Happy Valentine's! New to Omio? Get 14% off your first app booking. Valid until 16/02/2025.
14% discount applied on bookings with a total basket value up to €100.
Valid for first-time customers only
Only available on app bookings
This offer ends on 16/02/2025.
Limit one (1) coupon code per eligible booking. Cannot be combined, transferred or exchanged.
For full terms and conditions: https://www.omio.com/coupon

Manchester to Birmingham train time and tickets from £23

Thu, 13 Feb
+ Add return
QR-Code
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
rate4.9
42K ratings
Google Play
rate4.6
136K reviews

Cheap train tickets from Manchester to Birmingham

Showing times and prices for 14 Feb

Cheapest

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

Cheapest
Cross CountryP12047
09:031h30
Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
10:33Birmingham New Street (BHM)
£251One-way
0 changes
Cross CountryP12042
08:031h30
Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
09:33Birmingham New Street (BHM)
£291One-way
0 changes
Cross CountryP11854
08:251h31
Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
09:56Birmingham New Street (BHM)
£291One-way
0 changes
Cross CountryP12705
09:091h47
Manchester Oxford Road (MCO)
10:56Birmingham New Street (BHM)
£681One-way
1 change
West Midlands RailwayW19115
08:301h50
Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
10:20Birmingham New Street (BHM)
£691One-way
1 change

Manchester to Birmingham train times

Showing trains for tomorrow, Friday 14 February
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChangesTickets
Cross Country
P12042
Cross CountryP12042
08:03 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)1h30 09:33 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesDirect
Cross Country
P11854
Cross CountryP11854
08:25 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)1h31 09:56 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesDirect
West Midlands Railway
W19115
Transport for WalesW19115
08:30 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)1h50 10:20 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
Cross Country
P12047
Cross CountryP12047
09:03 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)1h30 10:33 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesDirect
Cross Country
P12705
Transpennine ExpressP12705
09:09 Manchester Oxford Road (MCO)1h47 10:56 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Manchester to Birmingham by train or coach

Thu
13 Feb
Fri
14 Feb
Sat
15 Feb
Sun
16 Feb
Mon
17 Feb
Tue
18 Feb
Wed
19 Feb
Thu
20 Feb
Fri
21 Feb
Sat
22 Feb
Sun
23 Feb
Mon
24 Feb
Tue
25 Feb
Wed
26 Feb
Thu
27 Feb
Fri
28 Feb
Sat
01 Mar
Sun
02 Mar
Mon
03 Mar
Tue
04 Mar
Wed
05 Mar

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

The best time to book your train from Manchester to Birmingham is days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Manchester to Birmingham route.
Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Manchester to Birmingham 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 Birmingham.

Train times from Manchester to Birmingham

Showing times and prices for 14 Feb

Fastest Journey

1 h 30 m

Average

1 h 38 m

Trains per day

5

Distance

113 km

Of the 5 trains that leave Manchester for Birmingham every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

Fastest
Cross CountryP12047
09:031h30
Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
10:33Birmingham New Street (BHM)
£251One-way
0 changes
Fastest
Cross CountryP12042
08:031h30
Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
09:33Birmingham New Street (BHM)
£291One-way
0 changes
Cross CountryP11854
08:251h31
Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
09:56Birmingham New Street (BHM)
£291One-way
0 changes
Cross CountryP12705
09:091h47
Manchester Oxford Road (MCO)
10:56Birmingham New Street (BHM)
£681One-way
1 change
West Midlands RailwayW19115
08:301h50
Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
10:20Birmingham New Street (BHM)
£691One-way
1 change

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Virgin Trains
East Coast
Cross Country
Deutsche Bahn

Journey information

Overview: Train from Manchester to Birmingham

Trains from Manchester to Birmingham run on average 28 times per day, taking around 1h 33m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £9 but you can travel from only £6 by bus.
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 £6
Distance
113 km
Average train duration
1h 33m
Cheapest ticket price
£9
Trains per day
28
Direct trains
16
Train providers
5
Fastest train
1h 28m
First train
01:21
Last train
23:25
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 £6

Train companies: CrossCountry, West Midlands Trains and Virgin Trains trains Manchester to Birmingham

