- Must visit
Bolton Museum and Art Gallery
Bolton's main museum with local history, art, Egyptology and aquarium displays, all close to the town centre.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£23
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£33
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
4 h
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
10 h 48 m
Buses on 18 Sept
5
Distance
279 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Glasgow to Bolton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Glasgow to Bolton will cost around £33 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £23.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 5 buses from Glasgow to Bolton, including 2 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 279 km distance in an average of 10 h 48 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h .
The slowest buses will take 15 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.
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FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Glasgow to Bolton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £28 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 23m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £28, while a flight costs an average of £183.
Distance: 279 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£34 Average Price | £28 Average Price Cheapest | £183 Average Price | £85 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 6m Average total duration 4h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 23m Average total duration Fastest 2h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 28m Average total duration 5h 28m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 30m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | 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 Glasgow to Bolton:
A train is £6 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Glasgow to Bolton costing on average £34.
A train is £155 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Glasgow to Bolton costing on average £183.
Other travel options to Bolton take longer:
Coach takes on average 4h 36m.
Flight takes on average 5h 28m.
Tickets start at around £34 compared to roughly £85 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £51. The journey takes 4h 36m versus 3h 30m 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 Glasgow to Bolton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 21:40 Glasgow | 12h15 | 9:55 Bolton | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 22:40 Glasgow | 4h00 | 2:40 Bolton | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight 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 Glasgow to Bolton run on average 3 times per day, taking around 4h 36m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £15 if you book in advance.
There are 2 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 02:10, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 279 km distance in 4h 0m.
Distance 279 km |
Average bus duration 4h 36m |
Cheapest ticket price £15 |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 4h 0m |
First bus 2:10 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Bolton — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bolton trip today.
Bolton's main museum with local history, art, Egyptology and aquarium displays, all close to the town centre.
Independent museum telling the story of local steam, electricity and engineering through working exhibits and volunteer guides.
Art gallery and museum in a former house, showing decorative arts, paintings and objects linked to local collecting history.
Large country park with moorland views, reservoirs, walking trails and access to one of Bolton's best-known hilltop panoramas.
Popular beauty spot with a reservoir, woodland paths and open moor walks, well suited to gentle strolls or longer hikes.
Historic village area with cobbled character, old buildings and scenic access to museum grounds and woodland walks.
A hearty black pudding made in nearby Bury from pig’s blood, fat and oats. It is a defining Greater Manchester breakfast staple.
Soft bread rolls split and filled with buttered chips, often with salt and vinegar. A classic North West cheap eat loved in Bolton.
A savoury pie from nearby Wigan filled traditionally with potato, onion and meat. It reflects Lancashire’s working-class baking heritage.
Popular Turkish restaurant serving charcoal-grilled meats, mezze and fresh bread in a smart but relaxed setting.
Well-known local Indian restaurant with curries, tandoori dishes and a comfortable neighbourhood dining room.
Refined Indian dining with regional dishes and attentive service, suited to a more polished evening meal.
Bolton is usually cheaper than Manchester or London for hotels, meals and local travel, making it good value for most visitors.
Service is often included or optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is typical for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional.
Official public transport app
Bolton Interchange -> Bolton Town Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Glasgow to Bolton 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 Bolton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Glasgow to Bolton buses use the Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station to Manchester, Shudehill Interchange station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East. Use this guide to compare Glasgow and Bolton bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Buchanan (in the station), Coffee Express (in the station), Fast Bites (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station.
Available at Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station: Elevators, ramps.
Bolton, Interchange has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafes and fast food available inside.
Wi-Fi is available at Bolton, Interchange. ATMs are aTM available near the ticket office.
Ticket office support is available at Bolton, Interchange.
Available at Bolton, Interchange: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bolton, Interchange: Facility is wheelchair accessible.
Bolton, Astley Bridge is 1 km from Bolton city centre. Public transport options include:
Bolton, Astley Bridge has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Bolton, Astley Bridge. ATMs are available at Bolton, Astley Bridge.
Ticket office support is available at Bolton, Astley Bridge.
Available at Bolton, Astley Bridge: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bolton, Astley Bridge: Basic accessibility options like ramps are available.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need