Standard
- Free Wi-Fi
- Power plugs
Cheapest price on 17 Sept
£14
Average ticket price on 17 Sept
£27
Fastest journey on 17 Sept
2 h 40 m
Average journey duration on 17 Sept
4 h 6 m
Buses on 17 Sept
5
Distance
189 km
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 £27 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £14.
On Thu 17 Sept, we found 5 buses from Milton Keynes to Manchester, including 5 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 189 km distance in an average of 4 h 6 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 40 m .
The slowest buses will take 8 h 20 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.










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 train, with an average ticket price of £27 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 34m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £27, while a flight costs an average of £97.
Distance: 189 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£28 Average Price | £27 Average Price Cheapest | £97 Average Price | £50 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 39m Average total duration 3h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 34m Average total duration Fastest 2h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 58m Average total duration 58m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 2h 58m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
- CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.6 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Milton Keynes to Manchester:
A train is £1 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Milton Keynes to Manchester costing on average £28.
A train is £70 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Milton Keynes to Manchester costing on average £97.
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 4m.
Coach takes on average 3h 9m.
Tickets start at around £28 compared to roughly £50 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £22. The journey takes 3h 9m versus 2h 58m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by National Express.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
The table below shows live departures for Milton Keynes to Manchester coaches for tomorrow, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX422 · NX424 | 0:50 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 5h15 | 6:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX422 | 0:50 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 5h25 | 6:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX421 | 3:35 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 4h00 | 7:35 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX540 | 9:05 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 3h05 | 12:10 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:40 Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station | 5h05 | 15:45 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:40 Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station | 5h30 | 16:10 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
NX590 | 10:40 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 4h20 | 15:00 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX540 | 10:45 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 3h05 | 13:50 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX540 | 11:40 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 3h00 | 14:40 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX541 | 12:10 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 3h55 | 16:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX540 | 13:25 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 3h05 | 16:30 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX541 | 15:15 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 4h15 | 19:30 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX540 | 16:30 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 3h00 | 19:30 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX541 | 17:00 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 3h50 | 20:50 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX541 | 17:45 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 3h50 | 21:35 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX540 | 19:10 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 3h00 | 22:10 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX541 | 19:25 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 3h50 | 23:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX541 | 20:50 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 3h35 | 0:25 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX540 | 21:35 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 2h55 | 0:30 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX541 | 22:05 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 3h35 | 1:40 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
NX707 · NX424 | 22:35 Milton Keynes, Coachway | 7h30 | 6:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
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 Milton Keynes to Manchester run on average 8 times per day, taking around 3h 9m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £10 but you can travel from only £7 by train.
There are 7 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 189 km distance in 3h 35m.
Distance 189 km |
Average bus duration 3h 9m |
Cheapest ticket price £10 |
Buses per day 8 |
Direct buses 7 |
Fastest bus 3h 35m |
First bus 0:05 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 14 days |
Compare National Express classes and the amenities included in each one.
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
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.

Most Milton Keynes to Manchester buses use the Milton Keynes, Coachway to Manchester, Coach Station station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester, Shudehill Interchange. Use this guide to compare Milton Keynes and Manchester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station is 1 km from Milton Keynes city centre. Public transport options include:
Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: There is a cafe and a snack bar in the station.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the station. ATMs are aTM available in the main hall.
Ticket office support is available at Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station.
Available at Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Milton Keynes, Central Railway Station: Station is wheelchair accessible with ramps and elevators.
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