- Must visit
Dove Cottage
Romantic-era writer's house museum in Grasmere with preserved rooms, manuscripts and guided access to Wordsworth's domestic world.
Cheapest price
£16
Average price
£29
Fastest journey
1 h 28 m
Average duration
1 h 39 m
Trains per day
12
Distance
116 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Ambleside is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Ambleside will cost around £29 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £16.
Of the 12 trains that leave Manchester for Ambleside every day 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 116 km distance in an average of 1 h 39 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 28 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 50 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.
G89065
G89065
G89063
G89063
W85181+
G85374
W85181+
G85374
W85181+
G85374
G89045+
W33515+
G85365
G89045+
W33515+
G85365
G89063Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Ambleside among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £6. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 37m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £6, and a coach costs an average of £12.
Distance: 116 km
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£15 Average Price Cheapest | £17 Average Price |
2h 7m Average total duration Fastest 1h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 15m Average total duration 5h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Ambleside trains for tomorrow, Saturday 22 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G89063 | 8:56 Deansgate (DGT) | 1h57 | 10:53 Windermere station (WDM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G89063 | 8:56 Deansgate (DGT) | 1h50 | 10:46 Staveley station (SVL) | 0 changesdirect | |
W85169+ G85365 | 9:24 Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 2h16 | 11:40 Windermere station (WDM) | 1 change | |
W85169+ G85365 | 9:24 Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 2h10 | 11:34 Staveley station (SVL) | 1 change | |
G89045 · G85365+ W33515 | 9:56 Deansgate (DGT) | 1h44 | 11:40 Windermere station (WDM) | 2 changes | |
G89045 · G85365+ W33515 | 9:56 Deansgate (DGT) | 1h38 | 11:34 Staveley station (SVL) | 2 changes | |
W85181+ G85374 | 11:24 Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 1h34 | 12:58 Windermere station (WDM) | 1 change | |
W85181+ G85374 | 11:24 Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 1h28 | 12:52 Staveley station (SVL) | 1 change | |
G89065 | 11:56 Deansgate (DGT) | 1h51 | 13:47 Staveley station (SVL) | 0 changesdirect | |
G89065 | 11:56 Deansgate (DGT) | 1h58 | 13:54 Windermere station (WDM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G89589 · G85384+ W85187 | 12:02 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h54 | 14:56 Windermere station (WDM) | 2 changes | |
G89589 · G85394+ W85187 | 12:02 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h48 | 15:50 Staveley station (SVL) | 2 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and train 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 Manchester to Ambleside run on average 21 times per day, taking around 1h 36m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £6 if you book in advance.
There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:57, the last at 22:39. The fastest train covers the 116 km distance in 1h 26m.
Distance 116 km |
Average train duration 1h 36m |
Cheapest ticket price £6 |
Trains per day 21 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 1h 26m |
First train 4:57 |
Last train 22:39 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Ambleside — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ambleside trip today.
Romantic-era writer's house museum in Grasmere with preserved rooms, manuscripts and guided access to Wordsworth's domestic world.
Local museum and gallery with Lakeland history, art, archaeology and Beatrix Potter material, suitable for a deeper understanding of the area.
House museum linked to Beatrix Potter and William Heelis, showing period rooms and personal collections in nearby Hawkshead.
Popular waterfall walk from the town centre through woodland and rocky scenery. It is short, accessible in parts and rewarding after rain.
Open hill above Ambleside with a clear path and wide views over Windermere, the town and surrounding fells. Popular at sunrise or sunset.
Large lakeside green with jetties, picnic space and mountain views. A practical base for walking, boating and relaxing by Windermere.
A Cumberland sausage served in a spiral coil, seasoned with pepper and herbs. A Lake District and Cumbria classic often seen on local pub menus.
Slow-cooked lamb or mutton with onions and sliced potatoes. Long linked to Cumbrian farming life and traditional fellside home cooking.
A rich fruitcake made with dried fruit, spice and tea, traditionally baked in Cumbria for fairs, holidays and family gatherings.
Smart yet welcoming dining room serving refined British cooking with seasonal produce in a historic Ambleside setting.
Established vegetarian restaurant with creative plant-based dishes and a relaxed, modern feel in the centre of Ambleside.
Popular old-town restaurant known for tapas-style small plates, local ingredients and a lively but cosy atmosphere.
Ambleside is pricier than many UK small towns, with higher hotel rates in peak season and dining aimed at visitors, though buses and casual cafés help keep daily costs manageable.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Cafés do not require tips, but leaving small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Ambleside 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 Ambleside, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Ambleside trains use the Deansgate to Staveley station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Ambleside train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Deansgate is 1 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Deansgate 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 Deansgate.
Ticket office support is available at Deansgate.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Deansgate: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Deansgate: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Deansgate: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station From Whitworth Street, up a ramp (43 paces, 1:25 slope) and level access through the entrance into the foyer. Or from the junction of Chester Road, Whitworth Street and Deansgate, level access through the entrance, along the corridor and up 21 steps into the foyer. Then, to Manchester: Past the ticket office, via the lift in the foyer. Or up a ramp (34 paces), up 17 steps onto the platform. To Bolton, Warrington and Wigan : Via the lift in the foyer or along the subway (26 paces), up a ramp (32 paces) and up 18 steps onto the platform. Level access to Manchester platform also via overbridge from Metrolink G-Mex Metrolink stop. Lift available first to last train, currently 06:20 - 23:40 Monday to Saturday. 08:10 - 23:30 Sunday, 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.
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.
Manchester Airport is 13 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Manchester Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Airport.
Wi-Fi is available at Manchester Airport. ATMs are available at Manchester Airport.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Airport. Information desks are information available from staff: ,Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 107 2149, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Manchester Airport: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Airport: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Airport: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: re Step free access is provided from the Ground Transport Interchange to all platforms via lifts or ramps. This station is staffed for all services. This station is Category A. Station staff can provide assistance from Meeting Point 1 (adjacent to the Station Booking Office) and throughout the railway station, and with boarding and alighting the train. Customers requiring assistance should make themselves known to station staff no less than 20 minutes prior to the departure time of their train. Customers requiring assistance to access other services or to connect with terminals should request this from their airline or Manchester Airport Group. Assistance can be requested in advance by contacting the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay). Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible public telephones: In the station cafe on platforms 2 and 3, 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.
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