Manchester to Faro train

Trains from Manchester to Faro

The train trip from Manchester to Faro is no small undertaking. This 30- to 43-hour trip passes through several historic cities, including York, Paris, and Lisbon, as well as the French countryside. This variable, multilegged route always begins at Manchester Piccadilly once or twice per day.

Manchester to Faro train times: Daily departures

The logistics of this complex cross-continental rail trip mean route options vary greatly. While the trip can be started on any day of the week, some days have only one departure time and some have two. Saturdays consistently have two departure times, although these vary. As a rough guide, the first train departs at around 12:50 a.m. The time of any other departures, if there are any, varies greatly from day to day.

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

Trains from Manchester to Faro take between 30 and 43 hours. These routes involve at least four transfers, although five is more common.

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

Departure train station: All trains from Manchester to Faro depart from Manchester Piccadilly, the city's main train station. It's southeast of Manchester's city centre, around 15 minutes' walk away. The station is well served by intercity and cross-country services, but more locally, it can be accessed via the city's extensive metro and bus routes. The station's main concourse has a wide variety of bars, shops, and food outlets.

Arrival train station: All trains from Manchester to Faro finish their journey at Faro's main railway station. It's on the western edge of the city centre, about 10 minutes' walk from the city's heart. It receives intercity and other regional train lines. The small station building doesn't have much in the way of refreshments and facilities, but there's plenty within a few minutes' walk, including bars, cafés, and shops.

Which train companies travel from Manchester to Faro?

There are five train companies involved in the train journey from Manchester to Faro. The first leg, usually between Manchester and York, is operated by the TransPennine Express. This is followed by the LNER service to London King's Cross. The version of the route that runs from Manchester to London St Pancras is operated by Avanti West Coast. From there, it's the Eurostar service to Paris Nord, where travellers will need to change to SNCF's service from Paris Montparnasse to Hendaye. The trip into Portugal takes travellers from Hendaye on the RENFE service to Lisbon, with the final leg on the CP service between Lisbon and Faro.

TransPennine Express Manchester to York

TransPennine Express runs approximately seven times per hour from 7:00 a.m. with around 18 trains before that directly from Manchester to York. Journey times are between one and 2.5 hours.

Avanti West Coast Manchester to London

Avanti West Coast operates direct trains from Manchester Piccadilly to York train station. Journeys last just over two hours, and the service runs every 15 minutes throughout the day.

LNER York to London

The LNER service between York and London averages around two hours 15 minutes, with around two or three trains per hour. The train is direct and the fastest way to travel between these two stations.

Eurostar London to Paris

Eurostar operates direct trains from London to Paris regularly throughout the day. The trip takes an average of about two hours 20 minutes.

SNCF Paris to Hendaye

SNCF's service from Paris to Hendaye is run by TGV inOui. The direct route takes just under five hours on average and runs throughout the day.

RENFE Hendaye to Lisbon

The RENFE service between Hendaye and Lisboa Oriente operates just once per day. The overnight sleeper service lasts 13 hours 45 minutes, and is the only route between these two stations.

CP Lisbon to Faro

This CP service directly between Lisbon and Faro leaves three times a day. It takes around three hours.

Manchester to Faro trains: Services on board

All train services on this route, except the RENFE stretch, offer a first-class option. Bicycles are permitted on all services but require separate bookings. All trains have wheelchair access. Pets, excluding guide dogs, cannot travel on the Eurostar. The luggage limit is capped at one 20 kg piece per person due to restrictions on the final leg.

How to find cheap train tickets from Manchester to Faro

This long trip can be pricey, so it's important to book as far in advance as possible and be flexible on potential dates to save cash. Although there are fewer four-leg routes, they are cheaper.