- 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 18 Sept
£6
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£9
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
1 h 55 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
2 h 16 m
Buses on 18 Sept
13
Distance
113 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cradley Heath to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cradley Heath to Manchester will cost around £9 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £6.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 13 buses from Cradley Heath to Manchester, including 13 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 113 km distance in an average of 2 h 16 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 55 m .
The slowest buses will take 2 h 30 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.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cradley Heath to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £15 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 6m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £15, while a train costs an average of £16.
Distance: 113 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£15 Average Price Cheapest | £16 Average Price | £22 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 45m Average total duration 2h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 6m Average total duration Fastest 1h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 0m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cradley Heath to Manchester:
A coach is £1 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cradley Heath to Manchester costing on average £16.
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Coach takes on average 2h 15m.
Tickets start at around £15 compared to roughly £22 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £8. The journey takes 2h 15m versus 2h 0m 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 Cradley Heath to Manchester coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:20 Cradley Heath | 3h40 | 16:00 Manchester | 1 change | |
![]() | 12:30 Cradley Heath | 3h30 | 16:00 Manchester | 2 changes | |
![]() | 22:07 Cradley Heath | 3h53 | 2:00 Manchester | 1 change | |
![]() | 22:27 Cradley Heath | 3h33 | 2:00 Manchester | 2 changes | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
FlixBus | 0:05 Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 1h55 | 2:00 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 3:20 Cradley Heath | 2h50 | 6:10 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 3:20 Cradley Heath | 2h30 | 5:50 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 8:00 Cradley Heath | 2h30 | 10:30 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 11:10 Cradley Heath | 2h30 | 13:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
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 Cradley Heath to Manchester run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 15m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £13 if you book in advance.
There are 6 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:40. The fastest coach covers the 113 km distance in 3h 30m.
Distance 113 km |
Average bus duration 2h 15m |
Cheapest ticket price £13 |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 3h 30m |
First bus 0:05 |
Last bus 23:40 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
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
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cradley Heath 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 Cradley Heath to Manchester buses use the to Manchester, Shudehill Interchange station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East. Use this guide to compare Cradley Heath and Manchester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need