Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) bus with National Express

Sat 07 Feb
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)

Showing times and prices for 09 Feb

Cheapest price

£18

Average price

£23

Fastest journey

7 h 10 m

Average duration

7 h 41 m

Buses per day

12

Distance

291 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) will cost around £23 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £18.

Fast coaches

To travel from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) you need to make at least one change.

National ExpressNX032 · NX540
17:308h15
Southampton, Coach Station
01:45Manchester, Coach Station
£181One-way
1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX540
13:158h45
Southampton, Coach Station
22:00Manchester, Coach Station
£191One-way
1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX540
12:159h05
Southampton, Coach Station
21:20Manchester, Coach Station
£191One-way
1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX540
09:158h50
Southampton, Coach Station
18:05Manchester, Coach Station
£191One-way
1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX540
05:059h05
Southampton, Coach Station
14:10Manchester, Coach Station
£191One-way
1 change

Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £14. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 4m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £14, and a flight costs an average of £54.

Distance: 291 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train
Flight

£28

Average Price

Cheapest

£76

Average Price

£98

Average Price

6h 43m

Average total duration

6h 13m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 33m

Average total duration

4h 3m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 4m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 4m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

National Express

Most popular bus company

CrossCountry

Most popular train company

Eastern Airways

Most popular airline

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) bus times

The table below shows live departures for Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) coaches for tomorrow, Monday 9 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at 21:41
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
national_expressNX032 · NX540
On time
04:15 Southampton, Coach Station
8h05
12:20 Manchester, Coach Station
1 change
national_expressNX032 · NX540
On time
05:05 Southampton, Coach Station
9h05
14:10 Manchester, Coach Station
1 change
national_expressNX032 · NX540
On time
06:25 Southampton, Coach Station
9h25
15:50 Manchester, Coach Station
1 change
national_expressNX160 · NX120
Delayed
17:35 08:55Southampton, Coach Station
7h30
16:25 Manchester, Coach Station
1 change
national_expressNX032 · NX540
On time
09:15 Southampton, Coach Station
8h50
18:05 Manchester, Coach Station
1 change
national_expressNX160 · NX120
Delayed
17:35 12:10Southampton, Coach Station
7h25
19:35 Manchester, Coach Station
1 change
national_expressNX032 · NX540
On time
12:15 Southampton, Coach Station
9h05
21:20 Manchester, Coach Station
1 change
national_expressNX032 · NX540
On time
13:15 Southampton, Coach Station
8h45
22:00 Manchester, Coach Station
1 change
national_expressNX160 · NX120
Delayed
17:35 16:00Southampton, Coach Station
7h10
23:10 Manchester, Coach Station
1 change
national_expressNX032 · NX540
On time
17:30 Southampton, Coach Station
8h15
01:45 Manchester, Coach Station
1 change
national_expressNX032 · NX424
On time
19:00 Southampton, Coach Station
11h05
06:05 Manchester, Coach Station
1 change
national_expressNX032 · NX421
On time
20:30 Southampton, Coach Station
11h05
07:35 Manchester, Coach Station
1 change

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) 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.

Mon
09 Feb
Tue
10 Feb
Wed
11 Feb
Thu
12 Feb
Fri
13 Feb
Sat
14 Feb
Sun
15 Feb

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) run on average 11 times per day, taking around 6h 13m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £14 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 04:15, the last at 20:30. The fastest coach covers the 291 km distance in 7h 10m.

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
291 km
Average bus duration
6h 13m
Cheapest ticket price
£14
Buses per day
11
Fastest bus
7h 10m
First bus
04:15
Last bus
20:30
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, Megabus from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)You can travel by bus between Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) with National Express, Megabus for as low as £14. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

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 10m
Cheapest Price
£14
National Express frequency
11 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.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

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
6h 20m
Cheapest Price
£47
Megabus frequency
2 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.

FAQs: Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) 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 Piccadilly (MAN), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) can start from as little as £14 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) is £28; 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 Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) is 7h 10m to travel the 291 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 Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) leaves at 4:15. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) leaves at 20:30.
There are 11 coaches a day from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) which require at least one change with National Express, Megabus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN), you can count on National Express, Megabus for the best way to get you to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN). You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Southampton Central (SOU) and Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) from Southampton Central (SOU) is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 7h 10m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) is February.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Southampton Central (SOU) and Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) including taking a train, coach and flight.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) for coach company National Express, Megabus.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN):
  • Megabus
    • Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) depends on the coach companies:
  • Megabus
    • 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.
  • 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.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express.
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 Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN):
  • Megabus
    • 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).
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN):
  • Megabus
    • 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.
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) with the following coach company: National Express, Megabus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) with the following coach company: National Express, Megabus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Southampton Central (SOU) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) with the following coach company: National Express, Megabus.

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