Edinburgh to Manchester train

Trains from Edinburgh to Manchester

You can find trains from Edinburgh to Manchester easily as there are many different options for you to pick from. With up to 15 trains travelling between these two cities each day, you should be able to find a suitable train for your schedule. Departures are from early in the morning to relatively late in the evening and the average time it takes the train to complete the route is approximately 3h 15min; it won't take long before you've crossed the border on your train from Edinburgh to Manchester.

Edinburgh to Manchester Train Time: Daily Departures

Between Monday and Friday, there are usually around 15 trains per day, with the first departure at around 06:00 and the last one about 20:00. On Saturdays, there are around 14 trains leaving between approximately 06:00 and 18:00, whilst on Sundays, you can find around 11 trains from Edinburgh to Manchester with departures between around 10:00 and 20:00.

How long is the journey by train from Edinburgh to Manchester?

The journey on a train from Edinburgh to Manchester takes about 3h 15min on average throughout the week, although there are slightly faster and slower trains too. The fastest trains take about 3h 11min on weekdays and Saturdays, and around 3h 06min on Sundays. The slowest trains from Monday to Saturday is about 3h 26min, whilst on Sundays, it is around 3h 28min. On this route, there are direct and indirect trains, determined by the operator you travel with.

Trains from Edinburgh to Manchester: cathedral in Edinburgh. Source: Shutterstock

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Edinburgh to Manchester?

Departure train station:Trains on this route leave from Edinburgh Waverley train station, which is located conveniently in the heart of the city. If you were to travel to the train station from a tourist attraction like Scott Monument, you would be able to do so in about 2min on foot. The train station provides a range of facilities, including toilets and baby changing areas, cash points, car hire and showers.

Arrival train station:Trains will arrive at one of two stations, Manchester Victoria or Manchester Oxford Road. From Victoria, you can get to popular tourist sites such as the Manchester Art Gallery on the Green Line tram, which takes about 10min. To get to the same location from Oxford Road, you can take the 197 bus, which takes about 7min. At the train stations, you can use amenities like food and drink outlets, toilets and a post box if you want to drop your loved ones a postcard.

Which train companies travel from Edinburgh to Manchester?

You can travel with two operators on trains from Edinburgh to Manchester. Both TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast operate this route regularly throughout the week. You can normally get 15 trains on a weekday, 14 on a Saturday and 11 on a Sunday. The average time for this journey is about 3h 15min, so you'll be in Manchester before you know it. Check your route before you travel, though, as some of the trains are indirect, requiring a change along the way.

Night trains Edinburgh

You can't take Edinburgh to Manchester trains at night; however, there are early and late trains. You can leave by train as early as about 06:00, arriving in Manchester shortly after 09:00. Alternatively, the last train of the day departs Edinburgh at approximately 20:00 and arrives a little after 23:00.

Transpennine Express Service trains from Edinburgh to Manchester

TransPennine Express offers great service from Edinburgh to Manchester every day of the week. There are about eight trains that depart daily from Monday to Friday, around seven trains on a Saturday and approximately six trains on Sundays. The first departure on weekdays and Saturdays tends to be about 06:00, whilst on Sundays, it is a bit later at around 10:00. The final departure is about 20:00 on weekdays, around 18:00 on Saturdays and shortly after 20:00 on Sundays. Trains take, on average, 3h 15min to arrive at their destination. The fastest train operates this route in about 3h 06min. All trains with this provider are direct, so you won't have to make a change during your journey.

Avanti West Coast trains from Edinburgh to Manchester

Avanti West Coast Edinburgh to Manchester trains also provide a good service. With about seven trains departing each day on weekdays and Saturdays, and around five leaving on Sundays, there are plenty to choose from. The first train departs at just before 07:00 throughout the week, with the last train leaving at about 19:00. Trains with this operator tend to take about 3h 23min and require one stop along the way. A likely place for this transfer is at Preston train station.

Trains from Edinburgh to Manchester: Sustainability travel

If you take an Edinburgh to Manchester train, you will be travelling in a more sustainable fashion compared to undertaking the route by bus, car or plane. Trains have fewer carbon emissions per passenger compared to other modes of transport, and they cause less noise pollution. This helps build up local wildlife populations and is beneficial for the general well-being of people living nearby.

Train Edinburgh to Manchester: Services on Board

You can enjoy a range of facilities on the train to Manchester from Edinburgh, and First-Class travel provides even better service, including comfier seating and more legroom for your journey. On TransPennine Express trains, you must ensure that your luggage fits in the luggage racks, whilst on Avanti West Coast, your luggage must fit certain dimensions. Bags cannot be larger than 30cm x 70cm x 90cm. If you are travelling with bikes with either company, you should book in advance as there is limited space available on each train. Up to two pets can be taken on board free of charge. You will need to make sure that they are under your control for the entire journey, though, so keep them either on a lead or in a cage. If you have a disability and you need assistance when you travel, you can contact the operator ahead of your trip, and they will provide bespoke help for you upon your arrival.

How to find cheap train tickets from Edinburgh to Manchester

You can find cheap train tickets from Edinburgh to Manchester if you try to book your ticket as far in advance of your travel date as possible. Ticket prices tend to increase the closer you get to your departure date. Being flexible can also be helpful when looking for cheap tickets. For example, tickets might be cheaper in the morning and evening of certain days, in which case it would be best to avoid afternoon departures. You can also use railcards, such as a senior or student railcard, to get great discounts on your trips. If you want to find out about more cheap travel destinations in the UK, check out the Omio Magazine, too.

Trains from Edinburgh to Manchester: Library of the city of Manchester. Source: Shutterstock

To Manchester by train—travel tips

Manchester is a great city that offers tourists a range of fine things to do. Begin your trip by visiting either The Etihad Stadium or Old Trafford and take a tour of these famous stadiums. If you're lucky, you may even be able to watch a match. Next up, take a trip to the Science and Industry Museum, which is built on the site of the world's first railway station. The Manchester Museum, with its many exhibits of the industrial revolution, is also a must-see. If you like art, then you won't want to miss Manchester Art Gallery, which has a range of paintings from different eras. Finish off your trip by visiting Manchester Cathedral, one of the few remaining parts of medieval Manchester.

• Check out the neo-Gothic building of The John Rylands Library
• Visit The City of Manchester Distillery
• Check out the National Football Museum
• Discover history at the People’s History Museum
• Stroll around Fletcher Moss Park and the Botanical Gardens