The cheapest and fastest coaches from Bolton to Manchester
Cheapest price
£3
Average price
£4
Fastest journey
40 m
Average duration
44 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
17 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Bolton to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bolton to Manchester will cost around £4 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £3.
Of the 4 buses that leave Bolton for Manchester every day 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 17 km distance in an average of 44 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 40 m .
The slowest buses will take 55 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
9:200h55Bolton10:15Manchester£31One-way0 changes
10:450h40Bolton11:25Manchester£41One-way0 changes
11:450h40Bolton12:25Manchester£41One-way0 changes
9:350h40Bolton10:15Manchester£41One-way0 changes
11:450h40Bolton12:25Manchester£41One-way0 changes
10:450h40Bolton11:25Manchester£41One-way0 changes
9:350h40Bolton10:15Manchester£41One-way0 changes
9:200h55Bolton10:15Manchester£31One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Bolton to Manchester
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bolton to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £2. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 16m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £2, and a coach costs an average of £3.
Distance: 17 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£4 Average Price | £4 Average Price Cheapest |
1h 3m Average total duration 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 46m Average total duration Fastest 16m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Bolton to Manchester bus times
The table below shows live departures for Bolton to Manchester coaches for today, Monday 20 July. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX540 | 10:35 Bolton, Interchange | 0h40 | 11:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Bolton to Manchester by coach or train
Compare coach and train 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.
21 Jul
22 Jul
23 Jul
24 Jul
25 Jul
26 Jul
27 Jul
Why should you book Bolton to Manchester coaches with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs National Express?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for National Express, but also compare tickets for the likes of Bee Network to find the best option for your trip from Bolton to Manchester.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare National Express with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Bolton to Manchester.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Bolton to Manchester.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Bolton to Manchester
Buses from Bolton to Manchester run on average 2 times per day, taking around 33m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £3 but you can travel from only £2 by train.
There are 2 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:08, the last at 23:57. The fastest coach covers the 17 km distance in 40m.
Distance 17 km |
Average bus duration 33m |
Cheapest ticket price £3 |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 40m |
First bus 0:08 |
Last bus 23:57 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Bus providers: National Express, Bee Network from Bolton to ManchesterYou can travel by bus between Bolton to Manchester with National Express, Bee Network for as low as £2. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
National Express
Bee Network
Buses From Bolton To Manchester
Buses from Bolton to Manchester operate every day of the week. There are usually seven services per day. The earliest departure is at 8:00 a.m, while the last departure is at 11:05 p.m. This is a direct service, which takes from 30 minutes. This route is operated by National Express.
What are the departure and arrival stations for buses from Bolton to Manchester?
Departure Station: Buses from Bolton to Manchester depart from Central Bus Station, which is off Black Horse Street. It is situated in the heart of the city, and is easily accessible by local buses or the Metroshuttle. Local bus services provide links between main bus and rail stations in the town centre.
Arrival Station: Buses from Bolton to Manchester arrive at Manchester Coach Station, which is on Chorlton Street. It is a 5 minutes walk from the Arndale Centre at Market Street. For onward travel, the station is well-served by local buses. The nearest train station is Piccadilly Railway Station, which is a 7 minutes walk away. In addition, there are car parking facilities at the station.
FAQs: Bolton to Manchester coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bolton to Manchester by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Manchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
- National Express
- You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
- National Express
- Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Bolton and Manchester
Most Bolton to Manchester buses use the Bolton, Interchange to Manchester, Coach Station station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester, Airport. Use this guide to compare Bolton and Manchester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Getting to Bolton, Interchange from Bolton city centre
Getting to Bolton, Astley Bridge from Bolton city centre
Which Manchester station do buses from Bolton arrive at?
Getting to Manchester, Coach Station from Manchester city centre
Manchester, Coach Station bus station facilities and services
Manchester, Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Café at the Station (in the station), Fast Food Express (in the station).
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located within the station for cash withdrawals.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Manchester, Coach Station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Manchester, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester, Coach Station: Ramps, assistance.
Getting to Manchester, Airport from Manchester city centre
Manchester, Airport is 2 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Manchester, Airport bus station facilities and services
Manchester, Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Burger King (in the station), Giraffe (in the station).
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located throughout the airport, offering multiple currency options.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Manchester, Airport.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Manchester, Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester, Airport: Elevators, ramps, assistance.
Most popular bus connections from Bolton
More options for your journey from Bolton to Manchester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

