Darlington to Manchester train with Transpennine Express

Sun 23 Aug
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Transpennine Express
Northern Rail
London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER)
Cross Country
TransPennine Express
2,000+ travel companies
Transpennine Express
Northern Rail
London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER)
Cross Country
TransPennine Express
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Darlington to Manchester

Showing times and prices for 23 Aug

Cheapest price

£46

Average price

£68

Fastest journey

2 h 56 m

Average duration

3 h 3 m

Trains per day

3

Distance

124 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Darlington to Manchester will cost around £68 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £46.

Fast trains

To travel from Darlington to Manchester you need to make at least one change.

  • Transpennine ExpressG16006 · TP059700 · N55676
    8:353h16
    Darlington station (DAR)
    11:51Manchester Victoria (MCV)
    £461One-way
    2 changes
  • Transpennine ExpressG16006+Northern RailG89214
    8:352h56
    Darlington station (DAR)
    11:31Manchester Victoria (MCV)
    £791One-way
    1 change
  • Transpennine ExpressG15803+Northern RailG89218
    9:352h57
    Darlington station (DAR)
    12:32Manchester Victoria (MCV)
    £791One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Darlington to Manchester

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Darlington to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £4. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 8m. 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 £4, and a train costs an average of £17.

Distance: 124 km

Compare train with

Train
Most popular
Coach

£34

Average Price

£10

Average Price

Cheapest

2h 38m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 8m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 20m

Average total duration

2h 50m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.1 - 0.3kg

CO2 emissions

Transpennine Express

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

Direct Options

Direct Options

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

Live departures

Darlington to Manchester train times

The table below shows live departures for Darlington to Manchester trains for today, Saturday 22 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Transpennine ExpressW84633+London North Eastern RailwayC02061
Delayed
20:41 20:36Darlington station (DAR)
2h29
23:05 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
1 change
Transpennine ExpressG16137+Northern RailG89291+London North Eastern RailwayC02031
Delayed
20:47 21:02Darlington station (DAR)
3h04
0:06 Manchester Victoria (MCV)
2 changes
Transpennine ExpressC24770 · TP035100 · N08505+London North Eastern RailwayC02031
Delayed
20:57 21:02Darlington station (DAR)
3h29
0:31 Manchester Victoria (MCV)
3 changes
Sunday 23 August
Transpennine ExpressG16006 · TP059700 · N556768:35 Darlington station (DAR)
3h16
11:51 Manchester Victoria (MCV)2 changes
Northern RailG89214+Transpennine ExpressG160068:35 Darlington station (DAR)
2h56
11:31 Manchester Victoria (MCV)1 change
Northern RailG89218+Transpennine ExpressG158039:35 Darlington station (DAR)
2h57
12:32 Manchester Victoria (MCV)1 change

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Darlington to Manchester by train or coach

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.

Sun
23 Aug
Mon
24 Aug
Tue
25 Aug
Wed
26 Aug
Thu
27 Aug
Fri
28 Aug
Sat
29 Aug

Why should you book Darlington to Manchester trains with Omio?

Transpennine Express as well as Northern Rail, London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER), Cross Country, TransPennine Express and more offer trains services from Darlington to Manchester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Darlington to Manchester.

Why book with Omio vs Transpennine Express?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Transpennine Express, but also compare tickets for the likes of Northern Rail, London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER), Cross Country or TransPennine Express to find the best option for your trip from Darlington to Manchester.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Transpennine Express with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Darlington to Manchester.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trip?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Northern Rail, London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER), Cross Country or TransPennine Express to find the best option for your trip from Darlington to Manchester.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Darlington to Manchester.

How far in advance should I book train tickets from Darlington to Manchester?

The best time to book your train from Darlington to Manchester is 21 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Darlington to Manchester route.
Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Darlington to Manchester per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Darlington to Manchester.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Darlington to Manchester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Darlington to Manchester run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 8m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £17 but you can travel from only £4 by coach.

There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:06, the last at 23:55. The fastest train covers the 124 km distance in 1h 43m.

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
Coach from £4
Distance
124 km
Average train duration
2h 8m
Cheapest ticket price
£17
Trains per day
7
Direct trains
2
Fastest train
1h 43m
First train
0:06
Last train
23:55
Cheapest Month
Jan
Cheapest Day
Tue
High Season
Oct - Dec
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Fri
Best time to book
14 days
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
Coach from £4

Train companies: Transpennine Express, Northern Rail, London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER), Cross Country, TransPennine Express from Darlington to Manchester trainsTranspennine Express, Northern Rail, London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER), Cross Country, TransPennine Express trains will get you between Darlington and Manchester from £4. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Transpennine Express

About
Transpennine Express is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from Manchester and Liverpool to Scotland, the North East and Yorkshire. It offers a range of services, including express, regional and local trains. Express trains are the fastest, with journey times of up to three hours. Regional trains are slower, but offer more stops and a more relaxed atmosphere. Local trains are the slowest, but offer the most stops. Transpennine Express offers a range of ticket types, including single, return, group and season tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for Transpennine Express are Manchester to Edinburgh, Liverpool to Leeds and Manchester to York. These routes offer a convenient and comfortable way to travel between the cities.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 43m
Cheapest Price
£17
Transpennine Express frequency
7 a day
Luggage included
2 large items and 1 small hand luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if service is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks, plus a small selection of hot and cold food items
Seat reservation
Seat reservations are free of charge and recommended for busy routes
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance booking service
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