CrossCountry, West Midlands Trains and Virgin Trains trains will get you from Manchester to Birmingham from £8. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Cross Country trains are a UK-based train operator that provides services across the country including trains between Manchester and Birmingham. They offer a range of services, from express services to local services, and have a variety of ticket types to suit different needs. Their express services, such as the CrossCountry Voyager and CrossCountry XC Trains, offer a fast and comfortable journey, with onboard facilities such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a selection of snacks and drinks. Their local services, such as the CrossCountry Regional and CrossCountry Regional Express, provide a more leisurely journey, with stops at smaller stations along the way. They also offer a range of ticket types, such as Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak tickets, to suit different budgets and travel needs. The most popular routes for Cross Country trains include London to Birmingham, Manchester to Edinburgh, and Bristol to Reading.

Train information from Manchester to Birmingham with CrossCountry:

  • Average Duration: 1 h 30 min
  • Cheapest Price: £8
  • CrossCountry frequency: 10 a day

Trains from Manchester to Birmingham

Among the fastest ways to connect Manchester and Birmingham involves taking affordable trains that service the route, an approximately 70 mile (113 km) stretch. The journey from Manchester to Birmingham by train lasts roughly 1h 30min if direct; however, some journeys may have one or two changeovers. The longest duration a train to Birmingham from Manchester has is around 2 hours. Passengers travelling from Manchester to Birmingham can choose from an estimated 45 daily departures. The number of daily trips remains static on weekdays and weekends.

Manchester to Birmingham Train Time: Daily Departures

Nearly 45 trains travel from Manchester to Birmingham every day throughout the week. Thus, the route receives roughly 315 weekly departures. If you need to get to Birmingham early in the morning, you can catch the first departure around 05:00 and arrive at about 07:00. After this early trip, up to three trains leave Manchester for Birmingham every hour. On weekdays, the last departure exits the terminal in Manchester at roughly 22:00 and reaches its destination at approximately 23:30. However, weekend trains finish their trips slightly earlier, as the last departure has an exit time of about 21:30.

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

If you board one of the trains from Manchester to Birmingham for a direct trip, it may take you an estimated 1h 30min to travel. But not all trains are direct, which translates to longer travel times. Trips with two changeovers can last nearly 2 hours. Some of the places you may have a layover include Crewe, Tamworth and Stock.

Downtown Manchester. Source: Shutterstock

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Manchester to Birmingham?

Departure train station: When you take a train from Manchester to Birmingham, Manchester Piccadilly will be the departure terminal. Usually, the station is busy but has the required security to keep it safe. Between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester city centre, there is a distance measuring nearly 0.9 miles (1.4 km). Without luggage, it is enjoyable strolling towards downtown Manchester from the terminal. The walk takes about 15min. Taxis, which connect Manchester Piccadilly and central Manchester in approximately 10min, can also serve you. Stagecoach Manchester buses, a cheap transfer means, get to the city centre in about 10min as well. At Manchester Piccadilly, you can use amenities like toilets and Wi-Fi at no cost. There are also parking spaces, luggage-storage services, ticket offices, shops, restaurants and lounges where you can relax and read a magazine. Assistants to help people with disabilities are also available.

Arrival train station: Birmingham New Street is the terminal where a Manchester to Birmingham train arrives. Since the terminal is about 0.3 miles (0.4 km) from central Birmingham, it is possible to walk to the city centre in almost 5min. In a cab, travelling from Birmingham New Street to downtown Birmingham requires roughly 10min. Buses are not available for the short trip. Birmingham New Street is a modernised terminal with amenities like free Wi-Fi, lockers to keep luggage, cash points and retail stores. Passengers with disabilities can get assistance at this terminal.

Which train companies travel from Manchester to Birmingham?

CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Trains work to provide trains from Manchester to Birmingham. CrossCountry is the oldest of the travel firms, having commenced services in 2007. CrossCountry and Avanti West Coast trains have an average speed of 125 mph (200 kph), while West Midlands Trains travel slower, at approximately 110 mph (177 kph). While the companies are private enterprises, the largest investors in CrossCountry and Avanti West Coast are British. On the other hand, West Midlands Trains is a Dutch and Japanese holding company’s subsidiary.

