- Recommended
Hertford Museum
Local museum in a former school building, covering Hertford’s history through objects, photographs and changing displays.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£73
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£73
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
3 h 43 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
3 h 43 m
Trains on 18 Sept
1
Distance
237 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Hertford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Hertford will cost around £73 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £73.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 1 trains from Manchester to Hertford, including 1 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 237 km distance in an average of 3 h 43 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 43 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 43 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 coach as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Hertford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £53 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 47m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £53, while a flight costs an average of £282.
Distance: 237 km
| Train | Most popular Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£119 Average Price | £53 Average Price Cheapest | £282 Average Price | £47 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 54m Average total duration 3h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 58m Average total duration 5h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 47m Average total duration Fastest 1h 47m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 42m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Hertford:
A coach is £66 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Hertford costing on average £119.
A coach is £229 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Hertford costing on average £282.
Other travel options to Hertford take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 24m.
Coach takes on average 5h 28m.
You'll arrive about 18m sooner (3h 24m by train vs 3h 42m by car). Tickets start at around £119 compared to roughly £47 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.
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Hertford trains for tomorrow, Friday 18 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:14 Manchester | 3h43 | 11:57 Hertford | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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 Hertford run on average 4 times per day, taking around 3h 24m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £95 but you can travel from only £47 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:05, the last at 20:39. The fastest train covers the 237 km distance in 2h 58m.
Distance 237 km |
Average train duration 3h 24m |
Cheapest ticket price £95 |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 2h 58m |
First train 5:05 |
Last train 20:39 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Hertford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Hertford trip today.
Local museum in a former school building, covering Hertford’s history through objects, photographs and changing displays.
Art gallery in a converted chapel showing contemporary exhibitions, local artists and creative events in the town centre.
Volunteer-run transport museum at Hertford East station with railway artefacts, signalling items and local line history.
Riverside park around Hertford Castle with lawns, paths and event space, ideal for a central walk and town views.
Wide green park by the River Lea with sports areas, open space and easy walking access from Hertford town centre.
Pleasant waterside route linking the town with the Lea Navigation, popular for walking, wildlife spotting and quiet scenery.
A traditional English sausage made in nearby Hertfordshire with seasoning and herbs. It is a well-known county speciality often served with mash or in a breakfast.
A local variation of the classic suet pudding, traditionally filled with steak and kidney. It reflects long-standing hearty home cooking in Hertfordshire and surrounding counties.
A rustic English pie of chicken and ham in a rich sauce, commonly eaten in pubs and homes across Hertfordshire. It is a staple comfort dish in the area.
Stylish restaurant and bar offering modern British and European dishes, cocktails and a lively atmosphere near the town centre.
Popular independent café and eatery known for brunch, coffee and seasonal plates in a casual contemporary space.
Riverside pub and dining room known for British classics, Sunday roasts and a smart yet relaxed atmosphere in central Hertford.
Moderate for southern England. Dining and hotels cost more than smaller UK towns, but day-to-day costs are below central London. Rail travel to London can raise budgets.
Service is sometimes included. If not, tip 10-12.5% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Hertford 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 Hertford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Hertford trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Hertford North station pair, with some services arriving at Hertford East. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Hertford 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.
Hertford North has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Hertford North.
Wi-Fi is available at Hertford North.
Ticket office support is available at Hertford North.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Hertford North: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Hertford North: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Hertford North: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category B3 station: Step free access to booking office and platforms 2&3. Steps to platform 1 (some trains to London). Assistance Meeting Point is the station foyer opposite the ticket office. This station doesn't have tactile surfaces along all platform edges. Please pay attention to where the platform surface changes from smooth to paved or contact us for assistance, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Great Northern 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: No.
Hertford East has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Hertford East.
Wi-Fi is available at Hertford East.
Ticket office support is available at Hertford East.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Hertford East: Parking, WC.
Available at Hertford East: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Hertford East: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster, 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: No.
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