Glasgow to Manchester train with TransPennine Express

Trains from Glasgow to Manchester

You can easily get trains from Glasgow to Manchester, as a frequent service operates between these two cities. There are up to nine trains daily, depending on the day of the week. The first departure is normally in the early morning, with the last in the early evening. The average journey time is about 3h 15min throughout the week, so it won’t take long before you arrive at your destination. There are both direct and indirect trains, depending on the operator you choose to travel with.

Glasgow to Manchester Train Time: Daily Departures

There are about nine Glasgow to Manchester trains on weekdays and Saturdays and around seven on Sundays. The first departure is normally at about 04:30 from Monday to Saturday, with the Sunday one a little later at around 09:15. The last train from Glasgow to Manchester leave at about 19:00 on weekdays, 18:45 on Saturdays and 19:15 on Sundays.

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

Travelling by train from Glasgow to Manchester tends to take about 3h 15min throughout the week. There is a faster train that takes about 3h 02min and some slower trains that take in the region of 3h 25min. You can take both direct and indirect trains from Glasgow to Manchester.

Trains from Glasgow to Manchester: arch bridge in Glasgow at night. Source: Shutterstock

What is/are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Glasgow to Manchester?

Departure train station: When you get the Glasgow to Manchester train, you will usually depart from Glasgow Central train station, located in the city centre. You can get to the station from popular tourist sites such as People’s Palace in about 16min on the number 18 bus. At the station, you will find ticket machines, toilets, baby changing areas, showers and cashpoints, as well as places to buy food and drink.

Arrival train station: Trains usually arrive at Manchester Oxford Road, which is about a 7-minute journey to the Manchester Art Gallery on the number 197 bus. You’ll find a range of amenities at the station, such as food and drink stalls, toilets and a post box.

Which train companies travel from Glasgow to Manchester?

There are two companies that travel from Glasgow to Manchester by train, namely TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast. You can travel directly with TransPennine Express on one of their roughly 61 trains throughout the week. Avanti West Coast provides an indirect service of about 104 trains weekly. The average journey time on this route is approximately 3 h 15min, so it won’t take long whichever provider you choose.

Night trains Glasgow

There are no trains operating through the night on this service. However, there is a range of trains that leave early in the morning. The earliest departure tends to be at about 04:20, arriving at around 08:20. The last train of the day is shortly after 20:00, getting into Manchester at about 23:20.

Avanti West Coast trains from Glasgow to Manchester

Avanti West Coast’s Glasgow to Manchester train offers a comprehensive service throughout the week. There tend to be about 16 trains daily between Monday and Friday, about 15 on a Saturday and approximately nine on a Sunday. The first departure is at around 04:25 from Monday to Saturday and at about 09:35 on a Sunday. The final departure is at around 20:00 on weekdays, 18:40 on Saturdays and about 17:35 on Sundays. The average journey duration is in the region of 3h 15min, with some trains completing the trip in about 3h 7min. Trains with this provider are indirect, so you will have to change along the way, most likely at a station such as Lancaster.

TransPennine Express trains from Glasgow to Manchester

TransPennine Express trains also offer frequent and reliable service throughout the week. There are about nine trains each day from Monday to Saturday and about seven on Sundays. The first train to leave on weekdays and Saturdays is at about 04:20, with it being a bit later on Sundays at around 09:15. The final departure on trains from Glasgow to Manchester is at around 19:10 on weekdays, around 18:50 on Saturdays and 19:15 on Sundays. The average journey time is also in the region of 3h 15min, with some trains taking a little less time at about 3h 09min. Most of the TransPennine Express trains are direct, so you won’t need to transfer during your journey.

Trains from Glasgow to Manchester: Sustainability travel

When you get a train from Glasgow to Manchester, you will be travelling sustainably. Compared to other modes of transport, such as plane, car or bus, travelling by train causes lower carbon emissions per passenger. This is great for your own carbon footprint but also for the environment in general. There is less noise pollution too, which is helpful for the well-being of people and wildlife.

Train Glasgow to Manchester: Services on Board

When you get a Glasgow to Manchester train, you will find a range of great facilities. You can choose between First- and Second-Class travel on trains by either operator. On TransPennine trains, the luggage needs to fit into the luggage racks, whilst on Avanti West Coast, the bags must be no larger than 30cm x 70cm x 90cm. You can take along your bicycle, but you should reserve this in advance due to the limited bike spaces available. Pets can be taken on board too, but you need to have them on a lead or in a pet carrier at all times. If you are a passenger travelling with a disability, you can contact the operator ahead of your journey, and assistance will be provided when you get to the station and when you reach your destination.

How to find cheap train tickets from Glasgow to Manchester

You can generally get cheap train tickets from Glasgow to Manchester if you book your train in advance of your travel as tickets tend to get more expensive the closer you get to the departure date. Flexibility with travel times also helps, as you may find cheaper a few hours either side of your preferred time of travel. For great discounts, you can also use railcards, such as senior or student railcards. For more inspiration on cheap travel locations in the UK, check out the Omio Magazine, Window Seat.

Trains from Glasgow to Manchester: backpacker on a train to Manchester. Source: Shutterstock

To Manchester by train—travel tips

When you get a train to Manchester from Glasgow, you will find that there is plenty to see and do. Begin your trip by going to Manchester Cathedral, one of the few remaining parts of medieval Manchester. Then take a trip to see your favourite football team play at The Etihad Stadium or Old Trafford. You can also get tours of the grounds if there is no match on. There are some great museums in the city, such as the Manchester Museum, which looks at the industrial revolution. The Science and Industry Museum is built on the site of what is considered the first railway station. Finally, Manchester Art Gallery, with its range of paintings from a variety of eras, is also a must-see.

• Visit the neo-Gothic John Rylands Library
• Get merry at the City of Manchester Distillery
• Enhance your football knowledge at the National Football Museum
• Find out about the city’s past at the People’s History Museum
• Get some fresh air at the Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens