- 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.
Cheapest price
£44
Average price
£53
Fastest journey
3 h 47 m
Average duration
4 h 37 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
206 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Ely to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Ely to Manchester will cost around £53 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £44.
Of the 2 trains that leave Ely for Manchester every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 206 km distance in an average of 4 h 37 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 47 m .
The slowest trains will take 5 h 27 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.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Ely to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £20. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 31m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £20, and a flight costs an average of £83.
Distance: 206 km
Most popular Train | Flight | Coach |
|---|---|---|
£64 Average Price | £182 Average Price | £24 Average Price Cheapest |
4h 4m Average total duration 3h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 31m Average total duration Fastest 1h 31m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 11h 12m Average total duration 10h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The table below shows live departures for Ely to Manchester trains for today, Friday 31 July. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 13:15 Ely | 4h04 | 17:19 Manchester | 0 changesdirect | |
| Saturday 1 August | |||||
![]() | 7:48 Ely | 3h47 | 11:35 Manchester | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:50 Ely | 5h27 | 13:17 Manchester | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight 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 Ely to Manchester run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 34m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £44 but you can travel from only £20 by coach.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:04, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 206 km distance in 3h 42m.
Distance 206 km |
Average train duration 3h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price £44 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 3h 42m |
First train 0:04 |
Last train 23:56 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Manchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Manchester trip today.
Major science and industry museum on historic railway land, with galleries on textiles, transport and Manchester’s role in modern innovation.
Large university museum with natural history, archaeology and cultural collections, plus changing exhibitions in a prominent Oxford Road building.
Leading art museum with British and European paintings, design, costume and craft collections in a landmark city-centre building.
Historic canal-side warehouse district with restored brick buildings, waterside walks, bars, galleries and one of the city’s most atmospheric settings.
Lively central square framed by major civic buildings and event space, ideal for architecture, seasonal markets and city-centre orientation.
Characterful Northern Quarter street known for independent shops, record stores, creative spaces and eye-catching street art.
A flaky shortcrust pie filled with spiced minced beef, potato and onion. It is closely associated with Oldham and Greater Manchester chip shops.
A hearty hotpot of slow-cooked lamb or mutton with onions and sliced potatoes. A long-standing North West comfort dish served across Manchester pubs.
A rich tripe stew cooked with onions, milk and stock. It was a classic working-class Manchester meal linked to the city’s historic tripe trade.
Refined modern British tasting menus in an intimate city-centre setting. Best for a special meal with seasonal ingredients and polished service.
Historic Victorian dining room known for oysters, seafood and classic British dishes. Traditional atmosphere with one of Manchester’s best-known interiors.
Casual northern favourite serving Bury black pudding, pies and hearty breakfasts. Good for trying regional staples in a relaxed market setting.
Moderate for a UK city. Hotels can be pricey at peak times, but dining, pubs and local transport are usually cheaper than London.
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.
Official public transport app
Manchester Piccadilly -> Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Ely 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.

Most Ely to Manchester trains use the Ely to Manchester Piccadilly station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester Victoria. Use this guide to compare Ely and Manchester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Ely has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Ely.
Wi-Fi is available at Ely.
Ticket office support is available at Ely. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 028 28 78, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Ely: Parking, WC.
Available at Ely: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ely: 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: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster, 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: No.
Manchester Piccadilly has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, Caffè Nero, Carluccio’s, Hotel Chocolat, Starbucks, The Pasty Shop, Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, Upper Crust, McDonald's, & more
Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi. ATMs are there are ATM machines on the main concourse, Platform 10 and on the mezzanine level.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30, Sun: 07:00 - 22:30. Information desks are located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
Luggage storage is operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Piccadilly: There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly, Premier Inn Manchester City, Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly.
Manchester Victoria has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Victoria.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Victoria.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Manchester Victoria: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Victoria: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Victoria: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, Scooter Friendly Station - Step free access around the whole station via use of lifts between platforms 3-6, connection with Manchester Metrolink using ramps, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards Located near the ticket office, 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.
Manchester Oxford Road has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Oxford Road.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Oxford Road.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Manchester Oxford Road: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Oxford Road: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Oxford Road: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B Station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station - There are two lifts at the Piccadilly end of platform 4 and 2/3 which connect the concourse area platform 4 and 5 with 2/3. Note: there is no lift access to platform 1 at all, 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: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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