Night trains Manchester

Roughly five night trains are available for passengers in Manchester who wish to get to Birmingham. At roughly 19:00, the first night train for the Manchester-Birmingham rail route starts its voyage. The long-distance locomotive takes about 2 hours to travel there and reaches Birmingham around 21:30. On weekdays, the last night train you can take is at about 22:00; however, you might need to get to Manchester Piccadilly early on weekends, since the last Manchester to Birmingham train departs at approximately 21:30.

CrossCountry trains from Manchester to Birmingham

CrossCountry provides nearly 16 trips from Manchester to Birmingham. The company’s trains don’t have changeovers and maintain a medium speed of around 125 mph (200 kph). On average, they take 1h 30min to finish their journeys.

West Midlands Trains trains from Manchester to Birmingham

West Midlands Trains generally runs the most affordable trains from Manchester to Birmingham. The company offers around 25 trips per day, which last around 2 hours. Most train rides are not direct and can have stops at Stoke-on-Trent or Crewe.

Avanti West Coast trains from Manchester to Birmingham

Some of the faster Manchester to Birmingham trips are by Avanti West Coast. The company runs approximately four departures, with durations of roughly 1h 30min. While some Avanti West Coast journeys are direct, others feature stopovers in Crewe, Stafford or Nuneaton.

Trains from Manchester to Birmingham: Sustainability travel

Through environmental management systems, CrossCountry ensures its trains make the world greener. The company’s leadership spearheads several environmental conservation initiatives, to reduce pollution from trains. West Midlands Trains implement favourable disposal mechanisms and carbon-emission-cutting strategies to reduce pollution. From time to time, the company presents an environmental and sustainability report that outlines new conservation targets and what West Midlands Trains is doing to achieve them. With Avanti West Coast, the philosophy of reduce, reuse, recycle is widely implemented. For example, the company uses leak detection systems to avoid water loss. Further, Avanti West Coast monitors and consistently reduces energy consumption in their trains and terminals.

Train Manchester to Birmingham: Services on Board

The commendable services provided aboard the Manchester-Birmingham trains coupled with affordable fares give you an ideal travel experience. On CrossCountry, West Midlands Trains and Avanti West Coast trains, standard and first-class seating classes are available. Some of the services you can expect are power points for device charging and Wi-Fi. You can also find toilets equipped with baby-changing tables. If you prefer some coffee, snacks or hot food on board, you may have to travel first class. The luxurious seating class has widely spaced, padded seats. If you need your pet on the train, Manchester to Birmingham trains will not charge you. However, you may have to pay extra if you have more than one animal with you. When it comes to free luggage transport, CrossCountry allows one item, while Avanti West Coast allows two. On West Midlands Trains, three luggage pieces are allowable. If your bag is small, you can tuck it under the seat in front of you or the overhead compartment. Also, bringing your folded bike on the train is free. The three companies provide care for disabled passengers through trained staff members.

How to find cheap train tickets from Manchester to Birmingham?

Trains from Manchester to Birmingham offer travel discounts from time to time. You can reduce your transport expenses by buying a flexible ticket through Omio, so you can travel when maximum discounts are available. Also, slower trains that allow stopovers generally charge less than high-speed rides. For even cheaper train tickets, be sure to book a seat on the train in advance of the day you travel to Birmingham from Manchester.

Guardian statue in Birmingham. Source: Shutterstock

To Birmingham by train—travel tips

Heritage enthusiasts, art lovers and outdoor admirers will find Birmingham a city to reckon with. Kick off your visit by checking out the interactive exhibit at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, which tells of Birmingham’s past. You can explore even more history at the University of Birmingham campus, in the educational Lapworth Museum of Geology or the Library of Birmingham. For some fresh outdoor air, stroll around Cannon Hill Park or the expansive green fields of Winterbourne House and Garden. Further, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery are available to dazzle you with outstanding arts. Before waving goodbye to the city, be sure to experience local dishes at the top restaurants in Birmingham.

