The cheapest and fastest coaches from Cardiff to Manchester
Cheapest price
£19
Average price
£24
Fastest journey
6 h
Average duration
6 h 25 m
Buses per day
21
Distance
231 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cardiff to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Manchester will cost around £24 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £19.
To travel from Cardiff to Manchester you need to make at least one change.
NX509 · NX424
NX509 · NX540
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX111 · NX120
NX111 · NX120
NX112 · NX121
NX111 · NX120
FlixBus · FlixBusTravel Information
Compare coach and train for Cardiff to Manchester
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £11. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 27m. 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 £11, and a train costs an average of £29.
Distance: 231 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£23 Average Price Cheapest | £60 Average Price |
5h 55m Average total duration 5h 25m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 57m Average total duration Fastest 3h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg 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
Cardiff to Manchester bus times
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Manchester coaches for today, Tuesday 17 March. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX111 · NX120 | On time 13:40 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h50 | 20:30 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 16:00 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 10h00 | 02:00 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
NX111 · NX120 | On time 17:10 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h00 | 23:10 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX216 · NX100 · NX421 | 22:10 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 9h25 | 07:35 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
| Wednesday 18 March | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus | 01:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 9h55 | 11:35 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
NX202 · NX106 · NX120 | 02:35 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 8h40 | 11:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
NX509 · NX540 | On time 03:15 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 9h05 | 12:20 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX202 · NX100 · NX121 | 04:30 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 8h45 | 13:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 05:05 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h00 | 12:05 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 05:05 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h25 | 12:30 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 06:10 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h30 | 13:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 07:10 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 9h55 | 17:05 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
NX111 · NX120 | 08:20 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h00 | 14:20 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX202 · NX100 · NX120 | 08:30 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h55 | 16:25 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h55 | 17:35 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h20 | 18:00 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
NX112 · NX121 | 11:20 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h20 | 17:40 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:15 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 8h45 | 21:00 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 8h05 | 20:45 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 8h30 | 21:10 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cardiff 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.
18 Mar
19 Mar
20 Mar
21 Mar
22 Mar
23 Mar
24 Mar
25 Mar
26 Mar
27 Mar
28 Mar
29 Mar
30 Mar
31 Mar
01 Apr
02 Apr
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04 Apr
05 Apr
06 Apr
07 Apr
Why should you book Cardiff to Manchester coaches with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Megabus?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Megabus, but also compare tickets for the likes of National Express or FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff 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 Megabus with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff 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 National Express or FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff to Manchester.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Cardiff to Manchester.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Cardiff to Manchester
Buses from Cardiff to Manchester run on average 17 times per day, taking around 5h 25m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £11 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:57. The fastest coach covers the 231 km distance in 5h 35m.
Distance 231 km |
Average bus duration 5h 25m |
Cheapest ticket price £11 |
Buses per day 17 |
Fastest bus 5h 35m |
First bus 00:05 |
Last bus 23:57 |
Bus providers: Megabus, National Express, FlixBus from Cardiff to ManchesterYou can travel by bus between Cardiff to Manchester with Megabus, National Express, FlixBus for as low as £11. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
National Express
Megabus
Buses from Cardiff to Manchester
Sophia Gardens in Cardiff is the departure point for buses from Cardiff to Manchester with the first bus of the day departing around 7:30 a.m. National Express runs these buses and the final service departs from Cardiff at about 5:00 p.m. Journeys can take around 6 hours, but at certain times of the day, travel times can extend to over 8 hours. There is a change of bus during the journey in either Birmingham or Bristol, depending on the route taken. Buses from Cardiff to Manchester run every couple of hours between the first and last departure times and the service runs from Monday to Sunday.
Cardiff
Cardiff is an exciting city with much to attract any visitor. It was ranked 6th in National Geographic’s 2011 Alternative Tourist Destinations and is often considered the most popular tourist destination in Wales, with 14.6 million visitors in 2009. The city is steeped in history and you don’t need to travel far (in fact, just straight to the city centre) to see one of its oldest historical attractions: Cardiff Castle. The castle is surrounded by beautiful parkland (an abundance of green space is also a reason for Cardiff’s popularity) and visitors can marvel at the intricate artworks covering many of the walls inside. Much of the area surrounding the city is very interesting also. If you head to the outskirts of the city to the Llandaff district you can visit the 12th century Llandaff Cathedral, made more famous in recent years for the Ghost Walks on offer. Those feeling brave will love this renowned, exciting, and educational activity.
Manchester
A large city in the north west of England, Manchester is an important industrial and musical centre with a large and eclectic array of attractions and activities to keep you busy. Consider exploring the fascinating Museum of Science & Industry, a 2.8-hectare urban heritage park encompassing old brick buildings, rusting viaducts, and massive warehouses, to get a glimpse of 19th-century industrial Manchester. Literature enthusiasts will love visiting the John Rylands Library, which is complete with high-vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows, and the Elizabeth Gaskell house, where this famous author lived from 1850 to 1865. The Godlee Observatory is largely unvisited but one of the most interesting sites in town. Head to the Whitworth Art Gallery to see a wonderful collection of British watercolours.
FAQs: Cardiff to Manchester coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff 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 Cardiff 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 Cardiff
More options for your journey from Cardiff to Manchester
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