Watford to Manchester bus with National Express

Fri 19 Dec
+ Add return
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
Megabus
Airport Bus Express Ltd
1,000+ travel companies
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
Megabus
Airport Bus Express Ltd
1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Watford to Manchester

Showing times and prices for 21 Dec

Cheapest price

£92

Average price

£92

Fastest journey

5 h 48 m

Average duration

5 h 48 m

Buses per day

1

Distance

238 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Watford to Manchester will cost around £92 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £92.

Fast coaches

Of the 1 buses that leave Watford for Manchester every day 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct buses cover the 238 km distance in an average of 5 h 48 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 48 m .

The slowest buses will take 5 h 48 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.

West Midlands Trains
04:135h48
Watford
10:01Manchester
£921One-way
0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train, flight and coach for Watford to Manchester

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Watford to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £40. 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 train costs an average of £40, and a flight costs an average of £43.

Distance: 238 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Flight

£62

Average Price

Cheapest

£150

Average Price

3h 6m

Average total duration

2h 36m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 3m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 3m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.7 - 1.4kg

CO2 emissions

Avanti West Coast

Most popular train company

British Airways

Most popular airline

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Watford to Manchester bus times

The table below shows live departures for Watford to Manchester coaches for tomorrow, Sunday 21 December. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at 10:21
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
west_midlands_rail04:13 Watford
5h48
10:01 Manchester0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Watford to Manchester by train, flight or coach

Compare train, flight 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.

Sun
21 Dec
Mon
22 Dec
Tue
23 Dec
Wed
24 Dec
Thu
25 Dec
Fri
26 Dec
Sat
27 Dec

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Watford to Manchester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Take a bus from Watford to Manchester and enjoy the approximately 238 km long journey. Find schedules and pricing options for a convenient and affordable trip.

The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 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 £40
Distance
238 km
Average bus duration
5h 10m
Buses per day
6
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 £40

Bus providers: National Express, FlixBus from Watford to ManchesterYou can travel by bus between Watford to Manchester with National Express, FlixBus for as low as £40. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

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
8h 28m
Cheapest Price
£53
National Express frequency
8 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.

FAQs: Watford to Manchester coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Watford 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
There are 12 coaches a day from Watford to Manchester which require at least one change with National Express or FlixBus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
For the journey from Watford to Manchester you can take a coach with National Express or FlixBus. Be sure to check out all possible coach companies that offer services between Watford and Manchester on Omio to compare what amenities they may have.
A day trip to Manchester from Watford is worth doing with a journey time of min each way. Check with Omio app   the best way to travel.
The cheapest month to travel from Watford to Manchester by coach is October.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Watford and Manchester including taking a train or flight.
No, the coach from Watford to Manchester has no accessibility options.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the coach from Watford to Manchester.
No, bikes are not allowed on board the coach from Watford to Manchester.

To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Watford 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 Watford to Manchester.
    No, luggage for the coach from Watford to Manchester needs to be booked in addition.
    No, there are no additional luggage options for the coach from Watford to Manchester.
    Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Watford to Manchester.
    No, there are no USB plugs on board the coach from Watford to Manchester.
    No, there is no WiFi on board the coach from Watford to Manchester.

    popular bus stations

    Important Stations and Airports in Watford and Manchester

    Watford
    Manchester
    Amenities at bus station
    WifiWifi
    ParkingParking
    ATMATM
    TaxisTaxis
    AccessibilityAccessibility
    WCWC
    Ticket OfficeTicket Office
    information
    ticketOfficeHours
    Ticket Office Hours
    • 05:00-23:30
    carConnection
    Car connection
    Shudehill
    Wifi
    Wifi
    • Free Wi-Fi
    Taxis
    Taxis
    • Available outside the interchange.
    Accessibility
    Accessibility
    • Elevators, ramps
    WC
    WC
    • Available in the station.
    Public transport options for Manchester, Shudehill Interchange
    • Bus: 42, 43, 135 Tram: Metrolink
    Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East
    information
    Amenities at bus station
    WifiWifi
    ParkingParking
    DiningDining
    ATMATM
    TaxisTaxis
    AccessibilityAccessibility
    WCWC
    ShowerShower
    Ticket OfficeTicket Office
    information
    ticketOfficeHours
    Ticket Office Hours
    • 00:00-23:59
    ticketOfficeHours
    Distance to city center
    2 km
    carConnection
    Car connection
    Terminal Road North
    Wifi
    Wifi
    • Free Wi-Fi
    Dining
    Dining
    • Burger King (in the station)
    • Giraffe (in the station).
    Taxis
    Taxis
    • Available outside the terminal, with several companies offering services.
    Accessibility
    Accessibility
    • Elevators, ramps, assistance
    WC
    WC
    • Available in the station.
    Public transport options for Manchester, Airport
    • Bus: 43, 103 Train: Manchester Airport

    Most popular bus connections from Watford

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