- Must visit
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Major university museum with classical sculptures, paintings, antiquities, and decorative arts. Strong choice for a broad first visit.
Cheapest price
£38
Average price
£59
Fastest journey
5 h 30 m
Average duration
5 h 58 m
Buses per day
15
Distance
213 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Manchester to Cambridge is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Cambridge will cost around £59 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £38.
To travel from Manchester to Cambridge you need to make at least one change.
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NX541 · NX777Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Cambridge among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £14. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 10m. 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 £14, and a flight costs an average of £60.
Distance: 213 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£25 Average Price Cheapest | £67 Average Price | £148 Average Price |
5h 58m Average total duration 5h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 1m Average total duration 3h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 10m Average total duration Fastest 1h 10m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - 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 Manchester to Cambridge coaches for today, Saturday 15 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX424 · NXA8 · NX728 | 23:55 Manchester, Coach Station | 11h40 | 11:35 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 2 changes | |
NX424 · NXA8 · NX728 | 23:55 Manchester, Coach Station | 11h40 | 11:35 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 2 changes | |
| Sunday 16 August | |||||
NX421 · NX737 · NX728 | 2:45 Manchester, Coach Station | 8h50 | 11:35 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 2 changes | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:50 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 6h30 | 11:20 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 change | |
NX540 · NX737 · NX727 | 6:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 9h20 | 15:25 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 2 changes | |
NX540 · NX737 · NX727 | 8:50 Manchester, Coach Station | 8h05 | 16:55 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 2 changes | |
NX541 · NX777 | 11:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 7h35 | 18:50 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:10 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 5h30 | 17:40 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 13:30 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 6h50 | 20:20 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 13:55 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 6h25 | 20:20 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 change | |
NX541 · NX777 | 15:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 6h30 | 21:35 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 change | |
NX540 · NXA8 · NX727 | 17:10 Manchester, Coach Station | 8h35 | 1:45 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 2 changes | |
NX540 · NXA8 · NX777 | 17:10 Manchester, Coach Station | 8h35 | 1:45 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 2 changes | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 17:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 5h55 | 23:35 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 18:05 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 5h30 | 23:35 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 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 Manchester to Cambridge run on average 13 times per day, taking around 5h 28m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £14 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 213 km distance in 6h 30m.
Distance 213 km |
Average bus duration 5h 28m |
Cheapest ticket price £14 |
Buses per day 13 |
Fastest bus 6h 30m |
First bus 0:05 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Cambridge — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cambridge trip today.
Major university museum with classical sculptures, paintings, antiquities, and decorative arts. Strong choice for a broad first visit.
Contemporary art gallery in a former chapel, showing changing exhibitions by modern and international artists near the city centre.
Museum of Earth sciences with dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and minerals. Compact, family-friendly, and useful for a rainy day.
Riverside green linking college backs and open meadows. Ideal for walking, punting views, and classic Cambridge photographs.
Lively square and shopping area with the market, historic streets, and buskers. A practical starting point for exploring the old centre.
Historic lane of colleges, chapels, and gateways. A rewarding walk for architecture, student atmosphere, and easy access to central sights.
A Cambridge creation: a rich dessert of vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce, whipped cream and meringue, long associated with Cambridge college dining.
A traditional Cambridgeshire farm dish of braised beef or mutton with onions and root vegetables, reflecting the county’s rural cooking heritage.
An old East Anglian fruit preserve made from windfall apples slowly cooked to a dark, tangy spread, once common in Cambridgeshire households.
Refined British tasting menus in an elegant, intimate setting just outside the city centre.
Long-running riverside restaurant known for modern European cooking and views over the Cam in a smart but relaxed room.
Popular city-centre pub serving cask ales and hearty British food in a lively, historic atmosphere.
Cambridge is pricier than many UK cities. Hotels and dining are above average, but walking and buses help keep transport costs manageable.
Service may be included in restaurants; otherwise tip around 10% for good service. Taxis are often rounded up or tipped 10%. Cafés usually do not expect tips.
Official public transport app
Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) -> Cambridge City Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Cambridge 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 Cambridge, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Cambridge buses use the Manchester, Coach Station to Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Cambridge bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
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, 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