The cheapest and fastest coaches from Leicester to Manchester
Cheapest price
£10
Average price
£21
Fastest journey
3 h 40 m
Average duration
4 h 18 m
Buses per day
14
Distance
119 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Leicester to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Leicester to Manchester will cost around £21 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £10.
Of the 14 buses that leave Leicester for Manchester every day 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 119 km distance in an average of 4 h 18 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 40 m .
The slowest buses will take 4 h 45 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
NX150 · NX120
NX151 · NX121
NX777 · NX120
FlixBus
NX777 · NX421
NX150 · NX120
NX150 · NX120
NX180 · NX121Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Leicester to Manchester
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Leicester to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £7. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 1m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £7, and a train costs an average of £15.
Distance: 119 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£15 Average Price Cheapest | £43 Average Price |
4h 15m Average total duration 3h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 31m Average total duration Fastest 2h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg 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
Leicester to Manchester bus times
The table below shows live departures for Leicester to Manchester coaches for today, Monday 23 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX180 · NX121 | 05:25 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 4h45 | 10:10 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX183 · NX171 | 08:55 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 5h00 | 13:55 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX150 · NX120 | On time 09:50 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 4h30 | 14:20 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX777 · NX120 | On time 11:35 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 4h50 | 16:25 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX151 · NX121 | 12:45 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 4h55 | 17:40 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX777 · NX120 | On time 13:55 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 5h40 | 19:35 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus | 16:00 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 3h40 | 19:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
NX150 · NX120 | On time 16:00 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 4h30 | 20:30 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 16:25 Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 4h55 | 21:20 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
NX777 · NX120 | On time 18:05 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 5h05 | 23:10 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX183 · NX181 | 20:15 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 5h00 | 01:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX777 · NX424 | 23:45 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 6h20 | 06:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX180 · NX171 | 23:55 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 8h25 | 08:20 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| Tuesday 24 February | |||||
NX777 · NX421 | 03:30 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 4h05 | 07:35 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Leicester to Manchester by coach or train
Compare coach and train 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.
24 Feb
25 Feb
26 Feb
27 Feb
28 Feb
01 Mar
02 Mar
03 Mar
04 Mar
05 Mar
06 Mar
07 Mar
08 Mar
09 Mar
Why should you book Leicester to Manchester coaches with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs National Express?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for National Express, but also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus, Megabus or Arriva Midlands to find the best option for your trip from Leicester to Manchester.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare National Express with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Leicester to Manchester.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus, Megabus or Arriva Midlands to find the best option for your trip from Leicester to Manchester.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Leicester to Manchester.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Leicester to Manchester
Buses from Leicester to Manchester run on average 13 times per day, taking around 3h 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £7 if you book in advance.
There are 1 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 119 km distance in 3h 40m.
Distance 119 km |
Average bus duration 3h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price £7 |
Buses per day 13 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 3h 40m |
First bus 00:05 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Bus providers: National Express, FlixBus, Megabus, Arriva Midlands from Leicester to ManchesterYou can travel by bus between Leicester to Manchester with National Express, FlixBus, Megabus, Arriva Midlands for as low as £7. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
National Express
Megabus
Arriva Midlands
Coaches from Leicester to Manchester
Passengers wishing to visit the Northern hub from Leicester have a wide range of option to choose from when travelling by coach. With 26 departures from Monday to Friday and 24 on Saturday and Sunday, the route can be completed in as little as three hours 20 minutes. Only two services per day are direct, though numerous indirect options are available with one change required in either Birmingham or Leeds.
Which coach companies travel from Leicester to Manchester?
All services, whether direct or indirect, are offered by National Express coaches. Coach travel is a greener way to travel and National Express has committed to emitting less carbon dioxide. On board the coach, passengers will find charging points for smartphones and laptops, WiFi and comfortable, spacious seating.
How long is the coach from Leicester to Manchester?
The journey time varies significantly depending on the route and service passengers opt for. The fastest direct service is just three hours 20 minutes. The longest indirect route is the overnight service leaving Leicester at just before midnight, taking eight hours ten minutes. On average, passengers can expect an indirect route to take between four hours 30 minutes and five hours 30 minutes to complete the 100-mile route.
How many coaches are there from Leicester to Manchester?
During the week, passengers can expect to choose from up to 26 departures. Two of these services are direct with most others requiring a change at either Birmingham or Leeds. During the weekend, service decreases slightly, though passengers can still expect at least 24 coach departures.
What are the departure and arrival stations for coaches from Leicester to Manchester?
Departure coach station: All coaches depart from Leicester St Margaret's Bus Station. Located on Gravel Street, the station is a short five minutes away from the city centre and just off the Leicester ring road. Leicester Railway Station is a 15-minute walk across town. Station facilities include a cafeteria, newsagents, ticket machines and toilets.
Arrival station:All coaches will terminate at Manchester Bus Station. Located in the city centre, it is accessible by bus, car, tram or on foot. The journey between Manchester Bus Station and Manchester's main railway station is quick and easy, just a seven-minute walk away. Manchester Bus Station has a seated waiting lounge, toilets, luggage storage, and food and drink options.
FAQs: Leicester to Manchester coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Leicester 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 Leicester and Manchester
- 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
- 05:00-23:30
- Free Wi-Fi
- Available outside the interchange.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 42, 43, 135 Tram: Metrolink
Most popular bus connections from Leicester
More options for your journey from Leicester to Manchester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

