- 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 05 Sept
£8
Average ticket price on 05 Sept
£18
Fastest journey on 05 Sept
2 h 35 m
Average journey duration on 05 Sept
3 h 17 m
Buses on 05 Sept
4
Distance
124 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Darlington to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Darlington to Manchester will cost around £18 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £8.
On Sat 05 Sept, we found 4 buses from Darlington to Manchester, including 2 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 124 km distance in an average of 3 h 17 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 35 m .
The slowest buses will take 4 h 18 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
NX177
NX591 · NX170
NX591 · NX170
NX177
FlixBus
NX591 · NX170
NX591 · NX170Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Darlington to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £9 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 38m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £9, while a train costs an average of £32.
Distance: 124 km
Most popular Coach | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£9 Average Price Cheapest | £32 Average Price | £27 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 20m Average total duration 2h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 38m Average total duration Fastest 2h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 9m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg 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 Darlington to Manchester:
A coach is £23 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Darlington to Manchester costing on average £32.
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Coach takes on average 2h 50m.
Tickets start at around £9 compared to roughly £27 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £18. The journey takes 2h 50m versus 2h 9m 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 National Express, FlixBus, 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 Darlington to Manchester coaches for today, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 19:50 Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre) | 2h50 | 22:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
| Saturday 5 September | |||||
NX177 | 11:50 Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre) | 2h35 | 14:25 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX591 · NX170 | 14:25 Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre) | 3h25 | 17:50 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX591 · NX170 | 14:25 Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre) | 4h18 | 18:43 Manchester, Miles Platting | 1 change | |
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 Darlington to Manchester run on average 3 times per day, taking around 2h 50m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £4 if you book in advance.
There are 1 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:06, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 124 km distance in 2h 35m.
Distance 124 km |
Average bus duration 2h 50m |
Cheapest ticket price £4 |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 2h 35m |
First bus 0:06 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 1 day |
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 Darlington 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 Darlington to Manchester buses use the Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre) to Manchester, Coach Station station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester, Airport. Use this guide to compare Darlington and Manchester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Restaurants available nearby.
Available at the station. ATMs are available within walking distance.
Ticket office support is available at Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre).
Available at Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre): Wheelchair accessible.
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, Airport is 2 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Manchester, Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Burger King (in the station), Giraffe (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located throughout the airport, offering multiple currency options.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester, Airport.
Available at Manchester, Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester, Airport: Elevators, 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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need