- Recommended
Ludlow Museum at the Buttercross
Local museum in the Buttercross with displays on Ludlow’s past, trades and daily life. A compact introduction to the town.
Cheapest price on 20 Sept
£35
Average ticket price on 20 Sept
£35
Fastest journey on 20 Sept
7 h 9 m
Average journey duration on 20 Sept
7 h 9 m
Trains on 20 Sept
1
Distance
127 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Ludlow is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Ludlow will cost around £35 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £35.
To travel from Manchester to Ludlow you need to make at least one change.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Ludlow among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £26 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 20m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £26, while a train costs an average of £26.
Distance: 127 km
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
£26 Average Price Cheapest | £26 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 20m Average total duration Fastest 1h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 33m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
You'll arrive about 45m sooner (1h 48m by train vs 2h 33m by car). Tickets start at around £38 compared to roughly £26 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.
Direct services run with Transport for Wales.
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 Ludlow 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G38875+ G86192+ W33776 | Delayed 10:10 9:16Deansgate (DGT) | 2h57 | 12:13 Ludlow station (LUD) | 2 changes | |
G38875 | On time 10:30 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1h43 | 12:13 Ludlow station (LUD) | 0 changesdirect | |
G38876 | On time 11:30 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1h46 | 13:16 Ludlow station (LUD) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train 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 Ludlow run on average 6 times per day, taking around 1h 48m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £18 if you book in advance.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:48, the last at 23:04. The fastest train covers the 127 km distance in 1h 37m.
Distance 127 km |
Average train duration 1h 48m |
Cheapest ticket price £18 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 1h 37m |
First train 4:48 |
Last train 23:04 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Ludlow — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ludlow trip today.
Local museum in the Buttercross with displays on Ludlow’s past, trades and daily life. A compact introduction to the town.
Hands-on heritage centre and print workshop focused on traditional letterpress. It offers exhibitions, demonstrations and courses.
Art gallery in a restored medieval inn showing changing exhibitions. Worth visiting for both the building and contemporary programme.
Elegant Georgian square beside the castle, framed by historic buildings. It is a fine place to pause and absorb Ludlow’s character.
Main medieval shopping street lined with timber-framed and Georgian buildings. Ideal for a self-guided walk through the old centre.
Riverside green space below the castle with open views, paths and room to relax. Popular for an easy walk close to the centre.
Hand-raised pork pie linked with nearby Shropshire butchers; prized for seasoned pork, jelly and crisp hot-water crust pastry.
A classic British pie of beef and kidney in rich gravy, long associated with traditional pub cooking across the Marches.
A robust local cheese made in Shropshire with a natural rind and full, savoury flavour; a staple on regional cheeseboards.
Refined modern British dining in a historic timber-framed setting, with tasting menus highlighting seasonal local produce.
Smart contemporary restaurant serving modern British cooking with strong local sourcing and an intimate, polished feel.
Traditional Ludlow inn known for local ales and hearty British dishes in a relaxed pub atmosphere near the town centre.
Moderate for England: rooms and dining cost less than major tourist cities, but boutique stays and gastro pubs can raise daily spend.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual for good service if not already added. Round up taxi fares. Cafés and pubs may have tip jars, but small change is enough.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Ludlow 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 Ludlow, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Ludlow trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Ludlow station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Ludlow 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.
Deansgate is 1 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Deansgate has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Deansgate.
Ticket office support is available at Deansgate.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Deansgate: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Deansgate: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Deansgate: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station From Whitworth Street, up a ramp (43 paces, 1:25 slope) and level access through the entrance into the foyer. Or from the junction of Chester Road, Whitworth Street and Deansgate, level access through the entrance, along the corridor and up 21 steps into the foyer. Then, to Manchester: Past the ticket office, via the lift in the foyer. Or up a ramp (34 paces), up 17 steps onto the platform. To Bolton, Warrington and Wigan : Via the lift in the foyer or along the subway (26 paces), up a ramp (32 paces) and up 18 steps onto the platform. Level access to Manchester platform also via overbridge from Metrolink G-Mex Metrolink stop. Lift available first to last train, currently 06:20 - 23:40 Monday to Saturday. 08:10 - 23:30 Sunday, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Ludlow has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Ludlow.
Ticket office support is available at Ludlow. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 03333 211202, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Ludlow: Parking.
Available at Ludlow: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ludlow: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B1 Step free access to Platform 1 (to Shrewsbury) from the car park. Platform 2 (to Hereford) is accessed via a footbridge with steps or a long steep footpath from the station forecourt to the path at the mouth of the tunnel. On the other side of the tunnel mouth is a compliant ramped path leading to the platform which also connects with the town. This path is not part of the station, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) do not accept cash. Payment is by major debit and credit cards only, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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