- Recommended
Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life
Industrial heritage museum with Scottish locomotives, engineering displays and station buildings. A strong choice for families and transport enthusiasts.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£34
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£52
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
3 h 2 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
3 h 31 m
Trains on 18 Sept
3
Distance
280 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Motherwell is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Motherwell will cost around £52 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £34.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 3 trains from Manchester to Motherwell, including 3 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 280 km distance in an average of 3 h 31 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 2 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 58 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 train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Motherwell among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £35 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 7m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £35, while a flight costs an average of £121.
Distance: 280 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£37 Average Price | £35 Average Price Cheapest | £121 Average Price | £55 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 7m Average total duration Fastest 3h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 9m Average total duration 4h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 30m Average total duration 2h 30m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 30m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Motherwell:
A coach is £2 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Motherwell costing on average £37.
A coach is £87 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Motherwell costing on average £121.
Other travel options to Motherwell take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 37m.
Coach takes on average 4h 39m.
Tickets start at around £37 compared to roughly £55 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £18. The journey takes 3h 37m versus 3h 30m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Direct services run with Transpennine Express, TransPennine Express.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Motherwell trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G86192+ W34254 | On time 9:14 Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 3h33 | 12:47 Motherwell station (MTH) | 1 change | |
W85170 | On time 9:21 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h01 | 12:22 Motherwell station (MTH) | 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 Motherwell run on average 7 times per day, taking around 3h 37m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £28 but you can travel from only £15 by coach.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 02:44, the last at 20:26. The fastest train covers the 280 km distance in 3h 4m.
Distance 280 km |
Average train duration 3h 37m |
Cheapest ticket price £28 |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 3h 4m |
First train 2:44 |
Last train 20:26 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Motherwell — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Motherwell trip today.
Industrial heritage museum with Scottish locomotives, engineering displays and station buildings. A strong choice for families and transport enthusiasts.
Museum set in grand country-house rooms with collections on local history, decorative arts and the people of North Lanarkshire.
Museum and visitor centre at New Lanark exploring cotton-mill life, social reform and village history. It makes an excellent heritage day trip from Motherwell.
Large country park with woodland walks, wildlife, formal grounds and a Japanese garden. It is one of the area’s best places for a relaxed outdoor visit.
Historic estate park with riverside paths, ornamental gardens and woodland. It offers peaceful walks and easy access to Dalzell House.
Lochside park with walking routes, birdlife and broad views. It is a local favourite for a gentle stroll close to the town centre.
A hearty Scottish soup of lentils, root vegetables and usually ham or mutton. It is a staple home-cooked dish across Lanarkshire and the wider Central Belt.
Minced beef in rich gravy topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden. A familiar comfort dish in Scottish homes and traditional pubs.
Savoury minced offal, oats, suet and spices cooked in a casing. Scotland’s national dish is widely eaten on Burns Night and year-round.
Traditional Italian restaurant known for pasta, pizza and classic mains in a relaxed family setting popular with locals.
Modern bar and grill at Dakota Eurocentral with polished interiors, steaks and classic Scottish-influenced dishes in a smart atmosphere.
Well-known local Indian restaurant serving curries, tandoori dishes and takeaway favourites in an unfussy setting.
Moderate for the UK. Meals and coffee are reasonable, while hotels often cost less than in Glasgow or Edinburgh. Local rail and bus costs are manageable for visitors.
Restaurants often add no service charge, so 10-12.5% is polite for good service. Taxis are usually rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Motherwell 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 Motherwell, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Motherwell trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Motherwell station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Motherwell 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 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.
Motherwell has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Motherwell.
Wi-Fi is available at Motherwell.
Ticket office support is available at Motherwell. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Motherwell: Parking.
Available at Motherwell: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Motherwell: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to all platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the Ticket Office Blue Badge parking bays: 3, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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