- Must visit
Science and Industry Museum
Major science and industry museum on historic railway land, with galleries on textiles, transport and Manchester’s role in modern innovation.
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.
Take a bus from Rochdale to Manchester and enjoy the approximately 16 km long journey. Find schedules and pricing options for a convenient and affordable trip.
There are 4 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:10, the last at 23:47. The fastest coach covers the 16 km distance in 46m.
Distance 16 km |
Average bus duration 43m |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 4 |
Fastest bus 46m |
First bus 0:10 |
Last bus 23:47 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 63 days |
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
Taking coaches from Rochdale to Manchester is straightforward and very quick with journey times that take from 40 minutes to 55 minutes. There are three departures every day of the week, all of which are direct services. All coaches start their journey at Rochdale Interchange and terminate at Manchester Chorlton Street Coach Station. Both of these are short walks from the city centres.
All coaches to Manchester from Rochdale are operated by National Express. From its headquarters in Birmingham, this large transport company provides a wide network of coach routes across the United Kingdom and Europe. Its fleet of coaches is modern with comfortable seating and onboard services that include air conditioning or heating, WiFi, toilets, luggage space and, on some coaches, individual power sockets.
All coaches from Rochdale to Manchester have short journey times of between 40 minutes and 55 minutes. These are all direct routes with no connections required.
There are three coaches to Manchester from Rochdale every day of the week. The first departure is in the early hours of the morning. There are then two further coaches with mid-morning departure times.
Departure bus station: Coaches to Manchester from Rochdale depart from Rochdale Interchange. This is a modern transport hub located approximately five minutes on foot from the city centre. It is served by both local and long-distance buses. It has a taxi rank, toilets, ATM, payphones, waiting areas and a small travel shop. Further shops and cafes can be found in the streets around the Interchange.
Arrival bus station: All coaches from Rochdale to Manchester complete their journey at Manchester Chorlton Street Coach Station, which is operated by National Express, the main provider of coach services from the station. This is located near Manchester Piccadilly Train Station and is approximately 10 minutes' walk from the centre of the city. It is also linked to the city centre by local buses. Among the facilities at the coach station are car and bicycle parking, payphones, a taxi rank, waiting areas, toilets, an ATM, a newsagent, coffee shop and snack bar.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Rochdale 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 Rochdale to Manchester buses use the Chadderton, Broadway to Manchester, Airport station pair. Use this guide to compare Rochdale and Manchester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Manchester, Airport is 2 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Manchester, Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Burger King (in the station), Giraffe (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located throughout the airport, offering multiple currency options.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester, Airport.
Available at Manchester, Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester, Airport: Elevators, ramps, assistance.
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