Cardiff to Manchester Airport bus with National Express

Fri 20 Feb
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National Express
Megabus
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National Express
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1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Cardiff to Manchester Airport

Showing times and prices for 20 Feb

Cheapest price

£28

Average price

£37

Fastest journey

5 h 25 m

Average duration

5 h 48 m

Buses per day

16

Distance

218 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cardiff to Manchester Airport 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 Airport will cost around £37 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £28.

Fast coaches

To travel from Cardiff to Manchester Airport you need to make at least one change.

FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
23:2511h45
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
11:10Manchester, Airport
£281One-way
1 change
National ExpressNX216 · NX100 · NX421
22:109h05
Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
07:15Manchester, Airport
£291One-way
2 changes
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
01:409h30
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
11:10Manchester, Airport
£291One-way
1 change
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
06:109h50
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
16:00Manchester, Airport
£311One-way
1 change
National ExpressNX111 · NX120
12:305h35
Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
18:05Manchester, Airport
£331One-way
1 change

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Cardiff to Manchester Airport

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Manchester Airport among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £13. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 44m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £13, and a train costs an average of £34.

Distance: 218 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Coach
Train

£23

Average Price

Cheapest

£64

Average Price

5h 8m

Average total duration

4h 38m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 14m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 44m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

National Express

Most popular bus company

Transport for Wales

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Cardiff to Manchester Airport bus times

The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Manchester Airport coaches for today, Thursday 19 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at 12:12
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
national_expressNX202 · NX106 · NX120
Delayed
14:05 02:35Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
8h05
10:40 Manchester, Airport
2 changes
national_expressNX202 · NX100 · NX121
Delayed
14:05 04:30Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
8h10
12:40 Manchester, Airport
2 changes
national_expressNX202 · NX100 · NX120
Delayed
14:05 08:30Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
7h20
15:50 Manchester, Airport
2 changes
meinfernbus_flixbusFlixBus · FlixBus12:15 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
8h10
20:25 Manchester, Airport1 change
national_expressNX111 · NX120
On time
13:40 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
6h15
19:55 Manchester, Airport
1 change
national_expressNX111 · NX120
On time
17:10 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
5h30
22:40 Manchester, Airport
1 change
meinfernbus_flixbusFlixBus · FlixBus18:10 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
11h15
05:25 Manchester, Airport1 change
national_expressNX509 · NX424
On time
19:15 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
10h30
05:45 Manchester, Airport
1 change
national_expressNX216 · NX100 · NX42122:10 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
9h05
07:15 Manchester, Airport2 changes
meinfernbus_flixbusFlixBus · FlixBus23:25 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
11h45
11:10 Manchester, Airport1 change
meinfernbus_flixbusFlixBus · FlixBus01:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
9h30
11:10 Manchester, Airport1 change
national_expressNX202 · NX106 · NX12002:35 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
8h05
10:40 Manchester, Airport2 changes
national_expressNX202 · NX100 · NX12004:30 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
7h10
11:40 Manchester, Airport2 changes
meinfernbus_flixbusFlixBus · FlixBus06:10 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
9h50
16:00 Manchester, Airport1 change
national_expressNX202 · NX101 · NX12006:25 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
7h30
13:55 Manchester, Airport2 changes
meinfernbus_flixbusFlixBus · FlixBus08:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
10h05
18:45 Manchester, Airport1 change
national_expressNX111 · NX12009:50 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
6h25
16:15 Manchester, Airport1 change
national_expressNX112 · NX121
On time
11:05 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
6h05
17:10 Manchester, Airport
1 change
national_expressNX507 · NX424
On time
18:45 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
11h00
05:45 Manchester, Airport
1 change
national_expressNX216 · NX100 · NX421
On time
22:10 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
9h05
07:15 Manchester, Airport
2 changes

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Manchester Airport by train or coach

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.

Fri
20 Feb
Sat
21 Feb
Sun
22 Feb
Mon
23 Feb
Tue
24 Feb
Wed
25 Feb
Thu
26 Feb

Why should you book Cardiff to Manchester Airport coaches with Omio?

National Express as well as Megabus offer coaches services from Cardiff to Manchester Airport.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cardiff to Manchester Airport.

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 Megabus to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff to Manchester Airport.
  • 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 and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff to Manchester Airport.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Cardiff to Manchester Airport.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Cardiff to Manchester Airport

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Cardiff to Manchester Airport run on average 11 times per day, taking around 4h 38m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £13 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 04:30, the last at 17:15. The fastest coach covers the 218 km distance in 5h 0m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
218 km
Average bus duration
4h 38m
Cheapest ticket price
£13
Buses per day
11
Fastest bus
5h 0m
First bus
04:30
Last bus
17:15
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: National Express, Megabus from Cardiff to Manchester AirportYou can travel by bus between Cardiff to Manchester Airport with National Express, Megabus for as low as £13. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
5h 0m
Cheapest Price
£23
National Express frequency
10 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
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.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

Megabus

About
Megabus is a low-cost intercity bus service operating across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Known for its affordable fares, including promotional $1 tickets, Megabus offers routes connecting over 500 cities and university campuses in North America. The company provides amenities such as air conditioning, power outlets, free Wi-Fi, and onboard restrooms, with many routes utilizing double-decker buses for scenic views. Megabus aims to provide safe, convenient, and affordable express bus travel.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
5h 0m
Cheapest Price
£19
Megabus frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
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).
Additional luggage
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.
Cancellation Policy
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.
Refund
If Megabus fails to provide on-time reliable service for reasons wholly within their control, refunds or alternative travel arrangements may be offered.
Pregnant on board
Being pregnant on board is allowed, but no specific details or restrictions are provided.
Unaccompagned minor
Unaccompanied minors under the age of 17 are not permitted to travel on Megabus.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cold food and drinks, as well as hot drinks with a lid, are allowed on board, but hot food is not.
Seat reservation
Reserved seats can be purchased for an additional fee, starting from £2.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.

FAQs: Cardiff to Manchester Airport coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Manchester Airport 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 Airport, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Cardiff to Manchester Airport can start from as little as £13 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Cardiff to Manchester Airport is £23; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Cardiff to Manchester Airport is 5h 0m to travel the 218 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Cardiff to Manchester Airport leaves at 4:30. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Cardiff to Manchester Airport leaves at 17:15.
There are 11 coaches a day from Cardiff to Manchester Airport which require at least one change with National Express, Megabus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Cardiff to Manchester Airport, you can count on National Express, Megabus for the best way to get you to Manchester Airport. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Cardiff and Manchester Airport and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Manchester Airport from Cardiff is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 5h 0m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Cardiff to Manchester Airport is June.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cardiff and Manchester Airport including taking a train and coach.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Cardiff to Manchester Airport for coach company National Express, Megabus.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Cardiff to Manchester Airport:
  • 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.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Cardiff to Manchester Airport depends on the coach companies:
  • 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.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Cardiff to Manchester Airport.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Cardiff to Manchester Airport:
  • 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.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Cardiff to Manchester Airport:
  • 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.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Cardiff to Manchester Airport.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Cardiff to Manchester Airport with the following coach company: National Express, Megabus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Cardiff to Manchester Airport with the following coach company: National Express, Megabus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Cardiff to Manchester Airport with the following coach company: National Express, Megabus.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Manchester Airport

Cardiff
Manchester
Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
information
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
information
Cardiff, University
information

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