- Must visit
Science and Industry Museum
Major science and industry museum on historic railway land, with galleries on textiles, transport and Manchester’s role in modern innovation.
Cheapest price on 15 Sept
£20
Average ticket price on 15 Sept
£27
Fastest journey on 15 Sept
5 h 20 m
Average journey duration on 15 Sept
5 h 49 m
Buses on 15 Sept
19
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 £27 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £20.
To travel from Cardiff to Manchester you need to make at least one change.
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FlixBus · FlixBusOmio 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 an average ticket price of £20 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 31m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £20, while a train costs an average of £41.
Distance: 231 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£20 Average Price Cheapest | £41 Average Price | £47 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 36m Average total duration 5h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 31m Average total duration Fastest 4h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Manchester:
A coach is £21 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Manchester costing on average £41.
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Coach takes on average 5h 6m.
Tickets start at around £20 compared to roughly £47 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £27. The journey takes 5h 6m versus 3h 49m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Megabus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Manchester coaches for today, Monday 14 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX507 · NX540 | 16:30 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 9h45 | 2:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 16:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h30 | 23:10 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 16:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h10 | 22:50 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
NX509 · NX424 | 18:45 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 11h20 | 6:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| Tuesday 15 September | |||||
NX202 · NX100 · NX121 | 4:30 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 8h30 | 13:00 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:10 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 5h55 | 12:05 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:10 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h20 | 12:30 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
NX202 · NX100 · NX590 | 6:25 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 8h35 | 15:00 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
NX202 · NX100 · NX590 | 6:25 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 8h35 | 15:00 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:55 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h20 | 15:15 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:55 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h45 | 15:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
NX111 · NX541 | 9:35 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h30 | 16:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:15 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 5h45 | 18:00 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:15 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 5h20 | 17:35 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
NX112 · NX541 | 12:25 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h05 | 19:30 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX202 · NX100 · NX120 | 12:35 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h40 | 20:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
NX508 · NX541 | 13:50 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 10h35 | 0:25 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 14:50 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h20 | 21:10 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 14:50 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 5h55 | 20:45 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
NX509 · NX540 | 15:15 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 9h15 | 0:30 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach 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.
Buses from Cardiff to Manchester run on average 18 times per day, taking around 5h 6m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £13 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 30m.
Distance 231 km |
Average bus duration 5h 6m |
Cheapest ticket price £13 |
Buses per day 18 |
Fastest bus 5h 30m |
First bus 0:05 |
Last bus 23:57 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Manchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Manchester trip today.
Major science and industry museum on historic railway land, with galleries on textiles, transport and Manchester’s role in modern innovation.
Large university museum with natural history, archaeology and cultural collections, plus changing exhibitions in a prominent Oxford Road building.
Leading art museum with British and European paintings, design, costume and craft collections in a landmark city-centre building.
Historic canal-side warehouse district with restored brick buildings, waterside walks, bars, galleries and one of the city’s most atmospheric settings.
Lively central square framed by major civic buildings and event space, ideal for architecture, seasonal markets and city-centre orientation.
Characterful Northern Quarter street known for independent shops, record stores, creative spaces and eye-catching street art.
A flaky shortcrust pie filled with spiced minced beef, potato and onion. It is closely associated with Oldham and Greater Manchester chip shops.
A hearty hotpot of slow-cooked lamb or mutton with onions and sliced potatoes. A long-standing North West comfort dish served across Manchester pubs.
A rich tripe stew cooked with onions, milk and stock. It was a classic working-class Manchester meal linked to the city’s historic tripe trade.
Refined modern British tasting menus in an intimate city-centre setting. Best for a special meal with seasonal ingredients and polished service.
Historic Victorian dining room known for oysters, seafood and classic British dishes. Traditional atmosphere with one of Manchester’s best-known interiors.
Casual northern favourite serving Bury black pudding, pies and hearty breakfasts. Good for trying regional staples in a relaxed market setting.
Moderate for a UK city. Hotels can be pricey at peak times, but dining, pubs and local transport are usually cheaper than London.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is good and not already added. Round up taxi fares; cafés usually do not require tips.
Official public transport app
Manchester Airport Train Station -> Manchester Piccadilly
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 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.
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.
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.

Most Cardiff to Manchester buses use the Cardiff, Sophia Gardens to Manchester, Coach Station station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester, Shudehill Interchange. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Manchester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens). ATMs are available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens).
Ticket office support is available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens).
Available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens): Accessible for passengers with reduced mobility.
Cardiff, Sophia Gardens has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens. ATMs are available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
Ticket office support is available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
Available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens: Basic accessibility features available.
Manchester, Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café at the Station (in the station), Fast Food Express (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located within the station for cash withdrawals.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester, Coach Station.
Available at Manchester, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester, Coach Station: Ramps, assistance.
Manchester, Shudehill Interchange has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester, Shudehill Interchange.
Available at Manchester, Shudehill Interchange: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester, Shudehill Interchange: Elevators, ramps.
Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East is 2 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East. ATMs are available at Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East.
Available at Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East: Accessible for wheelchairs.
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