Milton Keynes to Manchester bus with National Express

Sat 21 Mar
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Milton Keynes to Manchester

Showing times and prices for 21 Mar

Cheapest price

£26

Average price

£28

Fastest journey

2 h 40 m

Average duration

2 h 51 m

Buses per day

18

Distance

189 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Milton Keynes to Manchester will cost around £28 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £26.

Fast coaches

Of the 18 buses that leave Milton Keynes for Manchester every day 17 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct buses cover the 189 km distance in an average of 2 h 51 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 40 m .

The slowest buses will take 3 h 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 ExpressNX540
16:452h50
Milton Keynes, Coachway
19:35Manchester, Coach Station
£261One-way
0 changes
National ExpressNX540
13:453h10
Milton Keynes, Coachway
16:55Manchester, Coach Station
£261One-way
0 changes
National ExpressNX540
21:352h50
Milton Keynes, Coachway
00:25Manchester, Coach Station
£261One-way
0 changes
National ExpressNX540
20:503h05
Milton Keynes, Coachway
23:55Manchester, Coach Station
£261One-way
0 changes
National ExpressNX540
17:553h05
Milton Keynes, Coachway
21:00Manchester, Coach Station
£261One-way
0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Milton Keynes to Manchester

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Milton Keynes to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £8. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 5m. 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 £8, and a flight costs an average of £39.

Distance: 189 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train
Flight

£19

Average Price

Cheapest

£46

Average Price

£140

Average Price

3h 34m

Average total duration

3h 4m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 30m

Average total duration

2h 0m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 5m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 5m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

-

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.6 - 1.1kg

CO2 emissions

National Express

Most popular bus company

Avanti West Coast

Most popular train company

British Airways

Most popular airline

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Milton Keynes to Manchester bus times

The table below shows live departures for Milton Keynes to Manchester coaches for tomorrow, Friday 20 March. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at 15:06
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
national_expressNX422 · NX42400:50 Milton Keynes, Coachway
5h15
06:05 Manchester, Coach Station1 change
national_expressNX42200:50 Milton Keynes, Coachway
5h25
06:15 Manchester, Coach Station0 changesdirect
national_expressNX42103:35 Milton Keynes, Coachway
4h00
07:35 Manchester, Coach Station0 changesdirect
national_expressNX540
Delayed
09:35 09:15Milton Keynes, Coachway
3h05
12:20 Manchester, Coach Station
0 changesdirect
national_expressNX540
On time
10:05 Milton Keynes, Coachway
3h15
13:20 Manchester, Coach Station
0 changesdirect
national_expressNX59010:40 Milton Keynes, Coachway
4h20
15:00 Manchester, Coach Station0 changesdirect
national_expressNX540
On time
11:10 Milton Keynes, Coachway
3h00
14:10 Manchester, Coach Station
0 changesdirect
national_expressNX540
On time
12:45 Milton Keynes, Coachway
3h05
15:50 Manchester, Coach Station
0 changesdirect
national_expressNX540
On time
13:45 Milton Keynes, Coachway
3h10
16:55 Manchester, Coach Station
0 changesdirect
national_expressNX540
On time
14:45 Milton Keynes, Coachway
3h20
18:05 Manchester, Coach Station
0 changesdirect
national_expressNX540
On time
16:00 Milton Keynes, Coachway
3h00
19:00 Manchester, Coach Station
0 changesdirect
national_expressNX540
On time
16:45 Milton Keynes, Coachway
2h50
19:35 Manchester, Coach Station
0 changesdirect
national_expressNX540
On time
17:55 Milton Keynes, Coachway
3h05
21:00 Manchester, Coach Station
0 changesdirect
national_expressNX540
On time
18:45 Milton Keynes, Coachway
3h00
21:45 Manchester, Coach Station
0 changesdirect
national_expressNX540
On time
19:40 Milton Keynes, Coachway
2h55
22:35 Manchester, Coach Station
0 changesdirect
national_expressNX540
On time
20:50 Milton Keynes, Coachway
3h05
23:55 Manchester, Coach Station
0 changesdirect
national_expressNX540
On time
21:35 Milton Keynes, Coachway
2h50
00:25 Manchester, Coach Station
0 changesdirect
national_expressNX540
On time
23:05 Milton Keynes, Coachway
2h40
01:45 Manchester, Coach Station
0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Milton Keynes to Manchester by train, coach or flight

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.

