MANCHESTER to BIRKENHEAD train from £4 with Transpennine Express

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The cheapest and fastest trains from Manchester to Birkenhead

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£8

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£16

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

58 m

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

1 h 4 m

Trains on 18 Sept

Distance

52 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Birkenhead is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Manchester to Birkenhead will cost around £16 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £8.

Fast trains

On Fri 18 Sept, we found 4 trains from Manchester to Birkenhead, including 4 direct services.

These direct trains cover the 52 km distance in an average of 1 h 4 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 58 m .

The slowest trains will take 1 h 10 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.

8:411h10
Manchester
9:51Birkenhead
£81One-way
0 changes
7:411h10
Manchester
8:51Birkenhead
£101One-way
0 changes
8:230h58
Manchester
9:21Birkenhead
£231One-way
0 changes
8:530h58
Manchester
9:51Birkenhead
£231One-way
0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Manchester to Birkenhead

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Birkenhead among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £5 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 24m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £5, while a train costs an average of £7.

Distance: 52 km

Compare train with

Most popular Train	Coach	Driving
£7 Average Price	£5 Average Price Cheapest	£12 Average Price (fuel + tolls)
1h 24m Average total duration Fastest 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	1h 58m Average total duration 1h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	1h 5m Average total duration (door-to-door)
Most popular train company	Most popular bus company	Your own car or car rental
Direct Options	Direct Options	Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Manchester to Birkenhead is a coach with an average price of £5.

This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Birkenhead:

A coach is £3 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Birkenhead costing on average £7.

The fastest way to travel from Manchester to Birkenhead is by train with an average journey time of 54m.

Other travel options to Birkenhead take longer:

Coach takes on average 1h 28m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Manchester and Birkenhead including taking a train and coach.

Take the train. On this route, it beats driving on both time and money.

The journey is about 11m faster (54m by train vs 1h 5m by car) and roughly £5 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£7 vs £12). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.

Direct services run with east_midlands_trains, Northern Trains Limited, TransPennine Express.

Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Manchester to Birkenhead train times

The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Birkenhead trains for tomorrow, Friday 18 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Changes
	7:41 Manchester	1h10	8:51 Birkenhead	0 changesdirect
	8:23 Manchester	0h58	9:21 Birkenhead	0 changesdirect
	8:41 Manchester	1h10	9:51 Birkenhead	0 changesdirect
	8:53 Manchester	0h58	9:51 Birkenhead	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 Birkenhead by train or coach

Compare train and coach 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.

Fri
18 Sept

Sat
19 Sept

Sun
20 Sept

Mon
21 Sept

Tue
22 Sept

Wed
23 Sept

Thu
24 Sept

Why should you book Manchester to Birkenhead trains with Omio?

Transpennine Express as well as East Midlands Railway, Northern Rail, east_midlands_trains, Northern Trains Limited and more offer trains services from Manchester to Birkenhead.

Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Manchester to Birkenhead.

Why book with Omio vs Transpennine Express?

Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Transpennine Express, but also compare tickets for the likes of East Midlands Railway, Northern Rail, east_midlands_trains or Northern Trains Limited to find the best option for your trip from Manchester to Birkenhead.
Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Transpennine Express with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Manchester to Birkenhead.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu, Rome2rio or Trip?

Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of East Midlands Railway, Northern Rail, east_midlands_trains or Northern Trains Limited to find the best option for your trip from Manchester to Birkenhead.
Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Manchester to Birkenhead.

How far in advance should I book train tickets from Manchester to Birkenhead?

The best time to book your train from Manchester to Birkenhead is 42 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Manchester to Birkenhead route.

Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Manchester to Birkenhead per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Manchester to Birkenhead.

Trains

from £19

Journey information

Overview: Train from Manchester to Birkenhead

United Kingdom

Trains from Manchester to Birkenhead run on average 17 times per day, taking around 54m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £7 but you can travel from only £4 by coach.

The earliest train runs at 05:25, the last at 23:51. The fastest train covers the 52 km distance in 1h 10m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.

Price information

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Coach from £4

Distance

52 km

Average train duration

54m

Cheapest ticket price

£7

Trains per day

Fastest train

1h 10m

First train

5:25

Last train

23:51

Cheapest Month

Jun

Cheapest Day

Thu

High Season

Jan - Mar

Low Season

Jul - Sept

Busiest Day

Fri

Least Busy Day

Fri

Best time to book

42 days

Price information

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Coach from £4

Train companies: Transpennine Express, East Midlands Railway, Northern Rail, east_midlands_trains, Northern Trains Limited, TransPennine Express from Manchester to Birkenhead trainsTranspennine Express, East Midlands Railway, Northern Rail, east_midlands_trains, Northern Trains Limited, TransPennine Express trains will get you between Manchester and Birkenhead from £4. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Transpennine Express

About

Transpennine Express is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from Manchester and Liverpool to Scotland, the North East and Yorkshire. It offers a range of services, including express, regional and local trains. Express trains are the fastest, with journey times of up to three hours. Regional trains are slower, but offer more stops and a more relaxed atmosphere. Local trains are the slowest, but offer the most stops. Transpennine Express offers a range of ticket types, including single, return, group and season tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for Transpennine Express are Manchester to Edinburgh, Liverpool to Leeds and Manchester to York. These routes offer a convenient and comfortable way to travel between the cities.

