- Recommended
Cuckfield Museum
A local history museum in Cuckfield covering village life, notable residents, and changing communities in Mid Sussex.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Haywards Heath among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £23 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 0m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £23, while a flight costs an average of £100.
Distance: 312 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£78 Average Price | £23 Average Price Cheapest | £100 Average Price | £64 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 42m Average total duration 3h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 15m Average total duration 7h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 0m Average total duration Fastest 1h 0m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 33m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.9 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | 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 Haywards Heath:
A coach is £55 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Haywards Heath costing on average £78.
A coach is £77 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Haywards Heath costing on average £100.
Other travel options to Haywards Heath take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 12m.
Coach takes on average 7h 45m.
You'll arrive about 1h 21m sooner (3h 12m by train vs 4h 33m by car). Tickets start at around £78 compared to roughly £64 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
Compare coach, train 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.
Trains from Manchester to Haywards Heath run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 12m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £58 but you can travel from only £20 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 03:49, the last at 22:15. The fastest train covers the 312 km distance in 3h 45m.
Distance 312 km |
Average train duration 3h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price £58 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 3h 45m |
First train 3:49 |
Last train 22:15 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Haywards Heath — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Haywards Heath trip today.
A local history museum in Cuckfield covering village life, notable residents, and changing communities in Mid Sussex.
A working watermill and museum in nearby Lindfield, showing milling machinery, engineering, and rural Sussex heritage.
A volunteer-run heritage centre preserving the story of the Bluebell Railway through exhibits, objects, and railway archives.
A large country park with woodland trails, a lake, open meadows, and family-friendly walking close to the town centre.
A broad heathland common with ponds, sports space, and easy paths; a favourite local spot for fresh air and short walks.
A characterful High Street lined with historic buildings, independent shops, and village views, ideal for a gentle stroll.
Sussex pond pudding is a suet pastry pudding filled with butter and lemon, long steamed for a rich sweet-sour finish. It is a classic Sussex speciality.
Chichester lobster is prized Sussex coast shellfish, traditionally served simply to highlight its sweet meat and strong link to local fishing waters.
Sussex smokie is smoked haddock in a creamy sauce, often topped with cheese and grilled. It is a comforting regional fish dish from Sussex.
Established Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant known for grilled meats, mezze and warm service in a relaxed town-centre setting.
Popular Italian restaurant serving pasta, pizza and classic mains in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere near the centre of town.
Traditional pub with British favourites, cask ales and a casual local feel. Good for hearty meals and drinks in a historic setting.
Moderate for southern England: hotels and dining are not cheap, but local buses and rail links offer manageable transport costs for visitors.
Service may be included in restaurants; otherwise tip around 10% for good service. Taxi fares can be rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional, though small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Haywards Heath 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 Haywards Heath, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Haywards Heath trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Haywards Heath station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Haywards Heath 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 Oxford Road 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 Oxford Road.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Oxford Road.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Manchester Oxford Road: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Oxford Road: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Oxford Road: 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.
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.
Haywards Heath has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Haywards Heath.
Wi-Fi is available at Haywards Heath. ATMs are available at Haywards Heath.
Ticket office support is available at Haywards Heath.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Haywards Heath: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Haywards Heath: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Haywards Heath: 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 Ticket Office, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Southern 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: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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