- 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 20 Sept
£28
Average ticket price on 20 Sept
£28
Fastest journey on 20 Sept
8 h 55 m
Average journey duration on 20 Sept
9 h 9 m
Buses on 20 Sept
5
Distance
265 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Ilford to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Ilford to Manchester will cost around £28 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £28.
To travel from Ilford to Manchester you need to make at least one change.
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FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Ilford to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £22 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 0m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £22, while a flight costs an average of £147.
Distance: 265 km
Most popular Coach | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£22 Average Price Cheapest | £67 Average Price | £147 Average Price | £77 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 27m Average total duration 4h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 16m Average total duration 3h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 0m Average total duration Fastest 1h 0m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 51m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Ilford to Manchester:
A coach is £45 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Ilford to Manchester costing on average £67.
A coach is £125 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Ilford to Manchester costing on average £147.
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 46m.
Coach takes on average 4h 57m.
Tickets start at around £22 compared to roughly £77 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £55. The journey takes 4h 57m versus 3h 51m 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.
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 Ilford to Manchester coaches for today, Saturday 19 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:00 London, Stratford City Bus Station | 9h30 | 19:30 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:10 London, Stratford City Bus Station | 9h20 | 21:30 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 18:35 London, Stratford City Bus Station | 8h55 | 3:30 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 20:25 London, Stratford City Bus Station | 9h05 | 5:30 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
| Sunday 20 September | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:55 London, Stratford City Bus Station | 8h55 | 13:50 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
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 Ilford to Manchester run on average 39 times per day, taking around 4h 57m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £8 if you book in advance.
There are 39 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:40. The fastest coach covers the 265 km distance in 4h 10m.
Distance 265 km |
Average bus duration 4h 57m |
Cheapest ticket price £8 |
Buses per day 39 |
Direct buses 39 |
Fastest bus 4h 10m |
First bus 0:05 |
Last bus 23:40 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
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 Ilford 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 Ilford to Manchester buses use the London, Stratford City Bus Station to Manchester, Shudehill Interchange station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East. Use this guide to compare Ilford 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