- 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
£27
Average price
£42
Fastest journey
3 h 5 m
Average duration
3 h 30 m
Buses per day
24
Distance
216 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Luton to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Luton to Manchester will cost around £42 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £27.
Of the 24 buses that leave Luton 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 216 km distance in an average of 3 h 30 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 5 m .
The slowest buses will take 4 h 15 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
NX240 · NX541
NX230 · NX540
NX230 · NX540
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX230 · NX540Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Luton to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £12. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 2m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £12, and a flight costs an average of £55.
Distance: 216 km
Most popular Coach | Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£21 Average Price Cheapest | £73 Average Price | £98 Average Price |
4h 28m Average total duration 3h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 20m Average total duration 2h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 2m Average total duration Fastest 1h 2m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.6 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Luton to Manchester coaches for today, Friday 28 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 8:15 Luton | 3h25 | 11:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 8:15 Luton | 3h05 | 11:20 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 0 changesdirect | |
NX230 · NX540 | 9:30 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 4h20 | 13:50 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX240 · NX540 | 10:25 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 4h35 | 15:00 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX230 · NX540 | 11:50 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 5h05 | 16:55 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX707 · NX540 | 12:15 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 5h25 | 17:40 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus | 12:35 Luton | 3h10 | 15:45 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 12:35 Luton | 3h35 | 16:10 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
NX230 · NX540 | 13:25 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 5h15 | 18:40 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX230 · NX540 | 14:50 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 5h05 | 19:55 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX230 · NX540 | 16:25 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 4h40 | 21:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX707 · NX540 | 17:10 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 4h40 | 21:50 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX240 · NX541 | 17:50 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 4h55 | 22:45 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX707 · NX540 | 19:35 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 4h20 | 23:55 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX230 · NX540 | 20:05 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 4h25 | 0:30 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX707 · NX540 | 22:00 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 4h15 | 2:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX230 · NX422 | 22:35 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 7h40 | 6:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
| Saturday 29 August | |||||
NX422 | 0:20 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 5h55 | 6:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX422 · NX424 | 0:20 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 5h45 | 6:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX707 · NX421 | 1:55 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 5h40 | 7:35 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX422 · NX540 | 5:40 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 6h30 | 12:10 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Luton to Manchester run on average 21 times per day, taking around 3h 58m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £12 if you book in advance.
There are 4 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 216 km distance in 3h 5m.
Distance 216 km |
Average bus duration 3h 58m |
Cheapest ticket price £12 |
Buses per day 21 |
Direct buses 4 |
Fastest bus 3h 5m |
First bus 0:05 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 28 days |
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
The distance between Luton and Manchester is around 170 miles, with buses completing the journey in between 3 hours and 15 minutes and 7 hours and 30 minutes. Buses from Luton to Manchester depart from either London Luton Airport or Browning Road bus stations, arriving at either Manchester Picadilly or Shudehill Interchange bus stations. There are no direct buses from Luton to Manchester, with at least two changes needed along the route. Services are provided by National Express both out of Luton and into Manchester. There are regular departures throughout the day with busses leaving four times per hour.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Luton 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 Luton to Manchester buses use the Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station to Manchester, Coach Station station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East. Use this guide to compare Luton and Manchester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney) is 3 km from Luton city centre. Public transport options include:
Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney). ATMs are available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney).
Ticket office support is available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney).
Available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney): Limited accessibility.
Luton, Station 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 options nearby.
WiFi is available at nearby facilities. ATMs are aTM available within short walking distance.
Ticket office support is available at Luton, Station Interchange.
Available at Luton, Station Interchange: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Luton, Station Interchange: Ramps and accessible routes available for wheelchairs.
Manchester, Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café at the Station (in the station), Fast Food Express (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located within the station for cash withdrawals.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester, Coach Station.
Available at Manchester, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester, Coach Station: Ramps, assistance.
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.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need