- Must visit
Tate St Ives
Seafront gallery showing modern and contemporary art, with changing exhibitions and dramatic views over Porthmeor Beach.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£73
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£112
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
8 h 16 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
8 h 33 m
Trains on 18 Sept
3
Distance
427 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to St Ives is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to St Ives will cost around £112 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £73.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 3 trains from Manchester to St Ives, including 3 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 427 km distance in an average of 8 h 33 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 8 h 16 m .
The slowest trains will take 8 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 St Ives among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £27 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 15m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £27, while a flight costs an average of £116.
Distance: 427 km
Most popular Train | Flight | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£78 Average Price | £116 Average Price | £27 Average Price Cheapest | £92 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 3m Average total duration 7h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 15m Average total duration Fastest 1h 15m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 11h 20m Average total duration 10h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 5m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.3 - 2.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
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 St Ives:
A coach is £51 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to St Ives costing on average £78.
A coach is £89 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to St Ives costing on average £116.
Other travel options to St Ives take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 33m.
Coach takes on average 10h 50m.
Tickets start at around £78 compared to roughly £92 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £14. The journey takes 7h 33m versus 6h 5m 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.
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 St Ives 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:03 Manchester | 8h26 | 15:29 St Ives | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:30 Manchester | 8h58 | 16:28 St Ives | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:30 Manchester | 8h30 | 17:00 St Ives | 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 St Ives run on average 6 times per day, taking around 7h 33m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £40 but you can travel from only £17 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:11, the last at 16:06. The fastest train covers the 427 km distance in 8h 3m.
Distance 427 km |
Average train duration 7h 33m |
Cheapest ticket price £40 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 8h 3m |
First train 5:11 |
Last train 16:06 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of St Ives — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect St Ives trip today.
Seafront gallery showing modern and contemporary art, with changing exhibitions and dramatic views over Porthmeor Beach.
Former artists’ studio and home of Barbara Hepworth, featuring sculptures displayed in the garden and preserved rooms.
Local museum covering fishing, mining, art and maritime life, with varied exhibits that explain St Ives past.
Compact harbour area with beaches, boats, galleries and winding lanes; ideal for soaking up the town’s atmosphere.
Sheltered beach and promenade beneath Tate St Ives, loved for surfing, sunsets and easy access to the coast path.
Headland path and grassy viewpoint above the beaches, popular for sea views, picnics and watching the sunset.
Cornish pasty is a baked pastry with beef, potato, swede and onion. It is Cornwall’s best-known portable meal and strongly tied to local mining history.
Stargazy pie is a traditional Cornish fish pie, usually with pilchards baked under pastry with the fish heads showing. It is a famous local winter speciality.
Cornish sardines, often called pilchards locally, are a signature catch of Cornwall. They are prized for their freshness and long fishing heritage.
Popular traditional bakery for Cornish pasties, pies and sweet treats. A dependable stop for classic local food in casual surroundings.
Harbourside seafood restaurant known for fresh local fish and shellfish. Relaxed modern setting with strong views over St Ives harbour.
Established seafood restaurant by the harbour, focused on local catch, oysters and crab. Smart but approachable atmosphere.
St Ives is pricier than many UK seaside towns, especially in summer. Hotels, seafood meals and parking add up, though buses and simple cafés can keep costs manageable.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up for taxis, and spare change is fine in cafés.
Official public transport app
St Ives railway station -> St Ives Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to St Ives 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 St Ives, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to St Ives trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to St Ives station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and St Ives 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 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.
St Ives has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at St Ives.
Wi-Fi is available at St Ives.
Ticket office support is available at St Ives.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at St Ives: Parking, Taxis.
Available at St Ives: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at St Ives: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step Free Category A Station - This station has step free acccess to the platform. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, 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: Yes.
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