- Recommended
Thurrock Museum
Local heritage museum covering Thurrock life, archaeology and industry, with practical displays useful for understanding the area.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Grays is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Grays will cost around £173 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £173.
To travel from Manchester to Grays you need to make at least one change.

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Trains from Manchester to Grays run on average 25 times per day, taking around 3h 20m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £55 but you can travel from only £10 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 04:46, the last at 20:17. The fastest train covers the 283 km distance in 3h 9m.
Distance 283 km |
Average train duration 3h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price £55 |
Trains per day 25 |
Fastest train 3h 9m |
First train 4:46 |
Last train 20:17 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 7 days |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Manchester to Grays.
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Grays trains for today, Sunday 1 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 20:23 Manchester | 3h02 | 23:25 Ebbsfleet International | 1 change | |
![]() | 20:56 Manchester | 9h41 | 6:37 Ebbsfleet International | 1 change | |
| Monday 2 November | |||||
![]() | 5:05 Manchester | 2h53 | 7:58 Ebbsfleet International | 1 change | |
![]() | 5:55 Manchester | 2h42 | 8:37 Ebbsfleet International | 1 change | |
![]() | 6:55 Manchester | 2h42 | 9:37 Ebbsfleet International | 1 change | |
![]() | 7:15 Manchester | 2h38 | 9:53 Ebbsfleet International | 1 change | |
![]() | 7:35 Manchester | 2h32 | 10:07 Ebbsfleet International | 1 change | |
![]() | 7:55 Manchester | 2h42 | 10:37 Ebbsfleet International | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Grays — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Grays trip today.
Local heritage museum covering Thurrock life, archaeology and industry, with practical displays useful for understanding the area.
Historic fort museum space interpreting Tudor and later coastal defence, artillery and Thames gateway history near Grays.
Military heritage centre within Coalhouse Fort, displaying artefacts and stories linked to Thames defences and local service history.
Popular riverside park with fort remains, sea wall walks, play areas and broad Thames views, ideal for families and walkers.
Riverside green space and nature area with wide skies, estuary views and paths linking local marsh landscapes.
Well-used urban park near the centre with lawns, sports facilities and space for an easy break while exploring Grays.
Jellied eels are chopped eels set in a savoury stock jelly, long linked with East London and the Thames estuary food culture near Grays.
Pie, mash and liquor is a classic East End meal of minced beef pie, mashed potato and parsley sauce, popular across Essex and east London.
Ridgewell pudding is a traditional Essex suet pastry pudding, usually filled with seasoned pork. It reflects older rural cooking in the county.
Popular Turkish restaurant serving grilled meats, meze and fresh bread in a lively, casual setting convenient for Grays diners.
Traditional pub by the river serving British favourites, roast dinners and drinks in a relaxed historic setting near Grays.
Smart modern Indian restaurant known locally for curries, tandoori dishes and attentive service in a comfortable dining room.
Moderate for south-east England. Meals and transport are manageable, but hotel prices can be higher than in smaller UK towns, especially near London links.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up for taxis and small café bills if service is good.
Official public transport app
Grays station -> London Fenchurch Street, London
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Grays.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Grays 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 Grays, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Grays trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Grays station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Grays 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.
Grays has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Grays.
Wi-Fi is available at Grays.
Ticket office support is available at Grays. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 03457 44 44 22, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Grays: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Grays: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Grays: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: There are no lifts at the station, but step free access is available from Station Approach to platform 1 and Crown Road to platforms 2/3, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Check train stations information for Manchester and Grays, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.
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