4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Manchester to Edinburgh
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $21. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 56m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $21, and a flight costs an average of $135.
Distance: 175 miles (282 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$84 Average price | $49 Average price Cheapest | $176 Average price |
4h 31m Average total duration 4h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 47m Average total duration 5h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 56m Average total duration Fastest 2h 56m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.8 - 1.7kg CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |  Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Travel optionsfrom Manchester to Edinburgh
How to get from Manchester to Edinburgh by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Manchester to Edinburgh is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus · FlixBus1:00 PM8h45Manchester, Shudehill Interchange9:45 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station$541One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
- FlixBus · FlixBus1:00 PM8h45Manchester, Shudehill Interchange9:45 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station$541One-way1 transfer
Fastest
- BA1371 · BA14646:10 PM3h40Manchester Airport9:50 PMEdinburgh Airport$1801One-way1 transfer
Other options
- L36559+
C410559:13 AM4h19Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)1:32 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)$1101One-way1 transfer - L36553+Y119308:13 AM4h19Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)12:32 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)$1101One-way1 transfer
- L36562+C4111110:13 AM4h14Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2:27 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)$1101One-way1 transfer
NX170 · NX1839:55 AM7h20Manchester, Coach Station5:15 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station$591One-way1 transfer- FlixBus · FlixBus8:40 AM8h55Manchester, Shudehill Interchange5:35 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station$791One-way1 transfer
- NX171 · NX59111:10 AM7h25Manchester, Coach Station6:35 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station$801One-way1 transfer
- BA1369 · BA14644:45 PM5h05Manchester Airport9:50 PMEdinburgh Airport$1801One-way1 transfer
- BA1371 · BA14666:10 PM4h55Manchester Airport11:05 PMEdinburgh Airport$1801One-way1 transfer
- BA1369 · BA14664:45 PM6h20Manchester Airport11:05 PMEdinburgh Airport$1801One-way1 transfer
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
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
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General Information about the journey from Manchester to Edinburgh
Flying is the fastest method of travel between the two cities at just over an hour. Traveling by bus takes the longest amount of time at upwards of 5.5 hours. There are usually between one and three departure and arrival points.
Buses from Manchester to Edinburgh
National Express operate services between the cities, departing from Manchester Coach Station and arriving at Edinburgh Bus Station on Elder Street. There are usually five departures per day, one at around1:00 a.m., three between 8:00 a.m and 10:30 a.m. and one in the early afternoon. The journey takes between 5.5 hours and 8.5 hours, there are direct buses and those requiring one change available.
Trains from Manchester to Edinburgh
Trains leave from three stations in Manchester, Oxford Road, Deansgate and Piccadilly and all arrive at Waverley Station in Edinburgh. All trains are either direct routes or have a change at one station. Trains are run by Transpennine Express, Virgin Trains and Cross Country Trains. There are around 10 trains per day, they depart at least once every hour from approximately 9:00 a.m. until early afternoon. The journey takes between three and four hours.
Flights from Manchester to Edinburgh
How to Travel from Manchester to Edinburgh
Flying is the fastest method of travel between the two cities at just over an hour. Traveling by bus takes the longest amount of time at upwards of 5.5 hours. There are usually between one and three departure and arrival points.
What is the best way to travel from Manchester to Edinburgh?
Cheapest way to travel from Manchester to Edinburgh
The cheapest way from Manchester to Edinburgh is by bus. National Express operate services between the cities, departing from Manchester Coach Station and arriving at Edinburgh Bus Station on Elder Street. There are usually five departures per day, one at around 1:00 a.m., three between 8:00 a.m and 10:30 a.m. and one in the early afternoon. The journey takes between 5.5 hours and 8.5 hours, there are direct buses and those requiring one change available.
Fastest way to travel from Manchester to Edinburgh
Flights are the quickest way from Manchester to Edinburgh. Direct flights between the main airports in each city are available from Flybe. The flight takes just over an hour. During the week there are three flights, one each in the morning, afternoon and evening. At the weekend there are one or two flights in operation.
Trains are the most popular way to get from Manchester to Edinburgh. Services leave from three stations in Manchester, Oxford Road, Deansgate and Piccadilly and all arrive at Waverley Station in Edinburgh. All trains are either direct routes or have a change at one station. Trains are run by Transpennine Express, Virgin Trains and Cross Country Trains. There are around 10 trains per day, they depart at least once every hour from approximately 9:00 a.m. until early afternoon. The journey takes between three and four hours.
Direct flight between the main airports in each city are available from Flybe. The flight takes just over an hour. During the week there are three flights, one each in the morning, afternoon and evening. At the weekend there are one or two flights in operation.
How to get from Manchester to Edinburgh
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from Manchester to Edinburgh
Travel to Edinburgh 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 Manchester to Edinburgh.
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Edinburgh:
A bus is $7 (€6) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Edinburgh costing on average $29 (€23).
A bus is $114 (€93) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Edinburgh costing on average $135 (€110).
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 13m.
Bus takes on average 6h 11m.
- Around 16 flights per day.
- Around 13 trains per day.
- Around 13 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Manchester and Edinburgh as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Manchester Airport and arrive in Edinburgh Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Manchester Victoria (MCV) and arrive in Edinburgh Waverley (EDB).
- Buses mostly depart from Manchester, Coach Station and arrive in Edinburgh, Bus Station.
- Travel with Transpennine Express, Avanti West Coast, London North Eastern Railway, CrossCountry, Northern Rail, first_transpennine_express to go to Edinburgh by train.
- Travel with British Airways, Loganair to go to Edinburgh by flight.
- Travel with Megabus, FlixBus, National Express to go to Edinburgh by bus.
- 2 direct trains per day with Transpennine Express, first_transpennine_express.
- 1 direct buses per day with Megabus, FlixBus.
Travelling from Manchester to Edinburgh: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
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