The cheapest and fastest trains from Birmingham to Bolton
Cheapest price
£22
Average price
£31
Fastest journey
2 h 22 m
Average duration
2 h 34 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
128 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Birmingham to Bolton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Birmingham to Bolton will cost around £31 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £22.
Of the 5 trains that leave Birmingham for Bolton every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 128 km distance in an average of 2 h 34 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 22 m .
The slowest trains will take 2 h 45 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.










Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Birmingham to Bolton
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Bolton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £8. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 52m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £8, and a train costs an average of £12.
Distance: 128 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach |
|---|---|
£35 Average Price | £16 Average Price Cheapest |
2h 22m Average total duration Fastest 1h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 2m Average total duration 2h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Birmingham to Bolton train times
The table below shows live departures for Birmingham to Bolton trains for today, Sunday 14 December. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 20:01 Birmingham | 2h19 | 22:20 Bolton | 0 changesdirect | |
| Monday 15 December | |||||
![]() | 04:57 Birmingham | 4h37 | 09:34 Bolton | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 05:05 Birmingham | 2h47 | 07:52 Bolton | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 07:01 Birmingham | 2h30 | 09:31 Bolton | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 11:30 Birmingham | 2h22 | 13:52 Bolton | 0 changesdirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Birmingham to Bolton by coach or train
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.
15 Dec
16 Dec
17 Dec
18 Dec
19 Dec
20 Dec
21 Dec
Journey information
Overview: Train from Birmingham to Bolton
Trains from Birmingham to Bolton run on average 4 times per day, taking around 1h 52m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £12 but you can travel from only £8 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:30, the last at 22:30. The fastest train covers the 128 km distance in 2h 7m.
Distance 128 km |
Average train duration 1h 52m |
Cheapest ticket price £12 |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 2h 7m |
First train 05:30 |
Last train 22:30 |
Train companies: CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, Cross Country from Birmingham to Bolton trainsCrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, Cross Country trains will get you between Birmingham and Bolton from £8. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
CrossCountry
Avanti West Coast
Cross Country
FAQs: Birmingham to Bolton train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Birmingham to Bolton by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bolton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Birmingham and Bolton
- Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 07:00 - 16:00 Friday 07:00 - 18:00 Saturday 08:00 - 16:00 Sunday Closed None
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are not available
- Accessible ticket machines: There are no accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: On platform
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0800 0248998
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: In the event of engineering the bus/coach will collect from: The public service bus stop outside station entrance.
- Opening hours: Monday 07:00 - 10:3012:00 - 18:00 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 07:00 - 11:0012:00 - 18:00 Friday 07:00 - 11:0015:00 - 18:00 Saturday 11:00 - 15:00 Sunday Closed None
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are not available
- Accessible ticket machines: There are no accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0800 0248998
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: In the event of engineering the bus/coach will collect from: Lichfield Road - under railway bridge at public service bus stop near to bottom of stairs for Platform 1 Walsall bound platform
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:40 - 00:10 Saturday 05:55 - 23:55 Sunday 08:40 - 00:10
- Type of shops available: Newsagent, Flower stall
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Step Free Access Category A. Step free access to all platforms.
- Accessible taxis: If you would like us to assist you in booking an accessible taxi for your onward journey please contact 03456 005 165.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Baby changing facilities location: Female toilets
- Waiting rooms location: Waiting rooms are located on Platform 1 and between platforms 3 & 4.
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Between Platforms 2 and 3 at the south end of the station.
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: This station is not usually served by rail replacement buses, due to difficult road access. Replacement buses stop at Birmingham Snow Hill station.
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:00 - 21:00 Sunday 08:15 - 19:30
- Type of shops available: Newsagent
- Car Park: Parking is not available.
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category A Station, this station is scooter friendly, a scooter permit is required for travel, Level access through the ticket barriers to an overpass and via lifts to all platforms. Lifts available from first to last trains
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Wheelchairs available open hours: As per ticket office opening hours
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: A key is available from the Station Supervisor and at the News Stand upon request.
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: platforms 3 & 4
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Newport Street stop, at stand AA
- Metro: GMPTE 0161 228 7811
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday 06:50 - 13:20 Saturday 07:50 - 14:20 Sunday Closed
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category B station, To Manchester : Level access from the car park over level crossing and up ramp onto platform. To Blackburn : Level access from the car park, through a 4ft wide gate, up a short ramp (1:9 slope) onto the platform.
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided
- Accessible public telephones: The highest operating part of the telephone is 1140 mm above floor level.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Bus stop opposite the Railway Pub.
- Metro: GMPTE 0161 228 7811
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Category C Station, Platforms are both accessed via a long set of step from street level, there is no step free route to the platforms.
- Accessible public telephones: The highest operating part of the telephone is 1140 mm above floor level.
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Onward travel information: On Crompton Way for buses to Bolton or Halliwell. Busline 0871 200 2233
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at bus stops on Crompton Way, under railway bridge (Nearside for Blackburn, Farside for Bolton)
- Metro: GMPTE 0161 228 7811
Most popular train connections from Birmingham
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