The cheapest and fastest trains from Manchester to Bedford
Cheapest price
£57
Average price
£68
Fastest journey
2 h 53 m
Average duration
3 h 23 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
191 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Bedford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Bedford will cost around £68 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £57.
Of the 5 trains that leave Manchester for Bedford every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 191 km distance in an average of 3 h 23 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 53 m .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 39 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.










Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Manchester to Bedford
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Bedford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £23. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 2m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £23, and a flight costs an average of £57.
Distance: 191 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£61 Average Price | £38 Average Price Cheapest | £157 Average Price |
3h 16m Average total duration 2h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 25m Average total duration 3h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 2m Average total duration Fastest 1h 2m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.6 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Manchester to Bedford train times
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Bedford trains for today, Thursday 8 January. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 04:46 Manchester | 5h09 | 09:55 Bedford | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 07:13 Manchester | 4h39 | 11:52 Bedford | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 07:43 Manchester | 3h26 | 11:09 Bedford | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Manchester to Bedford by train, coach or flight
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.
09 Jan
10 Jan
11 Jan
12 Jan
13 Jan
14 Jan
15 Jan
Journey information
Overview: Train from Manchester to Bedford
Trains from Manchester to Bedford run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 46m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £45 but you can travel from only £23 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 02:07, the last at 21:56. The fastest train covers the 191 km distance in 2h 56m.
Distance 191 km |
Average train duration 2h 46m |
Cheapest ticket price £45 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 2h 56m |
First train 02:07 |
Last train 21:56 |
Train companies: East Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast, Northern Rail (3), West Midlands Trains from Manchester to Bedford trainsEast Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast, Northern Rail (3), West Midlands Trains trains will get you between Manchester and Bedford from £23. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
East Midlands Trains
Avanti West Coast
Northern Rail (3)
West Midlands Trains
FAQs: Manchester to Bedford train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Bedford 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 Bedford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Manchester and Bedford
- Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30
- Sun: 07:00 - 22:30
- Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi.
- Operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
- Burger King
- Caffè Nero
- Carluccio’s
- Hotel Chocolat
- Starbucks
- The Pasty Shop
- Costa Coffee
- Pret a Manger
- Upper Crust
- McDonald's
- & more
- There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly
- Premier Inn Manchester City
- Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly
- Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30
- Sun: 07:00 - 22:30
- Located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
- Bus lines: 1, 2, 3, 147
- Train lines: Northern, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Trains, Transport for Wales
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:30 - 22:00 Sunday 08:00 - 22:15
- Car Park: No
- 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
- Toilets Location: A key is available in the Duty's Manager's office.
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: on platform and approach
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick up point is on Station Approach (M3 1WY) directly outside the station main entrance, outside the M & S shop.
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:30 - 22:40 Sunday 07:30 - 22:00
- Car Park: No
- 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
- Toilets Location: There will be no toilet provision at Manchester Oxford Road from 15th July to 25th July to allow for existing toilets to be refurbished
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: on Platform 4/5
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at the bus stops on Whitworth St West (200 yards from station) (station side for Liverpool, opposite side for Piccadilly)
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:45 - 21:00 Saturday 05:45 - 21:00 Sunday 07:15 - 21:15
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Taxi: Yes
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms via lifts. Assistance Meeting Point is adjacent to the taxi rank at the front of the station.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: Available during staffing hours.
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Waiting rooms location: Heated waiting areas are available
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Front right hand side and station front
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Car Park: Bedford St Johns (Council Managed)
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station
- Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point
- Helpline Contact: 0800 0248 997
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: In the event of engineering the bus/coach will collect from the Medbourne Road car park, by the path leading to the platform. Please check the direction of travel before boarding.
Most popular train connections from Manchester
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