- Recommended
Gainsborough Heritage Centre
Local history museum in the former town hall, covering Gainsborough's people, industry, and Pilgrim roots. Good for an accessible introduction.
Cheapest price
£36
Average price
£36
Fastest journey
2 h 16 m
Average duration
2 h 16 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
98 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Gainsborough is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Gainsborough will cost around £36 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £36.
Of the 1 trains that leave Manchester for Gainsborough every day 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 98 km distance in an average of 2 h 16 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 16 m .
The slowest trains will take 2 h 16 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.


The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Gainsborough trains for today, Wednesday 19 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:13 Manchester | 2h16 | 11:29 Gainsborough | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 10:13 Manchester | 2h16 | 12:29 Gainsborough | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Manchester to Gainsborough run on average 6 times per day, taking around 1h 47m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £35 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 05:43, the last at 22:13. The fastest train covers the 98 km distance in 2h 16m.
Distance 98 km |
Average train duration 1h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price £35 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 2h 16m |
First train 5:43 |
Last train 22:13 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Gainsborough — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Gainsborough trip today.
Local history museum in the former town hall, covering Gainsborough's people, industry, and Pilgrim roots. Good for an accessible introduction.
Independent gallery and arts venue with changing exhibitions, workshops, and performances. Worth visiting for contemporary local creative work.
Museum and exhibition spaces within the historic hall, presenting furnished interiors and stories from medieval to modern Gainsborough.
Large landscaped park with lake, gardens, walking paths, and play areas. Popular for relaxed strolls and family time close to the centre.
Riverside green space and path along the Trent, suited to easy walks and views of the water, bridges, and passing boats.
The town's main shopping street, useful for seeing everyday Gainsborough, historic frontages, and easy access to nearby landmarks.
Lincolnshire sausages are coarse pork sausages seasoned with sage. They are a county classic and commonly served with mash or in breakfast dishes.
Haslet is a seasoned Lincolnshire pork loaf made with offal and herbs, usually eaten cold in slices. It is a longstanding local butcher’s speciality.
Plum bread is a Lincolnshire fruit loaf with dried fruit and spice, often served sliced with butter. It is a traditional regional teatime favourite.
Casual riverside venue with a broad menu of pub favourites, grills and drinks, suited to an easy meal in the town centre area.
Smart Indian restaurant known for curries and tandoori dishes, offering a more polished dining option for an evening meal.
Traditional pub in Gainsborough serving classic British meals and drinks in a relaxed setting popular with locals.
Moderate for the UK. Gainsborough is usually cheaper than major cities for stays and dining, with low local transport needs and reasonable pub and café prices.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up in cafés and for taxis; no tip is expected for quick takeaway.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Gainsborough 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 Gainsborough, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Gainsborough trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Gainsborough Lea Road station pair, with some services arriving at Gainsborough Central. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Gainsborough train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Manchester Piccadilly has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, Caffè Nero, Carluccio’s, Hotel Chocolat, Starbucks, The Pasty Shop, Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, Upper Crust, McDonald's, & more
Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi. ATMs are there are ATM machines on the main concourse, Platform 10 and on the mezzanine level.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30, Sun: 07:00 - 22:30. Information desks are located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
Luggage storage is operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Piccadilly: There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly, Premier Inn Manchester City, Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly.
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.
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.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Victoria.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Victoria.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Manchester Victoria: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Victoria: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Victoria: 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.
Gainsborough Lea Road has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility and Hotel.
Food and drink options are available at Gainsborough Lea Road.
Available at Gainsborough Lea Road: Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gainsborough Lea Road: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category B. Both platforms have step free access via ramps with a moderate gradient. However both ramps are 60 meters in length. Access between platforms is via a subway. This station has tactile paving at the edge of platform 2 but not at the edge of platform 1, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Taxi number displayed on useful information poster, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Gainsborough Central is 1 km from Gainsborough city centre. Public transport options include:
Gainsborough Central has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Gainsborough Central.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Gainsborough Central: Parking.
Available at Gainsborough Central: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gainsborough Central: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category B station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station Scooter Friendly Station - this station is unstaffed, access is available between platforms using a barrow crossing across the track, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Station Entrance, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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