoria Coach Station and arrive in Manchester, Shudehill Interchange.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from London to Manchester, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with British Airways, KLM, BA Cityflyer to go to Manchester by flight.
  • Travel with Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains, East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry to go to Manchester by train.
  • Travel with National Express, Megabus, FlixBus, DoggioBus to go to Manchester by bus.
Yes, there are direct services available from London to Manchester with the following travel companies:
  • 8 direct trains per day with Avanti West Coast.
  • 52 direct buses per day with National Express, Megabus, FlixBus.
Omio customers who travel from London to Manchester often also extend their vacation to go to Liverpool, Paris, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Manchester and these popular destinations at a great price.
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