- Must visit
Imperial War Museum North
A leading war museum with powerful exhibitions on conflict and its impact on people. The waterside building is impressive inside and out.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Salford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £12 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 5m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £12, while a train costs an average of £39.
Distance: 115 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£39 Average Price | £12 Average Price Cheapest | £23 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 5m Average total duration Fastest 1h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 50m Average total duration 2h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 45m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Salford:
A coach is £27 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Salford costing on average £39.
Other travel options to Salford take longer:
Coach takes on average 2h 20m.
You'll arrive about 10m sooner (1h 35m by train vs 1h 45m by car). Tickets start at around £39 compared to roughly £23 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
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.
Trains from Birmingham to Salford run on average 4 times per day, taking around 1h 35m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £12 but you can travel from only £6 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:30, the last at 21:34. The fastest train covers the 115 km distance in 1h 31m.
Distance 115 km |
Average train duration 1h 35m |
Cheapest ticket price £12 |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 1h 31m |
First train 5:30 |
Last train 21:34 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 5 days |
Discover the best of Salford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Salford trip today.
A leading war museum with powerful exhibitions on conflict and its impact on people. The waterside building is impressive inside and out.
A major gallery beside the canal with changing exhibitions, installations and performances. Good for contemporary art in a dramatic space.
A small local museum in Buile Hill Park covering Salford history, art and community stories. A quieter stop with a neighbourhood feel.
Waterside district with modern plazas, canalside walks, cultural venues and skyline views. A top area for strolling and photography.
A major creative and broadcasting district with public art, waterfront paths and regular events. Popular for contemporary city views.
Large historic park with open lawns, woodland, a lake and museum. A pleasant green escape that feels more local than touristy.
A hearty Greater Manchester stew of corned beef, potatoes, onions and root veg, long linked with mills and working-class homes across Salford.
A sweet local pudding tart with raspberry jam, custard, coconut and a cherry. It is a classic school-dinner dessert in Greater Manchester.
A spiced fruit loaf from nearby Eccles in Salford, filled with currants and peel. It is one of the area’s best-known traditional baked specialities.
Lively independent pizzeria in Monton, well regarded for Neapolitan-style pizzas, small plates and an upbeat neighbourhood feel.
Popular waterside pub and restaurant at The Lowry Outlet, serving British classics, drinks and relaxed canal-side views.
Smart steakhouse at MediaCity with steaks, seafood and cocktails in a polished but approachable setting.
Moderate for the UK. Dining and local transport are manageable, while hotel prices can rise near Manchester events and weekends.
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Cafés: rounding up is optional. Taxis: round up or add about 10% for good service.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Birmingham to Salford 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 Salford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Birmingham to Salford trains use the Birmingham New Street to Salford Central station pair. Use this guide to compare Birmingham and Salford train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Birmingham New Street has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: All Bar One, Leon, Caffè Nero, Five Guys, Krispy Kreme, The Pasty Shop, Upper Crust, Wasabi, Starbucks, Hotel Chocolat
Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available from Sky Wi-Fi The Cloud. ATMs are aTM machines are located on the paid concourse.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:15 - 23:00, Sun: 07:30 - 23:00. Information desks are in the middle of the station.
Luggage storage is you can leave bags with Excess Baggage Co inside the entrance off Hill Street. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Birmingham New Street: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Birmingham New Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Birmingham New Street: Step-free access in the whole station and ramps available for train access. All platforms have elevators and escalators.
Nearby hotels include Holiday Inn Birmingham City Center, Premier Inn Birmingham City Center (New St Station), Radisson Blue Hotel, Birmingham.
Birmingham Snow Hill has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Birmingham Snow Hill.
Ticket office support is available at Birmingham Snow Hill. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 0248998, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Birmingham Snow Hill: Parking, WC.
Available at Birmingham Snow Hill: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Birmingham Snow Hill: 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 accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: A Ticket Vending Machine is available on the station concourse, by the Ticket Office, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Salford Central is 2 km from Salford city centre. Public transport options include:
Salford Central has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Salford Central.
Ticket office support is available at Salford Central.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Salford Central: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Salford Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Salford Central: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category B station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station - Ramped access to platforms and ticket office. We regret that wheelchair users cannot board or alight here, due to excessive wheelchair ramp gradients between the train and the very low-height platforms, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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