- Must visit
Valentines Mansion
Elegant historic house with period rooms and exhibitions, offering a clear introduction to Redbridge history and domestic life.
Cheapest price on 20 Sept
£92
Average ticket price on 20 Sept
£92
Fastest journey on 20 Sept
4 h
Average journey duration on 20 Sept
4 h
Trains on 20 Sept
1
Distance
265 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Ilford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Ilford will cost around £92 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £92.
On Sun 20 Sept, we found 1 trains from Manchester to Ilford, including 1 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 265 km distance in an average of 4 h but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 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 Ilford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £30 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 13m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £30, while a train costs an average of £93.
Distance: 265 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£93 Average Price | £30 Average Price Cheapest | £77 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 13m Average total duration Fastest 2h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 11m Average total duration 4h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 5m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Ilford:
A coach is £63 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Ilford costing on average £93.
Other travel options to Ilford take longer:
Coach takes on average 4h 41m.
You'll arrive about 1h 22m sooner (2h 43m by train vs 4h 5m by car). Tickets start at around £93 compared to roughly £77 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 Ilford trains for today, Saturday 19 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:14 Manchester | 3h07 | 11:21 Ilford | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:15 Manchester | 3h52 | 13:07 Ilford | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Manchester to Ilford run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 43m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £93 but you can travel from only £19 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 01:04, the last at 22:28. The fastest train covers the 265 km distance in 2h 37m.
Distance 265 km |
Average train duration 2h 43m |
Cheapest ticket price £93 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 2h 37m |
First train 1:04 |
Last train 22:28 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 70 days |
Discover the best of Ilford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ilford trip today.
Elegant historic house with period rooms and exhibitions, offering a clear introduction to Redbridge history and domestic life.
Local museum and gallery with changing displays on Redbridge people, places and culture, set within the Central Library complex.
Community gallery space presenting contemporary exhibitions and creative projects, useful for a quick look at local artistic activity.
Formal gardens, lakes and open lawns around a historic mansion, ideal for strolling, seasonal colour and a relaxed break in Ilford.
Busy central shopping street and civic area that captures everyday Ilford, with markets, transport links and varied local businesses.
Woodland and open parkland on Ilford's northern edge, popular for longer walks, wildlife and a quieter side of the borough.
A classic East End pie filled with minced beef, often served with mash and parsley liquor. A long-standing London comfort food popular across east London.
Jellied eel pieces set in a savoury stock. It is one of London’s most traditional working-class dishes, closely tied to the historic East End.
A smoked white fish fillet, usually haddock, dyed golden and eaten hot or cold. It has long been a staple breakfast and supper dish in London.
Long-established Turkish ocakbasi known for grilled meats, fresh breads and lively casual dining on Ilford Lane.
Smart Indian restaurant focused on Punjabi and north Indian dishes, with a polished dining room suited to groups and dinners.
Busy South Indian vegetarian restaurant serving dosas, idli and thali in a simple, family-friendly setting.
Moderate for Greater London. Dining and hotels cost more than many UK towns, but Ilford is often cheaper than central London, with good-value transport and casual food options.
Restaurants may add a service charge; if not, 10-12.5% is common for good service. Taxi fares can be rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional, usually just small change.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Ilford 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 Ilford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Ilford trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Ilford station pair, with some services arriving at Seven Kings. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Ilford 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 has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Multiple food outlets and cafes available.
Free public Wi-Fi available in the station. ATMs are several ATMs located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester.
Available at Manchester: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester: Step-free access throughout the station.
Ilford has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Ilford.
Ticket office support is available at Ilford. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0343 222 1234, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Ilford: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Ilford: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ilford: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Accessibility Category C. This station does not have step-free access. Staff ramp assistance is always available. Accessible seating is available on platforms 3&4, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accessible ticket machines are located At the York Mews station entrance At the Ilford Hill temporary station entrance At the Ilford south station entrance, Accessible toilets: No, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Staff are available to assist from the first to last train, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Seven Kings is 1 km from Ilford city centre. Public transport options include:
Seven Kings has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Seven Kings.
Wi-Fi is available at Seven Kings.
Ticket office support is available at Seven Kings. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0343 222 1234, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Seven Kings: Parking.
Available at Seven Kings: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Seven Kings: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Accessibility Category A. This station has step-free access to all platforms Staff ramp assistance is always available. Accessible seating is available on platforms 3&4, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accessible ticket machines are located within the stations ticket hall, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Staff are available to assist from the first to last train, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need