Northern Rail

About
Northern Trains is a publicly owned train operating company in the United Kingdom, headquartered in York. It runs local and commuter services across the north of England, connecting regions including the North East, North West, East Midlands, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, and the Humber coastline. As part of the National Rail network, Northern operates under a coordinated fare and ticketing system alongside other UK train companies.Ticket types include Advance, Off-Peak, Anytime Day, single, return, and season tickets, with only one class option available: Standard. Onboard amenities may include comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and refreshments on select services. Popular routes include connections between major northern cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 27m
Cheapest Price
£20
Northern Rail frequency
3 a day
Luggage included
2 large items of luggage and 1 small hand luggage
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
See refund policy for ticket types
Refund
Full refund if service canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service on most services with drinks and snacks. Some stations have cafes and shops
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available but not mandatory. Free of charge when booking advance tickets
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, passenger assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 1m
Cheapest Price
£98
London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER) frequency
7 a day

Cross Country

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 45m
Cheapest Price
£93
Cross Country frequency
6 a day

TransPennine Express

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 43m
Cheapest Price
£45
TransPennine Express frequency
12 a day

Complete guide to Manchester

Things to do in Manchester

Discover the best of Manchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Manchester trip today.

  • 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.

  • Must visit

Manchester Museum

Large university museum with natural history, archaeology and cultural collections, plus changing exhibitions in a prominent Oxford Road building.

  • Must visit

Manchester Art Gallery

Leading art museum with British and European paintings, design, costume and craft collections in a landmark city-centre building.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for a UK city. Hotels can be pricey at peak times, but dining, pubs and local transport are usually cheaper than London.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
£18-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£70+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

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.

FAQs: Darlington to Manchester train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Darlington to Manchester 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 Manchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Darlington to Manchester can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £10, while the average price tends to be around £37.
The train journey from Darlington to Manchester covers a distance of 124 km and takes approximately 1h 43m. Trains run 7 per day.
The train distance from Darlington to Manchester is 124 km.
The first train from Darlington to Manchester leaves at 0:06.
The last train from Darlington to Manchester departs at 23:55.
Trains from Darlington to Manchester run approximately 7 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Darlington to Manchester.
Yes, there is a direct train between Darlington and Manchester. The service operates 2 times per day, provided by Transpennine Express, TransPennine Express.
To get from Darlington to Manchester, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Darlington to Manchester.
The train station in Darlington that goes to Manchester is Darlington station (DAR), and it arrives at Manchester Victoria (MCV).
The cheapest way to get from Darlington to Manchester is by coach, costing approximately £4.
Booking trains from Darlington to Manchester in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Darlington to Manchester offers a mix of urban and rural scenery, passing through the picturesque landscapes of Yorkshire and the Pennines, with views of rolling hills, fields, and historic towns along the route.
A day trip from Darlington to Manchester is not feasible as the journey takes 1h 43m. However, trains run 5 times per day, covering a distance of 124 km.
In Manchester, you can explore Old Trafford, the iconic stadium of Manchester United, and the Northern Quarter, known for its independent shops and street art. Enjoy performances at the Manchester Opera House and experience the vibrant nightlife at Deansgate Locks. Relax at Heaton Park, one of Europe's largest municipal parks. Visit the Manchester Art Gallery and the Science and Industry Museum. Admire Manchester Cathedral's Gothic architecture and the John Rylands Library's rare collections. Stroll through Castlefield, with its Roman ruins and picturesque canals.
A stay of 2 to 4 days in Manchester is generally sufficient to explore its main attractions, including museums, historical sites, and vibrant neighbourhoods.
Yes, you can take the train from Darlington to Manchester.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Darlington and Manchester

Most Darlington to Manchester trains use the Darlington to Manchester Victoria station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester Piccadilly. Use this guide to compare Darlington and Manchester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Darlington
Arrival train stations in Manchester

Which Darlington station do trains to Manchester leave from?

Trains from Darlington to Manchester leave from Darlington. The station is from Darlington city centre at Darlington station, Bank Top, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 4AA.
DarlingtonDarlington station, Bank Top, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 4AAShoppingParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Darlington from Darlington city centre

Location for Rail Replacement ServicesReplacement coach services depart from the station entrance

Darlington train station facilities and services

Darlington has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Car Rental.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Darlington.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

ATMs are available at Darlington.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Darlington.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Darlington: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Darlington: Bike Parking, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Darlington: 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 public telephones: text phones are available and staff are on hand to assist as required due to no low level phones, Accessible taxis: Generally available but advance booking recommended, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

North RoadNorth Road (Darlington) station, Station Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6STParkingDiningAccessibilityLost and Found OfficeCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to North Road from Darlington city centre

North Road is 1 km from Darlington city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainDarlington - Bishop Auckland, Saltburn - Bishop Auckland · 3m · £0.90 · every ~2 min

North Road train station facilities and services

North Road has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office and Car Rental.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at North Road.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at North Road: Parking.

Bike and car services

Available at North Road: Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at North Road: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category C Station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station - Station is unstaffed there are 2 entrances to the staton, one is via steep steps 11 in total, the other is via a stepped ramps and about 40-50 metres in length, 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.

More options for your journey from Darlington to Manchester

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTrainsTrain Times to Manchester Darlington to Manchester train

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