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The cheapest and fastest coaches from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 08 Sept
Cheapest price on 08 Sept
£20
Average ticket price on 08 Sept
£22
Fastest journey on 08 Sept
5 h 35 m
Average journey duration on 08 Sept
5 h 46 m
Buses on 08 Sept
17
Distance
262 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) will cost around £22 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £20.
Fast coaches
To travel from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) you need to make at least one change.
NXA8 · NX54119:256h15London, York Road (London Eye)1:40Manchester, Coach Station£201One-way1 change- NXA8 · NX5408:005h50London, York Road (London Eye)13:50Manchester, Coach Station£201One-way1 change
- NXA8 · NX54113:556h55London, York Road (London Eye)20:50Manchester, Coach Station£201One-way1 change
- NXA8 · NX5419:306h35London, York Road (London Eye)16:05Manchester, Coach Station£201One-way1 change
- NXA8 · NX42422:347h31London, York Road (London Eye)6:05Manchester, Coach Station£201One-way1 change
- NXA8 · NX54018:555h35London, York Road (London Eye)0:30Manchester, Coach Station£231One-way1 change
- NXA8 · NX5406:305h40London, York Road (London Eye)12:10Manchester, Coach Station£211One-way1 change
- NXA8 · NX5409:005h40London, York Road (London Eye)14:40Manchester, Coach Station£201One-way1 change
- NXA8 · NX5408:005h50London, York Road (London Eye)13:50Manchester, Coach Station£201One-way1 change
- NXA8 · NX54013:256h05London, York Road (London Eye)19:30Manchester, Coach Station£231One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare coach, train and flight for London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £12 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 11m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £12, while a flight costs an average of £94.
Distance: 262 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£12 Average Price Cheapest | £56 Average Price | £94 Average Price | £94 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 23m Average total duration 4h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 52m Average total duration 3h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 11m Average total duration Fastest 1h 11m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 8m 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 |
The cheapest way to travel from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) is a coach with an average price of £12.
This is compared to other travel options from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN):
A coach is £45 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) costing on average £56.
A coach is £83 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) costing on average £94.
The fastest way to travel from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 11m.
Other travel options to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 22m.
Coach takes on average 4h 53m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between London Waterloo (WAT) and Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) including taking a coach, train and flight.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.
Tickets start at around £12 compared to roughly £94 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £82. The journey takes 4h 53m versus 4h 8m 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.
Live departures
London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) bus times
The table below shows live departures for London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) coaches for today, Monday 7 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NXA8 · NX540 | 6:30 London, York Road (London Eye) | 5h40 | 12:10 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX540 | 8:00 London, York Road (London Eye) | 5h50 | 13:50 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX540 | 9:00 London, York Road (London Eye) | 5h40 | 14:40 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX541 | 9:30 London, York Road (London Eye) | 6h35 | 16:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX540 | 10:25 London, York Road (London Eye) | 6h05 | 16:30 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX541 | 10:55 London, York Road (London Eye) | 6h50 | 17:45 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX540 | 11:55 London, York Road (London Eye) | 6h05 | 18:00 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX540 | 13:25 London, York Road (London Eye) | 6h05 | 19:30 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX541 | 13:55 London, York Road (London Eye) | 6h55 | 20:50 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX540 | 15:00 London, York Road (London Eye) | 6h10 | 21:10 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX540 | 16:00 London, York Road (London Eye) | 6h10 | 22:10 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX541 | 16:30 London, York Road (London Eye) | 6h45 | 23:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX540 | 17:30 London, York Road (London Eye) | 5h55 | 23:25 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX541 | 17:55 London, York Road (London Eye) | 6h30 | 0:25 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX540 | 18:55 London, York Road (London Eye) | 5h35 | 0:30 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX541 | 19:25 London, York Road (London Eye) | 6h15 | 1:40 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX540 | 21:00 London, York Road (London Eye) | 5h15 | 2:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX424 | 22:34 London, York Road (London Eye) | 7h31 | 6:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| NXA8 · NX421 | 23:34 London, York Road (London Eye) | 8h01 | 7:35 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| Tuesday 8 September | |||||
| NXA8 · NX421 | 0:57 London, York Road (London Eye) | 6h38 | 7:35 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) by coach, train or flight
Compare coach, train 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.
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08 Sept
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Why should you book London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) coaches with Omio?
