- 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.
Cheapest price on 03 Sept
£9
Average ticket price on 03 Sept
£9
Fastest journey on 03 Sept
1 h 5 m
Average journey duration on 03 Sept
1 h 12 m
Buses on 03 Sept
15
Distance
53 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester will cost around £9 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £9.
On Thu 03 Sept, we found 15 buses from Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester, including 15 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 53 km distance in an average of 1 h 12 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 5 m .
The slowest buses will take 1 h 15 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.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
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NX424
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £7 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 14m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.0kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £7, while a train costs an average of £8.
Distance: 53 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£7 Average Price Cheapest | £8 Average Price | £11 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 1m Average total duration 1h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 14m Average total duration Fastest 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 9m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester:
A coach is £0.72 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester costing on average £8.
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 31m.
The table below shows live departures for Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester coaches for today, Wednesday 2 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 10:15 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h35 | 11:50 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 12:20 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h30 | 13:50 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 12:25 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h15 | 13:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 14:35 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h15 | 15:50 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 17:25 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h15 | 18:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 18:00 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h30 | 19:30 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 20:05 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h25 | 21:30 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 20:45 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h35 | 22:20 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 20:45 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h15 | 22:00 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 22:35 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h05 | 23:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 2:15 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h15 | 3:30 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 4:15 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h15 | 5:30 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 4:35 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h15 | 5:50 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 4:35 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h35 | 6:10 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
NX424 | 4:55 Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station | 1h10 | 6:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach 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 Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester run on average 8 times per day, taking around 1h 31m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £6 but you can travel from only £3 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 53 km distance in 1h 5m.
Distance 53 km |
Average bus duration 1h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price £6 |
Buses per day 8 |
Direct buses 7 |
Fastest bus 1h 5m |
First bus 0:05 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 14 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
Coaches from the Potteries town of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire to the city of Manchester run at most times of the day, catering to morning, afternoon and evening travellers and usually accomplishing the 40-mile journey in 90 minutes or less. However, as services are often spread thinly with several hours between departures, it's a good idea to check ahead to avoid a long wait.
National Express covers the route between these cities, as well as connecting many other towns in the north of England.
The quickest coaches from Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester take around 75 minutes, while the slowest generally add another 35 minutes or so to the travel time. Most journeys, though, take an hour and a half or less. All services are direct, with no switching of coaches needed.
Coaches from Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester leave eight times a day, distributed unevenly from just after rush hour to slightly before midnight. Departure times are irregular, with the main clusters in the morning and early evening and a long gap in services around lunchtime. A similar pattern continues throughout the week, including Saturday and Sunday.
Departure bus station: Coaches to Manchester leave from Stoke-on-Trent's city-centre bus station, which is less than 10 years old and cost over £15 million, so it can be counted upon to have up to date amenities. It's part of a development that includes a wide range of shopping, leisure and entertainment facilities. First Bus services run every five minutes or so to and from Fenton, Burslem, Longton and other destinations, plus there's a shuttle to the Bet365 football stadium on match days.
Arrival bus station: Manchester coach station is on Chorlton Street, just minutes on foot from Piccadilly railway station. In the immediate vicinity, there's a choice of tram stops connecting the station to the airport, the university and the Manchester suburbs. The Palace and Royal Exchange Theatres, the Bridgewater Hall concert venue, Albert Square with its Gothic architecture and lots of restaurants, bars, hotels and other key tourist attractions are all within an easy stroll.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Stoke-on-Trent 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 Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester buses use the Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station to Manchester, Shudehill Interchange station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East. Use this guide to compare Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station is 2 km from Stoke-on-Trent city centre. Public transport options include:
Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Fast food outlets are present inside the bus station.
Free WiFi available for passengers. ATMs are there is an ATM available within the station.
Ticket office support is available at Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station.
Available at Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Stoke-On-Trent, Hanley Bus Station: The station is equipped with ramps for wheelchair access.
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.
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.
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