The cheapest and fastest coaches from Edinburgh to Manchester
Cheapest price
£15
Average price
£25
Fastest journey
6 h
Average duration
6 h 59 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
282 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Edinburgh to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Manchester will cost around £25 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £15.
Of the 5 buses that leave Edinburgh for Manchester every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 282 km distance in an average of 6 h 59 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h .
The slowest buses will take 7 h 55 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.










Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Edinburgh to Manchester
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £15. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 39m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £15, and a train costs an average of £32.
Distance: 282 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£28 Average Price Cheapest | £59 Average Price |
6h 13m Average total duration 5h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 9m Average total duration Fastest 3h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg 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
Edinburgh to Manchester bus times
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Manchester coaches for today, Tuesday 17 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 06:35 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 8h45 | 15:20 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 07:15 Edinburgh, St Andrew's House | 8h05 | 15:20 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 07:19 Edinburgh, Princes Street (Stop PU) | 8h01 | 15:20 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 07:25 Edinburgh, Haymarket Station (Stop HH) | 7h55 | 15:20 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 07:33 Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 7h47 | 15:20 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
NX183 · NX171 | On time 08:45 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 7h55 | 16:40 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 09:05 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 8h15 | 17:20 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
NX591 · NX170 | On time 10:35 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 7h35 | 18:10 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:15 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 8h45 | 20:00 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
NX183 · NX171 | On time 11:45 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 7h40 | 19:25 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 19:48 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 6h52 | 02:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 19:54 Edinburgh, Princes Street (Stop PU) | 6h46 | 02:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 19:59 Edinburgh, Haymarket Station (Stop HH) | 6h41 | 02:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 20:07 Edinburgh, Drum Brae South | 6h33 | 02:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
NX183 · NX181 | 20:30 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 7h35 | 04:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Edinburgh to Manchester 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.
17 Feb
18 Feb
19 Feb
20 Feb
21 Feb
22 Feb
23 Feb
24 Feb
25 Feb
26 Feb
27 Feb
28 Feb
01 Mar
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Journey information
Overview: Bus from Edinburgh to Manchester
Buses from Edinburgh to Manchester run on average 13 times per day, taking around 5h 43m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £15 if you book in advance.
There are 1 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:06, the last at 23:56. The fastest coach covers the 282 km distance in 6h 0m.
Distance 282 km |
Average bus duration 5h 43m |
Cheapest ticket price £15 |
Buses per day 13 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 6h 0m |
First bus 00:06 |
Last bus 23:56 |
Bus providers: Megabus, FlixBus, National Express, Scottish Citylink from Edinburgh to ManchesterYou can travel by bus between Edinburgh to Manchester with Megabus, FlixBus, National Express, Scottish Citylink for as low as £15. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
National Express
Megabus
Scottish Citylink
Buses from Edinburgh to Manchester: Journey Details
Manchester is an imposing and buzzing city with a wealth of Victorian architecture and some striking modern developments. It is renowned for its diverse cultural scene, the bohemian Northern Quarter and 2 very successful football teams.
Which coach companies go from Edinburgh to Manchester?
National Express offers 5 bus services between the Scottish capital and Manchester seven days a week.
How long is the buses from Edinburgh to Manchester?
The average journey time is 6 hours and 35 minutes. However, journeys the require a change in Leeds can take up to 8 hours and 15 minutes.
Are buses from Edinburgh to Manchester direct?
Not all buses from Edinburgh to Manchester are direct. Some connections require a change in Glasgow or Leeds. So make sure to check before purchasing.
When are the first and last buses of the day from Edinburgh to Manchester?
The earliest bus leaves Edinburgh at 9:00 a.m, with the last departure at 9:30 p.m.
Where do buses from Edinburgh to Manchester depart from and arrive to?
All buses from Edinburgh to Manchester depart from Edinburgh Bus Station. The bus station is located in the city centre, between George Street and Queen Street, adjacent to the St James shopping mall. Edinburgh Waverley train station is a 5 minute walk away. The bus station is well-served by city bus routes and the tram link to the airport. There is a taxi rank outside on North St. Andrew's Street. Night buses around Edinburgh depart from nearby Waverley Bridge.
Buses from Edinburgh to Manchester arrive at the central bus station close to Piccadilly railway station and the Piccadilly Gardens interchange, where bus and tram routes serve all areas of the city.
FAQs: Edinburgh to Manchester coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh and Manchester
- 06:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Café at the Station (in the station)
- Sandwich Shop (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 10, 11, 12, 16, 22, 25, 26, 44 Trams: T50 Trains: Edinburgh Waverley Station
- The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible
- 05:00-23:30
- Free Wi-Fi
- Available outside the interchange.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 42, 43, 135 Tram: Metrolink
- 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
- 00:00-23:59
- Free Wi-Fi
- Burger King (in the station)
- Giraffe (in the station).
- Available outside the terminal, with several companies offering services.
- Elevators, ramps, assistance
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 43, 103 Train: Manchester Airport
Most popular bus connections from Edinburgh
More options for your journey from Edinburgh to Manchester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need


