- Recommended
National Waterways Museum Gloucester
Museum inside a Victorian dock warehouse with boat displays, canal history and exhibits on Gloucester’s trading links and waterways.
Cheapest price on 17 Sept
£27
Average ticket price on 17 Sept
£77
Fastest journey on 17 Sept
2 h 35 m
Average journey duration on 17 Sept
2 h 58 m
Trains on 17 Sept
4
Distance
180 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Gloucester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Gloucester will cost around £77 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £27.
On Thu 17 Sept, we found 4 trains from Manchester to Gloucester, including 4 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 180 km distance in an average of 2 h 58 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 35 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 24 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.








Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Gloucester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £16 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 23m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £16, while a train costs an average of £40.
Distance: 180 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£40 Average Price | £16 Average Price Cheapest | £36 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 23m Average total duration Fastest 2h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 47m Average total duration 4h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 41m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Gloucester:
A coach is £23 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Gloucester costing on average £40.
Other travel options to Gloucester take longer:
Coach takes on average 4h 17m.
Tickets start at around £40 compared to roughly £36 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-3.43. The journey takes 2h 53m versus 2h 41m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Gloucester trains for tomorrow, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:23 Manchester | 3h03 | 9:26 Gloucester | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:25 Manchester | 2h51 | 11:16 Gloucester | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:25 Manchester | 3h24 | 12:49 Gloucester | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 19:25 Manchester | 2h35 | 22:00 Gloucester | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and train 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 Gloucester run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 53m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £17 but you can travel from only £11 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 04:48, the last at 23:36. The fastest train covers the 180 km distance in 2h 45m.
Distance 180 km |
Average train duration 2h 53m |
Cheapest ticket price £17 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 2h 45m |
First train 4:48 |
Last train 23:36 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Gloucester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Gloucester trip today.
Museum inside a Victorian dock warehouse with boat displays, canal history and exhibits on Gloucester’s trading links and waterways.
City museum covering Gloucester’s Roman origins, local archaeology, folk life and art in a convenient central location.
Museum dedicated to the Gloucestershire Regiment, with military collections, personal stories and displays inside historic custom house buildings.
Historic docklands with waterside walks, restored warehouses, boats and public spaces. A popular area for scenery, heritage and easy strolling.
Pedestrianised city-centre street lined with historic buildings, shops and arcades. Useful for exploring Gloucester’s urban character on foot.
Main civic square with seating, events and surrounding heritage buildings. A practical starting point for seeing the cathedral quarter and centre.
A protected blue cheese from nearby Berkeley in Gloucestershire, known for its creamy texture and strong savoury flavour.
A traditional Gloucestershire cider made from local apples, important in the county’s orchard and pub culture.
A rich fruit loaf associated with Gloucestershire, usually made with dried fruit, spice and tea, and often served sliced with butter.
Long-established Indian restaurant in the city centre, known for classic curries and polished service in elegant surroundings.
Popular waterside restaurant at Gloucester Docks serving burgers, brunch and grills in a lively modern setting.
Stylish bistro in Gloucester Docks known for British and European plates, cocktails and a relaxed contemporary atmosphere.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals are manageable for most city-break budgets.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up for taxis. Cafes usually do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Gloucester station -> Gloucester Docks
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Gloucester 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 Gloucester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Gloucester trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Gloucester station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Gloucester 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.
Gloucester has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Gloucester.
Wi-Fi is available at Gloucester. ATMs are available at Gloucester.
Ticket office support is available at Gloucester.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Gloucester: Parking, WC.
Available at Gloucester: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gloucester: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step Free Category A station - step free access available to all platforms with liftbridge to link platforms, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, 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.
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