Sat
21 Mar
Sun
22 Mar
Mon
23 Mar
Tue
24 Mar
Wed
25 Mar
Thu
26 Mar
Fri
27 Mar

Why should you book Milton Keynes to Manchester coaches with Omio?

National Express as well as FlixBus offer coaches services from Milton Keynes to Manchester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Milton Keynes to Manchester.

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 to find the best option for your trip from Milton Keynes to Manchester.
  • 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 train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Milton Keynes to Manchester.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Milton Keynes to Manchester.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Milton Keynes to Manchester.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Milton Keynes to Manchester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Milton Keynes to Manchester run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 4m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £8 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 189 km distance in 2h 40m.

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
189 km
Average bus duration
3h 4m
Cheapest ticket price
£8
Buses per day
5
Direct buses
4
Fastest bus
2h 40m
First bus
00:05
Last bus
23:55
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 from Milton Keynes to ManchesterYou can travel by bus between Milton Keynes to Manchester with National Express, FlixBus 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 Duration
2h 55m
Cheapest 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 Duration
2h 40m
Cheapest Price
£24
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.

FAQs: Milton Keynes to Manchester coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Milton Keynes 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.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Milton Keynes to Manchester can start from as little as £8 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Milton Keynes to Manchester is £19; 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 Milton Keynes to Manchester is 2h 40m to travel the 189 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 Milton Keynes to Manchester leaves at 0:05. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Milton Keynes to Manchester leaves at 23:55.
Yes, there are 4 direct coaches a day from Milton Keynes to Manchester with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from Milton Keynes to Manchester, you can count on National Express, FlixBus for the best way to get you to Manchester. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Milton Keynes and Manchester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Milton Keynes , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Northampton, Saxon Avenue / Wake Way (Grange Park), Milton Keynes, Coachway, Luton, Dunstable Road (Challney), Northampton, Town Centre . When arriving in Manchester , you can end your route in coach stations like Manchester, Shudehill Interchange, Manchester, Coach Station, Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East, Manchester, Airport.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Northampton, Saxon Avenue / Wake Way (Grange Park), which is located around 0 away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Manchester, Shudehill Interchange, located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Manchester from Milton Keynes is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 2h 40m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Milton Keynes to Manchester is October.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Milton Keynes and Manchester including taking a train, coach and flight.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Milton Keynes to Manchester:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Milton Keynes to Manchester for coach company National Express, FlixBus.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Milton Keynes to Manchester 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.
  • 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 Milton Keynes to Manchester.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Milton Keynes to Manchester:
  • 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 Milton Keynes to Manchester:
  • 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 Milton Keynes to Manchester. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Milton Keynes to Manchester with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Milton Keynes to Manchester with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Milton Keynes to Manchester with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Milton Keynes and Manchester

Milton Keynes
Manchester
Amenities at bus station
WifiWifi
ParkingParking
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • 05:00-23:30
carConnection
Car connection
Shudehill
Wifi
Wifi
  • Free Wi-Fi
Taxis
Taxis
  • Available outside the interchange.
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Elevators, ramps
WC
WC
  • Available in the station.
Public transport options for Manchester, Shudehill Interchange
  • Bus: 42, 43, 135 Tram: Metrolink
Amenities at bus station
WifiWifi
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • 06:00-22:00
carConnection
Car connection
Chorlton Street
Wifi
Wifi
  • Free Wi-Fi
Dining
Dining
  • Café at the Station (in the station)
  • Fast Food Express (in the station).
Taxis
Taxis
  • Available outside the main entrance.
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Ramps, assistance
WC
WC
  • Available in the station.
Public transport options for Manchester, Coach Station
  • Bus: 50, 192, 201, 203, 205, 219, 255, 256 Train: Manchester Piccadilly Metro: Piccadilly Gardens
Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East
information

More options for your journey from Milton Keynes to Manchester

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