Reading to Manchester bus with Megabus

Thu 27 Nov
+ Add return
Megabus
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
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1,000+ travel companies
Megabus
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
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1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Reading to Manchester

Showing times and prices for 28 Nov

Cheapest price

£53

Average price

£72

Fastest journey

7 h 20 m

Average duration

7 h 40 m

Buses per day

16

Distance

241 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Reading to Manchester will cost around £72 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £53.

Fast coaches

To travel from Reading to Manchester you need to make at least 2 changes.

National ExpressRRRA1 · NX032 · NX540
15:448h41
Reading, Blagrave Street
00:25Manchester, Coach Station
£531One-way
2 changes
National ExpressRRRA1 · NX032 · NX540
04:208h00
Reading, Blagrave Street
12:20Manchester, Coach Station
£561One-way
2 changes
National ExpressRRRA1 · NX025 · NX540
15:448h41
Reading, Blagrave Street
00:25Manchester, Coach Station
£571One-way
2 changes
National ExpressRRRA1 · NX035 · NX540
09:459h40
Reading, Blagrave Street
19:25Manchester, Coach Station
£581One-way
2 changes
National ExpressRRRA1 · NX032 · NX540
12:258h55
Reading, Blagrave Street
21:20Manchester, Coach Station
£591One-way
2 changes

Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Reading to Manchester

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Reading to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £44. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 3m. 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 £44, and a flight costs an average of £49.

Distance: 241 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Coach
Train
Flight

£56

Average Price

Cheapest

£82

Average Price

£163

Average Price

6h 5m

Average total duration

5h 35m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 36m

Average total duration

3h 6m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 3m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 3m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

0.2 - 0.6kg

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.7 - 1.4kg

CO2 emissions

Megabus

Most popular bus company

CrossCountry

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

Reading to Manchester bus times

The table below shows live departures for Reading to Manchester coaches for today, Thursday 27 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at 08:46
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
national_express15:20 Reading
8h05
23:25 Manchester0 changesdirect
meinfernbus_flixbus19:50 Reading
9h00
04:50 Manchester0 changesdirect
national_express21:03 Reading
8h02
05:05 Manchester0 changesdirect
Friday 28 November
national_expressRRRA1 · NX032 · NX540
On time
04:20 Reading, Blagrave Street
8h00
12:20 Manchester, Coach Station		2 changes
national_expressRRRA1 · NX210 · NX12105:55 Reading, Blagrave Street
7h20
13:15 Manchester, Coach Station2 changes
national_expressRRRA1 · NX210 · NX59007:41 Reading, Blagrave Street
7h34
15:15 Manchester, Coach Station2 changes
national_expressRRRA1 · NX210 · NX12008:21 Reading, Blagrave Street
8h34
16:55 Manchester, Coach Station2 changes

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Reading 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.

Fri
28 Nov
Sat
29 Nov
Sun
30 Nov
Mon
01 Dec
Tue
02 Dec
Wed
03 Dec
Thu
04 Dec

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Reading to Manchester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Reading to Manchester run on average 15 times per day, taking around 5h 35m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £44 but you can travel from only £34 by train.

There are 1 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 241 km distance in 7h 12m.

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 £34
Distance
241 km
Average bus duration
5h 35m
Cheapest ticket price
£44
Buses per day
15
Direct buses
1
Fastest bus
7h 12m
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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £34

Bus providers: Megabus, National Express from Reading to ManchesterYou can travel by bus between Reading to Manchester with Megabus, National Express for as low as £34. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

Megabus

About
Megabus is a low-cost intercity bus service operating across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Known for its affordable fares, including promotional $1 tickets, Megabus offers routes connecting over 500 cities and university campuses in North America. The company provides amenities such as air conditioning, power outlets, free Wi-Fi, and onboard restrooms, with many routes utilizing double-decker buses for scenic views. Megabus aims to provide safe, convenient, and affordable express bus travel.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
4h 10m
Cheapest Price
£22
Megabus frequency
4 a day
Luggage included
One piece of luggage is included per passenger reservation. For guidance, a piece of luggage must not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) and should not weigh more than 50 pounds (23kg).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased by buying an additional travel ticket in advance or by adding up to two additional pieces when booking for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
Megabus reservations cannot be canceled or refunded, but they can be traded in for another journey up to 3 hours before your original scheduled departure for a fee.
Refund
If Megabus fails to provide on-time reliable service for reasons wholly within their control, refunds or alternative travel arrangements may be offered.
Pregnant on board
Being pregnant on board is allowed, but no specific details or restrictions are provided.
Unaccompagned minor
Unaccompanied minors under the age of 17 are not permitted to travel on Megabus.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cold food and drinks, as well as hot drinks with a lid, are allowed on board, but hot food is not.
Seat reservation
Reserved seats can be purchased for an additional fee, starting from £2.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.
Entertaiment on board

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
7h 12m
Cheapest Price
£44
National Express frequency
15 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.
Learn more about National Express

FAQs: Reading to Manchester coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading 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 Reading to Manchester can start from as little as £17 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Reading to Manchester is £45; 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 Reading to Manchester is 4 h 10 min   to travel the 149 mile long journey, with around there are 13 coaches per day. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays.
The first coach from Reading to Manchester leaves at 03: 09. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The last coach from Reading to Manchester leaves at 22: 09.
There are 13 coaches a day from Reading to Manchester which require at least one change with Megabus or FlixBus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
Take the Reading to Manchester coach with Megabus or FlixBus. However, it's always good to check out all possible coach companies for the trip to Manchester from Reading as there might be differences in the amenities they offer.

Passengers board the coach most frequently from Reading, Station North Interchange (Stop NE), which is located around 0.5 miles (829 m) away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Manchester, Shudehill Interchange, located 0.5 miles (833 m) away from the city centre.

A trip to Manchester from Reading is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 4 h 10 min each way. Check with Omio app   the best way to travel.
The cheapest month to travel from Reading to Manchester by coach is March.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Reading and Manchester including taking a train, coach or flight.
No, the coach from Reading to Manchester has no accessibility options.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the coach from Reading to Manchester.
No, bikes are not allowed on board the coach from Reading to Manchester.

To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Reading to Manchester, follow these tips:

  • Book in advance: Tickets are often cheaper when booked early.
  • Be flexible with dates and times: Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money.
  • Use our search filters: Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options.
  • Look for special deals or discounts: Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.

    • Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!

    Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the coach from Reading to Manchester.
    No, luggage for the coach from Reading to Manchester needs to be booked in addition.
    No, there are no additional luggage options for the coach from Reading to Manchester.
    Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Reading to Manchester.
    No, there are no USB plugs on board the coach from Reading to Manchester.
    No, there is no WiFi on board the coach from Reading to Manchester.

    popular bus stations

    Important Stations and Airports in Reading and Manchester

    Reading
    Manchester
    The major coach station for departures in Reading is Reading, Blagrave Street. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Reading, Blagrave Street for your trip from Reading to Manchester.
    Reading, Blagrave StreetAccessibility
    Amenities at bus station
    AccessibilityAccessibility
    information
    address
    Address
    Reading RG1 1PZ, UK
    Accessibility
    Accessibility
    • The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible

    More options for your journey from Reading to Manchester

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

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    Reading to Manchester train
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    Tickets and more information for coaches to Manchester

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    HomeCoachesCoach tickets to Manchester Reading to Manchester bus

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