  • Opheem
  • The Ivy Temple Row
  • Original Patty Men Birmingham
  • The Beeches Hungry Horse
  • Gianmarco’s
  • La Galleria
  • SAW BBQ

FAQs: Manchester to Birmingham train

FAQs: Travel by train from Manchester to Birmingham easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Manchester to Birmingham.
FAQs
Cheap train tickets from Manchester to Birmingham can start from as little as £9 when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Manchester to Birmingham is £19; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by train from Manchester to Birmingham is 1 h 28 min   to travel the 70 mile long trip, with around there are 7 trains per day. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays.
The first train from Manchester to Birmingham leaves at 01: 21. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The last train from Manchester to Birmingham leaves at 23: 25.
Yes, it is possible to travel from Manchester to Birmingham without having to change trains with CrossCountry or Avanti West Coast. There are 5 direct trains from Manchester to Birmingham each day. There may be fewer direct services available on weekends or holidays.
For the best Manchester to Birmingham train to buy, you can travel safely and comfortably with CrossCountry, West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast or Northern Rail (3). However, it's always good to check all possible train companies with services to Birmingham from Manchester to compare what amenities they may offer.
No, there are no night trains, the latest train for this route is 23: 25.

Passengers board the train most frequently from Manchester Piccadilly, which is located around 0.5 miles (767 m) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Birmingham New Street, located 1.7 miles (2.7 km) away from the city centre.

A day trip to Birmingham from Manchester is worth doing with a journey time of 1 h 28 min each way. Check with Omio app   the best way to travel.
The cheapest month to travel from Manchester to Birmingham by train is April.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Manchester and Birmingham including taking a train or coach.