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average Transpennine Express Duration

57m

Cheapest Transpennine Express Price

£11

Transpennine Express frequency

11 a day

Luggage included

2 large items and 1 small hand luggage included

Luggage storage

Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats

Cancellation Policy

Refund policies apply as per ticket type

Refund

Full refund if service is cancelled

Amenities on board the train

Wifi

Food sold onboard

Trolley service with drinks and snacks, plus a small selection of hot and cold food items

Seat reservation

Seat reservations are free of charge and recommended for busy routes

Toilets

USB plugs

Accessibility

Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance booking service

Pets

Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger

Quiet zone

Learn more about Transpennine Express

East Midlands Railway

About

East Midlands Trains is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London to the East Midlands, Yorkshire, and the North West. East Midlands Trains operates a fleet of Class 158, Class 156, Class 170, Class 222 and Class 180 diesel multiple units, as well as Class 222 Meridian electric multiple units. East Midlands Trains also offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for East Midlands Trains are London to Nottingham, Sheffield, and Leeds.

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average East Midlands Railway Duration

1h 10m

Cheapest East Midlands Railway Price

£7

Luggage included

2 pieces of luggage and 1 piece of hand luggage included

Luggage storage

Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, under seats

Cancellation Policy

Refund policies apply as per ticket type

Refund

Full refund if train is cancelled

Amenities on board the train

Wifi

Food sold onboard

Trolley service with drinks and snacks on some routes

Seat reservation

Seat reservations available for a fee. Free for Advance ticket holders

Toilets

USB plugs

Accessibility

Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating

Pets

Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs must be on lead and require a ticket (£6 for day ticket)

Quiet zone

Learn more about East Midlands Railway

Northern Rail

About

Northern Trains is a publicly owned train operating company in the United Kingdom, headquartered in York. It runs local and commuter services across the north of England, connecting regions including the North East, North West, East Midlands, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, and the Humber coastline. As part of the National Rail network, Northern operates under a coordinated fare and ticketing system alongside other UK train companies.Ticket types include Advance, Off-Peak, Anytime Day, single, return, and season tickets, with only one class option available: Standard. Onboard amenities may include comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and refreshments on select services. Popular routes include connections between major northern cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds.

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average Northern Rail Duration

1h 10m

Cheapest Northern Rail Price

£11

Northern Rail frequency

5 a day

Luggage included

2 large items of luggage and 1 small hand luggage

Luggage storage

Overhead racks, luggage areas at end of carriages, under seats

Cancellation Policy

See refund policy for ticket types

Refund

Full refund if service canceled

Amenities on board the train

Wifi

Food sold onboard

Trolley service on most services with drinks and snacks. Some stations have cafes and shops

Seat reservation

Seat reservations available but not mandatory. Free of charge when booking advance tickets

Toilets

USB plugs

Accessibility

Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, passenger assistance service available

Pets

Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger

Quiet zone

east_midlands_trains

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average east_midlands_trains Duration

52m

Cheapest east_midlands_trains Price

£16

east_midlands_trains frequency

6 a day

Northern Trains Limited

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average Northern Trains Limited Duration

51m

Cheapest Northern Trains Limited Price

£9

Northern Trains Limited frequency

5 a day

TransPennine Express

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average TransPennine Express Duration

36m

Cheapest TransPennine Express Price

£27

TransPennine Express frequency

16 a day

Complete guide to Birkenhead

Things to do in Birkenhead

Discover the best of Birkenhead — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Birkenhead trip today.

Must visit

Williamson Art Gallery and Museum

Local history museum and art gallery with paintings, social history displays and rotating exhibitions in a civic building near the town centre.

View on map Visit website

Recommended

Birkenhead Priory Museum

Riverside museum set in Birkenhead Priory, interpreting monastic life, local maritime links and the area’s medieval past.

View on map Visit website

Recommended

Wirral Transport Museum

Volunteer-run transport museum with historic trams, buses and exhibits on local public transport, best for enthusiasts and family visits.

View on map Visit website

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for the UK. Birkenhead is usually cheaper than central Liverpool for stays and dining, while local buses, trains and casual meals stay fairly affordable.

