Manchester to Chester bus with National Express

Sat 29 Aug
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Manchester to Chester

Showing times and prices for 29 Aug

Cheapest price

£22

Average price

£22

Fastest journey

2 h 5 m

Average duration

2 h 5 m

Buses per day

1

Distance

54 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Manchester to Chester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Manchester to Chester will cost around £22 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £22.

Fast coaches

Of the 1 buses that leave Manchester for Chester 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 54 km distance in an average of 2 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 5 m .

The slowest buses will take 2 h 5 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.

  • National Express
    23:002h05
    Manchester
    1:05Chester
    £221One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Manchester to Chester

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Chester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £2. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 0m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £2, and a coach costs an average of £15.

Distance: 54 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train

£23

Average Price

£8

Average Price

Cheapest

2h 31m

Average total duration

2h 1m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 30m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 0m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Manchester to Chester bus times

The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Chester coaches for today, Friday 28 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Transport for Wales23:12 Manchester
2h05
1:17 Chester0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Manchester to Chester 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.

Sat
29 Aug
Sun
30 Aug
Mon
31 Aug
Tue
01 Sept
Wed
02 Sept
Thu
03 Sept
Fri
04 Sept

Why should you book Manchester to Chester coaches with Omio?

National Express operates all coaches services from Manchester to Chester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Manchester to Chester.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • 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 Manchester to Chester.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Manchester to Chester.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Manchester to Chester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Manchester to Chester run on average 2 times per day, taking around 2h 1m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £15 but you can travel from only £2 by train.

There are 1 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:07, the last at 23:57. The fastest coach covers the 54 km distance in 1h 59m.

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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £2
Distance
54 km
Average bus duration
2h 1m
Cheapest ticket price
£15
Buses per day
2
Direct buses
1
Fastest bus
1h 59m
First bus
0:07
Last bus
23:57
Cheapest Month
Feb
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Sat
Least Busy Day
Tue
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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £2

Bus providers: National Express from Manchester to ChesterYou can travel by bus between Manchester to Chester with National Express for as low as £2. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

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 Duration
2h 5m
Cheapest Price
£22
National Express frequency
1 a day
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.

Complete guide to Chester

Things to do in Chester

Discover the best of Chester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Chester trip today.

  • Recommended

Deva Roman Experience

Interactive museum exploring Roman Chester with artefacts, reconstructions and family-friendly displays that bring Deva’s military past to life.

  • Recommended

Cheshire Military Museum

Museum in a former mill on the River Dee, covering Chester’s social history, period rooms and local stories from Roman times onward.

  • Recommended

Dewa Roman Experience

Museum inside Chester Castle tracing regional regiments through uniforms, medals and campaigns in a compact but informative setting.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for the UK: hotels and dining are cheaper than London, but tourist areas can feel pricey. Buses are reasonable, while central stays cost more in peak season.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple lunch.
Mid-range
£18-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Taxis: round up or tip about 10%. Cafés and pubs: tipping is optional, though small change is appreciated for table service.

Buses from Manchester to Chester

The bus service from Manchester to Chester is run by the National Express bus company. All the buses are direct with a stop at Manchester Airport, thus no change of buses needed. The departure station for buses from Manchester to Chester is Manchester Coach Station while the arrival station is Chester Coach Station. The time spent on the entire journey ranges from 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes. There is a National Express bus leaving the departure station three times a day, on every day of the week.

FAQs: Manchester to Chester coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Chester 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 Chester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Manchester to Chester can start from as little as £15 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Manchester to Chester is £23; 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 Manchester to Chester is 1h 59m to travel the 54 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 Manchester to Chester leaves at 0:07. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Manchester to Chester leaves at 23:57.
Yes, there are 1 direct coaches a day from Manchester to Chester with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from Manchester to Chester, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Chester. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Manchester and Chester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
Passengers board the coach most frequently from Manchester, Airport, which is located around 2 km away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire Oaks (Outlet Village), located 2 away from the city centre.
A day trip to Chester from Manchester is worth doing with a journey time of 1h 59m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Manchester to Chester is February.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Manchester and Chester including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Manchester to Chester:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Manchester to Chester for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Manchester to Chester depends on the coach companies:
  • 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.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express.
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 Manchester to Chester.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Manchester to Chester:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Manchester to Chester:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Manchester to Chester.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Manchester to Chester with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Manchester to Chester with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Manchester to Chester with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Manchester and Chester

Most Manchester to Chester buses use the Manchester, Airport to Ellesmere Port, Cheshire Oaks (Outlet Village) station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Chester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Manchester
Arrival bus stations in Chester

Which Manchester station do buses to Chester leave from?

Buses from Manchester to Chester leave from Manchester, Airport. The station is 3 km from Manchester city centre at Manchester Airport, Manchester M90 3RR, United Kingdom.
Manchester, AirportManchester Airport, Manchester M90 3RR, United KingdomWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Manchester, Airport from Manchester city centre

Manchester, Airport is 2 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainLiverpool Lime Street - Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly - Crewe, Blackpool North - Manchester Airport, Barrow-in-Furness - Manchester Airport, Windermere - Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly - Wilmslow, Manchester Piccadilly - Manchester Airport, Millom - Manchester Airport, Lancaster - Manchester Airport, Manchester Oxford Road - Manchester Airport, Corkickle - Manchester Airport, Preston - Manchester Airport · 17m · £4 · every ~9 min
BusUk980, Uk076, Uk074, Uk072, Ukn23 · 30m · £0.90 · every ~2 min
43, 103 · 1h 2m · £2 · every ~29 min
43, 103 · 1h 6m · £2 · every ~29 min
TramNavy Line · 51m · £4 · every ~16 min
Navy Line · 54m · £4 · every ~8 min

Manchester, Airport bus station facilities and services

Manchester, Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: Burger King (in the station), Giraffe (in the station).

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located throughout the airport, offering multiple currency options.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Manchester, Airport.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Manchester, Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester, Airport: Elevators, ramps, assistance.

More options for your journey from Manchester to Chester

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeCoachesCoach tickets to Chester Manchester to Chester bus

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