Important Stations and Airports in Manchester and Birmingham

Manchester
Birmingham
The major train station for departures in Manchester is Manchester Piccadilly. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Manchester Piccadilly for your trip from Manchester to Birmingham.
Amenities at train station
WifiWifi
LockersLockers
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
HotelHotel
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
phone
Phone Number
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30
  • Sun: 07:00 - 22:30
Wifi
Wifi
  • Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi.
Lockers
Lockers
  • Operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Dining
Dining
  • Burger King
  • Caffè Nero
  • Carluccio’s
  • Hotel Chocolat
  • Starbucks
  • The Pasty Shop
  • Costa Coffee
  • Pret a Manger
  • Upper Crust
  • McDonald's
  • & more
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
Hotel
Hotel
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly
  • Premier Inn Manchester City
  • Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly
Ticket Office
Ticket Office
  • Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30
  • Sun: 07:00 - 22:30
Public transport options for Manchester Piccadilly
  • Bus lines: 1, 2, 3, 147
  • Train lines: Northern, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Trains, Transport for Wales
The major train station for arrivals in Birmingham is Birmingham International. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Birmingham International for your journey to Birmingham from Manchester.
Amenities at train station
WifiWifi
ShoppingShopping
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
LoungeLounge
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:40 - 21:00 Saturday 06:15 - 21:00 Sunday 08:15 - 21:00
ticketOfficeHours
Distance to city center
12 km
Parking
Parking
  • Car Park: Station Car Park
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Staff help available: Yes
  • Step free access coverage: Yes
  • Step free access note: This station has step-free access to all platforms / the platform
  • Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided
  • 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
WC
WC
  • Toilets Location: The accessible toilets are located on the Concourse.
  • National key toilets: No
  • Baby changing facilities: Yes
Lounge
Lounge
  • Waiting rooms location: Closed until further notice.
Public transport options for Birmingham International
  • Location for Rail Replacement Services: Rail replacement coach services can be found at the front of the station opposite the entrance to the long stay car park.
Amenities at train station
WifiWifi
ShoppingShopping
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
HotelHotel
LoungeLounge
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:40 - 00:10 Saturday 05:55 - 23:55 Sunday 08:40 - 00:10
Shopping
Shopping
  • Type of shops available: Newsagent, Flower stall
Parking
Parking
  • Car Park: No
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Staff help available: Yes
  • Step free access coverage: Yes
  • Step free access note: Step Free Access Category A. Step free access to all platforms.
  • Accessible taxis: If you would like us to assist you in booking an accessible taxi for your onward journey please contact 03456 005 165.
  • Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
  • Ramp for train access: Yes
  • Wheelchairs available: Yes
  • Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
WC
WC
  • National key toilets: Yes
  • Baby changing facilities: Yes
  • Baby changing facilities location: Female toilets
Lounge
Lounge
  • Waiting rooms location: Waiting rooms are located on Platform 1 and between platforms 3 & 4.
Public transport options for Birmingham Moor Street
  • Location for Rail Replacement Services: This station is not usually served by rail replacement buses, due to difficult road access. Replacement buses stop at Birmingham Snow Hill station.
Amenities at train station
WifiWifi
LockersLockers
ShoppingShopping
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
HotelHotel
LoungeLounge
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Mon - Sat: 05:15 - 23:00
  • Sun: 07:30 - 23:00
Wifi
Wifi
  • Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available from Sky Wi-Fi The Cloud.
Lockers
Lockers
  • You can leave bags with Excess Baggage Co inside the entrance off Hill Street.
Shopping
Shopping
  • Type of shops available: Boots located on the main concourse, before the ticket barrier Camden Food located beyond the ticket barrier Costa located beyond the ticket barrier next to Platform 5b escalator Funky Pigeon located beyond the ticket barrier between Platform escalators 9-10 M&S Food located on the main concourse Mi Casa Burritos located beyond the ticket barrier next to Platform 9 escalator The Pasty Shop located beyond the ticket barrier next to Platform 7 escalator W H Smith located on the main concourse, before the ticket barrier
Parking
Parking
  • Car Park: Short Stay Car Park
Dining
Dining
  • All Bar One
  • Leon
  • Caffè Nero
  • Five Guys
  • Krispy Kreme
  • The Pasty Shop
  • Upper Crust
  • Wasabi
  • Starbucks
  • Hotel Chocolat
Taxis
Taxis
  • Taxi: Taxis drop off with the 'drop & go' in the Hill Street entrance. The taxi rank is on Navigation Street (Stephenson Street / Victoria Square exit). For more information visit Traintaxi
  • Accessible taxis: Taxis drop off within the 'drop & go' off the Hill Street entrance. The taxi rank is on Navigation Street (Stephenson Street / Victoria Square exit). All taxis are accessible with manual wheelchairs, most are accessible with electric wheelchairs. For more information visit Traintaxi
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Step-free access in the whole station and ramps available for train access. All platforms have elevators and escalators.
WC
WC
  • Toilets Location: Male, Female, Accessible and Baby Change facilities are available in all parts of the station. These are located between: Platforms 2 - 3a (Blue Lounge) Platforms 10 - 11a (Yellow Lounge) Platforms 10 - 11b (Red Lounge)
  • National key toilets: Yes
  • National key toilets location: Close to Platforms 1A and 12A and Platforms 10 and 11B
  • Baby changing facilities: Yes
  • Baby changing facilities location: Female toilets,Male toilets
Hotel
Hotel
  • Holiday Inn Birmingham City Center
  • Premier Inn Birmingham City Center (New St Station)
  • Radisson Blue Hotel, Birmingham
Lounge
Lounge
  • Waiting rooms location: There are two large seating areas beyond the ticket barrier between the escalators to platforms 5b and 8b. All platforms have waiting areas with seating
Ticket Office
Ticket Office
  • Mon - Sat: 05:15 - 23:00
  • Sun: 07:30 - 23:00
Public transport options for Birmingham New Street
  • Bus lines: N5, N6, N8, 4, 9, 23, 45, 50, 61, X51, X70
  • Train lines: West Midlands, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, Transport for Wales
  • Onward travel information: There are nearby bus stops on Smallbrook Queensway and Hill Street Most buses are wheelchair accessible. ********************************************************************************************************** For information go to the local travel information office by the Stephenson Street entrance. Alternatively, visit Transport for West Midlands, or call 0121 214 7214.

More options for your journey from Manchester to Birmingham

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTrainsTrain Times to Birmingham Manchester to Birmingham train time and tickets from £23

The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.

ios-badge
android-badge
Hand With Phone
More routes, destinations and providers
Currency
Language