The cheapest and fastest trains from Manchester to Harpenden
Cheapest price
£88
Average price
£151
Fastest journey
3 h 26 m
Average duration
3 h 56 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
224 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Harpenden is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Harpenden will cost around £151 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £88.
Of the 2 trains that leave Manchester for Harpenden every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 224 km distance in an average of 3 h 56 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 26 m .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 26 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.




Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Manchester to Harpenden
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Harpenden among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £16. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 0m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £16, and a flight costs an average of £143.
Distance: 224 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Coach |
|---|---|---|
£86 Average Price | £143 Average Price | £16 Average Price Cheapest |
3h 52m Average total duration 3h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 0m Average total duration Fastest 1h 0m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 50m Average total duration 3h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Manchester to Harpenden train times
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Harpenden trains for today, Sunday 9 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 07:05 Manchester | 4h17 | 11:22 Harpenden | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 07:12 Manchester | 3h39 | 10:51 Harpenden | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 07:26 Manchester | 4h22 | 11:48 Harpenden | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 08:20 Manchester | 4h15 | 12:35 Harpenden | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Manchester to Harpenden by train, coach or flight
Compare train, coach and flight 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.
10 Nov
11 Nov
12 Nov
13 Nov
14 Nov
15 Nov
16 Nov
Journey information
Overview: Train from Manchester to Harpenden
Trains from Manchester to Harpenden run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 22m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £76 but you can travel from only £16 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 01:02, the last at 21:08. The fastest train covers the 224 km distance in 3h 20m.
Distance 224 km |
Average train duration 3h 22m |
Cheapest ticket price £76 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 3h 20m |
First train 01:02 |
Last train 21:08 |
Train companies: Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Trains from Manchester to Harpenden trainsAvanti West Coast, East Midlands Trains trains will get you between Manchester and Harpenden from £16. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Avanti West Coast
East Midlands Trains
FAQs: Manchester to Harpenden train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Harpenden 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 Harpenden, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Manchester and Harpenden
- Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 06:20 - 19:35 Sunday 09:00 - 16:30
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Category C station, From Albert Road up 20 steps to reach the ticket office, then for services to Manchester up a further 26 steps onto the platform. For Services towards Stockport from ticket office go through the underpass (29 paces) and up 26 steps onto the platform.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: No
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Onward travel information: On both sides of Albert Road for buses to Manchester, Reddish, Stockport or Droylsden. Busline 0871 200 2233
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: the bus stop for Manchester Pic is located on the station side of Stockport Road. The bus stop for Stockport is located on the opposite side of Stockport Road.
- Metro: GMPTE 0161 228 7811
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:30 - 22:40 Sunday 07:30 - 22:00
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Category B Station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station - There are two lifts at the Piccadilly end of platform 4 and 2/3 which connect the concourse area platform 4 and 5 with 2/3. Note: there is no lift access to platform 1 at all
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: There will be no toilet provision at Manchester Oxford Road from 15th July to 25th July to allow for existing toilets to be refurbished
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: on Platform 4/5
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at the bus stops on Whitworth St West (200 yards from station) (station side for Liverpool, opposite side for Piccadilly)
- Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30
- Sun: 07:00 - 22:30
- Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi.
- Operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
- Burger King
- Caffè Nero
- Carluccio’s
- Hotel Chocolat
- Starbucks
- The Pasty Shop
- Costa Coffee
- Pret a Manger
- Upper Crust
- McDonald's
- & more
- There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly
- Premier Inn Manchester City
- Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly
- Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30
- Sun: 07:00 - 22:30
- Located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
- Bus lines: 1, 2, 3, 147
- Train lines: Northern, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Trains, Transport for Wales
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:30 - 22:00 Sunday 08:00 - 22:15
- Car Park: No
- 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
- Toilets Location: A key is available in the Duty's Manager's office.
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: on platform and approach
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick up point is on Station Approach (M3 1WY) directly outside the station main entrance, outside the M & S shop.
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:45 - 20:15 Saturday 06:15 - 19:15 Sunday 07:15 - 20:15
- Type of shops available: Coffee shop
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Taxi: YES
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms. Assistance Meeting Point is the front of the station Ticket Office entrance.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: Platform 4
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Waiting rooms location: Heated waiting areas are available on platform 1, 2 and 3
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Platform 1 and 4 and station car park
- Storage CCTV: Yes
Most popular train connections from Manchester
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