National Express as well as FlixBus, Megabus, Go Ahead London, Metroline Travel and more offer coaches services from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
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, Go Ahead London or Metroline Travel to find the best option for your trip from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
- 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, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
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, Go Ahead London or Metroline Travel to find the best option for your trip from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
Journey information
Overview: Bus from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) run on average 52 times per day, taking around 4h 53m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £8 if you book in advance.
There are 51 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 06:00, the last at 22:30. The fastest coach covers the 262 km distance in 4h 10m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance 262 km |
Average bus duration 4h 53m |
Cheapest ticket price £8 |
Buses per day 52 |
Direct buses 51 |
Fastest bus 4h 10m |
First bus 6:00 |
Last bus 22:30 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Bus providers: National Express, FlixBus, Megabus, Go Ahead London, Metroline Travel, Abellio London from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)You can travel by bus between London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) with National Express, FlixBus, Megabus, Go Ahead London, Metroline Travel, Abellio London for as low as £8. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average FlixBus Duration
4h 10m
Cheapest FlixBus Price
£8
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
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.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.
National Express
About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average National Express Duration
4h 30m
Cheapest National Express Price
£10
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
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.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.
What's included in each class
Compare National Express classes and the amenities included in each one.
Megabus
About
Megabus is a low-cost intercity bus service operating across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Known for its affordable fares, including promotional $1 tickets, Megabus offers routes connecting over 500 cities and university campuses in North America. The company provides amenities such as air conditioning, power outlets, free Wi-Fi, and onboard restrooms, with many routes utilizing double-decker buses for scenic views. Megabus aims to provide safe, convenient, and affordable express bus travel.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Megabus Duration
4h 45m
Cheapest Megabus Price
£10
Megabus frequency
4 a day
Luggage included
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).
Additional luggage
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.
Cancellation Policy
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.
Refund
If Megabus fails to provide on-time reliable service for reasons wholly within their control, refunds or alternative travel arrangements may be offered.
Pregnant on board
Being pregnant on board is allowed, but no specific details or restrictions are provided.
Unaccompagned minor
Unaccompanied minors under the age of 17 are not permitted to travel on Megabus.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cold food and drinks, as well as hot drinks with a lid, are allowed on board, but hot food is not.
Seat reservation
Reserved seats can be purchased for an additional fee, starting from £2.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.
What's included in each class
Compare Megabus classes and the amenities included in each one.
Comfort
- Free Wi-Fi
- Power plugs
- Extra legroom
Front seat
- Free Wi-Fi
- Power plugs
General
- Free Wi-Fi
- Power plugs
Leg
- Free Wi-Fi
- Power plugs
- Extra legroom
Reservable
- Free Wi-Fi
- Power plugs
Standard
- Free Wi-Fi
- Power plugs
Standard +
- Free Wi-Fi
- Power plugs
Table seat
- Free Wi-Fi
- Power plugs
- Extra legroom
Top of stairs
- Free Wi-Fi
- Power plugs
Go Ahead London
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Go Ahead London Duration
4h 41m
Cheapest Go Ahead London Price
£46
Go Ahead London frequency
4 a day
Metroline Travel
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Metroline Travel Duration
4h 55m
Cheapest Metroline Travel Price
£41
Metroline Travel frequency
1 a day
Abellio London
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Abellio London Duration
4h 43m
Abellio London frequency
9 a day
FAQs: London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) 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 Piccadilly (MAN), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) can start from as little as £8 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) is £12; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) is 4h 10m to travel the 262 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) leaves at 6:00. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) leaves at 22:30.
Yes, there are 51 direct coaches a day from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) with Megabus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN), you can count on National Express, FlixBus, Megabus, Go Ahead London, Metroline Travel, Abellio London for the best way to get you to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN). You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between London Waterloo (WAT) and Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) from London Waterloo (WAT) is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 4h 10m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) is December.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between London Waterloo (WAT) and Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) including taking a coach, train and flight.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN):
- 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.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) for coach company National Express, FlixBus, Megabus.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) depends on the coach companies:
- 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.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express, FlixBus.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN):
- 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).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN):
- 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.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN). The following conditions apply:
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus, Megabus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus, Megabus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus, Megabus.
More options for your journey from London Waterloo (WAT) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) and London Waterloo (WAT)
Most popular bus connections
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