Manchester to Plymouth bus with National Express

Buses from Manchester to Plymouth

Buses from Manchester to Plymouth runs throughout the day – with multiple buses in the morning and afternoon. The journey from Manchester to Plymouth requires one stop. The quickest route from Manchester to Plymouth goes from Manchester to Birmingham and then from Birmingham to Plymouth. The trip can take between 8h 45min and 10h 35min. The journey will either be longer or shorter, due to the time in which the connecting bus in Birmingham leaves. This can also determine how long your overall journey form Manchester to Plymouth is.

Manchester to Plymouth Bus Time: Daily Departures

The bus from Manchester to Plymouth leaves six times a day, three in the morning and three in the afternoon. The first bus of the day leaves at 04:10 a.m. and arrives at 02:05 p.m. – this bus takes 9h 55min, as the stopover in Birmingham is 1h 30min. The last bus of the day leaves at 05:30 p.m. and arrives at 04:05 a.m. the following morning – this bus takes 10h 35min, as the stopover in Birmingham is 1h 35min.

How long is the journey by bus from Manchester to Plymouth?

The bus route from Manchester to Plymouth take between 8h 30min and 10h 35min. Depending on the time of day, the journey will either be longer or shorter due to the time in which the connecting bus in Birmingham leaves. Six buses leave throughout the day; these buses all have different journey times. Other buses take 9h 05min, 8h 45min, 9h 50min, and 8h 50min. The travel time depends on how long the wait is for the bus from Birmingham to Plymouth.

Plymouth Lighthouse. Source: Shutterstock

What is/are the departure and arrival stations for buses from Manchester to Plymouth?

Departure bus station: Manchester Coach Station has a variety of amenities and services for you to enjoy before you get on your bus to Plymouth. Some of these amenities and services include bathrooms, an onsite café, shop, cash point, charging points, as well as onsite newsagents. The coach station is located in the city centre of Manchester. It is easy to get around the city, as there are many buses throughout the day, and there is a train station nearby. The closest train station is Manchester Victoria, which is within walking distance to the bus station.

Arrival bus station: Plymouth Coach Station has a variety of amenities and services for you to enjoy when you arrive in Plymouth. Some of these amenities and services are bathrooms, a bike hire facility, an onsite coffee shop, an eatery, and an Amazon collection point. Plymouth Bus Station is located in the city centre of Plymouth. The bus station is within walking distance of many shops and services. If you require a train station, the closest station is Plymouth train station, which is 0.6 miles (1 km) away.

Which bus companies travel from Manchester to Plymouth?

National Express is the only bus company that travels from Manchester to Plymouth. The route from Manchester to Plymouth has one change in it, at Birmingham Coach Station. The fastest route from Manchester to Plymouth runs at 12:15 p.m. and arrives at 09:00 p.m. – the route takes 8h 45min. It is good to note that buses may change their times on the weekend, and there may be fewer buses on the weekend. There are normally six buses a day, ranging from the early morning to the afternoon.

National Express buses from Manchester to Plymouth

National Express buses from Manchester to Plymouth travel this route six times a day. The National Express bus is not direct and makes one change at Birmingham Coach Station. There are no direct buses from Manchester to Plymouth. You will have to wait at Birmingham bus station for a time, this is anytime between 30min and 1h 45min. The bus from Birmingham to Plymouth has the longest duration of 6h 05min.

Bus Manchester to Plymouth: Services on Board

National Express has a variety of services on board. National Express allows for two bags of maximum 44 lbs (20 kg) each, and one piece of hand luggage. Your booked seat has plenty of legroom, so there is more than enough room to stay relaxed and comfortable and a place to put your hand luggage. Do not worry about travelling on a hot day as the bus is fully air conditioned right from your seat. There is a USB charging port by every seat as well, so for your long journey, you will be able to charge your phone.

The staff from National Express are happy to assist you if you need help on the bus. For wheelchair users, there is more than enough space as well as assistance if you need it. If you want to bring your bike with you, you will need to wrap it and put it in the storage area. If your bike be dismantled, cannot fold, or is not wrapped, it will not be able to come with you. Pets, unfortunately, cannot be travelled with on National Express buses; however, this is allowed if you have an assistance dog. If you have a pushchair, you can also stick this in the storage area; however, it does need to be able to fold.

Plymouth Harbour. Source: Shutterstock

How to find cheap bus tickets from Manchester to Plymouth?

Finding cheap bus tickets to Plymouth is very accessible via Omio. It is advised that you book your bus ticket in advance, as they often become expensive closer to your leaving date. The times of the day that the bus departs may also increase the price of your ticket. If you want a cheaper ticket from Manchester to Plymouth, try to book your bus ticket in the middle of the day, as this is often the least popular time of the day to travel. Bus tickets tend to be cheaper during the middle of the week than on weekends, so if you are looking for a very affordable ticket try to travel then.

If you choose a direct route or one that has limited stops, the ticket might be more expensive. Booking a ticket from Manchester to Plymouth with a longer waiting period in Birmingham will be cheaper than a shorter waiting time. If your route has more changes, your ticket is often cheaper. The trip from Manchester to Plymouth can be a busy route, so if you are travelling during the holiday season, be aware that tickets will go faster.

To Plymouth by bus—travel tips

Plymouth is located in the southwest of England in Devon. The city is known for its cultural heritage and has since been known as the cultural capital of Devon. Plymouth is a great holiday destination for the family and business travellers. If you are looking for some historical tourism, Plymouth has a variety for you to enjoy. Some recommended historical attractions are doing the historical Plymouth walking tour, visiting the Royal Williams Yard, and having a day out at Saltram (National Trust).

If you are looking for a great place to go out to eat, Plymouth has a variety of restaurants. Some recommended restaurants are, Tantuni, Cosmic Kitchen, The Snack Box Café, and Fletcher’s Restaurant. Plymouth also has a range of fun activities for the kids, including the National Marine Aquarium and Tinside Pool. If you are looking for an outdoor adventure Plymouth is definitely worth a visit. Some recommended outdoor trips are to Burgh Island, Plymouth Sound, and Plymbridge Woods.