Average meal costs

Budget: £7-12 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range: £15-28 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining: £45+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee: £2.80-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Taxis: round up or add 5-10%. Cafes and pubs: tipping is optional, though small change is appreciated for table service.

FAQs: Manchester to Birkenhead train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Birkenhead 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 Birkenhead, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

The cost of a train ticket from Manchester to Birkenhead can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £7, while the average price tends to be around £7.

The train journey from Manchester to Birkenhead covers a distance of 52 km and takes approximately 1h 10m. Trains run 17 per day.

The train distance from Manchester to Birkenhead is 52 km.

The first train from Manchester to Birkenhead leaves at 5:25.

The last train from Manchester to Birkenhead departs at 23:51.

Trains from Manchester to Birkenhead run approximately 17 times per day.

Yes, there is a high-speed train service from Manchester to Birkenhead.

Yes, there is a direct train between Manchester and Birkenhead. The service operates 0 times per day, provided by east_midlands_trains, Northern Trains Limited, TransPennine Express.

To get from Manchester to Birkenhead, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.

There is no night train service from Manchester to Birkenhead.

The train station in Manchester that goes to Birkenhead is Manchester Victoria (MCV), and it arrives at Birkenhead Hamilton Square (BKQ).

The cheapest way to get from Manchester to Birkenhead is by coach, costing approximately £4.

Booking trains from Manchester to Birkenhead in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.

The train journey from Manchester to Birkenhead offers a mix of urban and rural scenery, with views of the Greater Manchester area transitioning to the more pastoral landscapes of Cheshire, providing a pleasant, if not particularly dramatic, visual experience.

Yes, a day trip from Manchester to Birkenhead is feasible. The journey takes 1h 10m, covering a distance of 52 km. Trains run 11 times per day.

To explore Birkenhead's main attractions such as Birkenhead Park, Williamson Art Gallery, and the historic shipyard, a visit of 1-2 days is generally sufficient.

Yes, you can take the train from Manchester to Birkenhead.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Manchester and Birkenhead

Most Manchester to Birkenhead trains use the Manchester Airport to Birkenhead Hamilton Square station pair, with some services arriving at Birkenhead North. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Birkenhead train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Manchester

Arrival train stations in Birkenhead

Which Manchester station do trains to Birkenhead leave from?

Trains from Manchester to Birkenhead leave from Manchester Airport. The station is 13 km from Manchester city centre at Manchester Airport station, Malaga Avenue, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M90 3RR.

Manchester AirportManchester Airport station, Malaga Avenue, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M90 3RR Wifi

City-centre transport

Getting to Manchester Airport from Manchester city centre

Manchester Airport is 13 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainLiverpool Lime Street - Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly - Crewe, Blackpool North - Manchester Airport, Barrow-in-Furness - Manchester Airport, Windermere - Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly - Wilmslow, Manchester Piccadilly - Manchester Airport, Millom - Manchester Airport, Lancaster - Manchester Airport, Manchester Oxford Road - Manchester Airport, Corkickle - Manchester Airport, Preston - Manchester Airport · 17m · £4 · every ~9 min

BusUk980, Uk076, Uk074, Uk072, Ukn23 · 30m · £0.90 · every ~2 min

43, 103 · 1h 2m · £2 · every ~29 min

43, 103 · 1h 6m · £2 · every ~29 min

TramNavy Line · 51m · £4 · every ~16 min

Navy Line · 54m · £4 · every ~8 min

Manchester Airport train station facilities and services

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

Food and drink options are available at Manchester Airport.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Manchester Airport. ATMs are available at Manchester Airport.

Tickets and information

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.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Manchester Airport: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Manchester Airport: Bike Parking.

Accessibility

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.

More about Manchester Airport

Manchester VictoriaManchester Victoria station, Station Approach, Todd Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 1WY Parking

City-centre transport

Getting to Manchester Victoria from Manchester city centre

TrainManchester Airport - Redcar Central, Manchester Airport - Saltburn, Manchester Airport - York, Manchester Piccadilly - York, Manchester Piccadilly - Redcar Central, Manchester Airport - Darlington, Manchester Airport - Sheffield, Liverpool Lime Street - Manchester Victoria, Manchester Airport - Scarborough, Manchester Airport - Hull, Manchester Airport - Huddersfield, Manchester Airport - Middlesbrough, Manchester Airport - Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Airport - Leeds, Manchester Airport - Manchester Victoria · 10m · £0.90 · every ~3 min

Bus41, 135 · 5m · £2 · every ~32 min

T1 · 10m

X43 · 29m · every ~1 min

TramBlue Line, Navy Line, Green Line, Yellow Line · 5m · £2 · every ~23 min

Manchester Victoria train station facilities and services

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.