The cheapest and fastest coaches from Cambridge to Manchester
Cheapest price
£21
Average price
£32
Fastest journey
5 h 45 m
Average duration
7 h 23 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
213 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cambridge to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cambridge to Manchester will cost around £32 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £21.
Of the 3 buses that leave Cambridge for Manchester every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 213 km distance in an average of 7 h 23 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 45 m .
The slowest buses will take 9 h 50 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.






Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Cambridge to Manchester
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cambridge to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £17. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 17m. 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 coach costs an average of £17, and a flight costs an average of £54.
Distance: 213 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£37 Average Price Cheapest | £71 Average Price | £135 Average Price |
6h 4m Average total duration 5h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 15m Average total duration 3h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 17m Average total duration Fastest 1h 17m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Cambridge to Manchester bus times
The table below shows live departures for Cambridge to Manchester coaches for today, Monday 2 March. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX728 · NX737 · NX540 | On time 16:00 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 9h45 | 01:45 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 16:30 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 11h00 | 03:30 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
NX777 · NXA8 · NX424 | 19:15 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 10h50 | 06:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
NX777 · NXA8 · NX424 | 19:15 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 10h50 | 06:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
NX777 · NXA8 · NX421 | 21:40 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 9h55 | 07:35 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
NX777 · NXA8 · NX421 | 21:40 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 9h55 | 07:35 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
| Tuesday 3 March | |||||
![]() | 01:50 Cambridge | 5h45 | 07:35 Manchester | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 02:00 Cambridge | 9h50 | 11:50 Manchester | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 09:50 Cambridge | 6h35 | 16:25 Manchester | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cambridge to Manchester by train, coach or flight
Compare train, coach 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.
03 Mar
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Why should you book Cambridge 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 FlixBus or Megabus to find the best option for your trip from Cambridge 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 train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cambridge to Manchester.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus or Megabus to find the best option for your trip from Cambridge to Manchester.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Cambridge to Manchester.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Cambridge to Manchester
Buses from Cambridge to Manchester run on average 13 times per day, taking around 5h 34m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £17 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 213 km distance in 5h 45m.
Distance 213 km |
Average bus duration 5h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price £17 |
Buses per day 13 |
Fastest bus 5h 45m |
First bus 00:05 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Bus providers: National Express, FlixBus, Megabus from Cambridge to ManchesterYou can travel by bus between Cambridge to Manchester with National Express, FlixBus, Megabus for as low as £17. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
National Express
Megabus
Buses from Cambridge to Manchester.
National Express operates direct and indirect daily buses from Cambridge to Manchester. There are two direct services, leaving Cambridge early morning and late morning. The indirect connections include three morning departures and an afternoon service. These journeys require a change at either Milton Keynes Coachway or Birmingham Coach Station. The fastest connection is the mid-morning departure via Milton Keynes, taking just over six hours to reach Manchester. Buses from Cambridge to Manchester depart from Parkside, on the southern side of central Cambridge, arriving at Manchester Coach Station, on the eastern edge of the city centre.
FAQs: Cambridge to Manchester coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cambridge 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.

- Megabus
- Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Megabus
- Megabus reservations cannot be canceled or refunded, but they can be traded in for another journey up to 3 hours before your original scheduled departure for a fee.
- 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.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- Megabus
- One piece of luggage is included per passenger reservation. For guidance, a piece of luggage must not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) and should not weigh more than 50 pounds (23kg).
- National Express
- Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- Megabus
- Additional luggage can be purchased by buying an additional travel ticket in advance or by adding up to two additional pieces when booking for a fee.
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cambridge and Manchester
- 06:00-22:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Café at the Station (in the station)
- Fast Food Express (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, assistance
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 50, 192, 201, 203, 205, 219, 255, 256 Train: Manchester Piccadilly Metro: Piccadilly Gardens
- 05:00-23:30
- Free Wi-Fi
- Available outside the interchange.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 42, 43, 135 Tram: Metrolink
Most popular bus connections from Cambridge
More options for your journey from Cambridge to Manchester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
