- Must visit
Bolton Museum and Art Gallery
Bolton's main museum with local history, art, Egyptology and aquarium displays, all close to the town centre.
Cheapest price on 31 Aug
£3
Average ticket price on 31 Aug
£4
Fastest journey on 31 Aug
41 m
Average journey duration on 31 Aug
42 m
Trains on 31 Aug
6
Distance
19 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Rochdale to Bolton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Rochdale to Bolton will cost around £4 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £3.
On Mon 31 Aug, we found 6 trains from Rochdale to Bolton, including 2 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 19 km distance in an average of 42 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 41 m .
The slowest trains will take 44 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.
P24058
P24054
G89089 · L89435
P23820 · G89587
P23818 · G89579
P24058
P23818 · G89579
P23820 · G89587
P24054
G89089 · L89435Compare coach and 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 Rochdale to Bolton run on average 8 times per day, taking around 41m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £3 if you book in advance.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:51, the last at 23:16. The fastest train covers the 19 km distance in 41m.
Distance 19 km |
Average train duration 41m |
Cheapest ticket price £3 |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 41m |
First train 5:51 |
Last train 23:16 |
Cheapest Month Sept |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sept |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Bolton — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bolton trip today.
Bolton's main museum with local history, art, Egyptology and aquarium displays, all close to the town centre.
Independent museum telling the story of local steam, electricity and engineering through working exhibits and volunteer guides.
Art gallery and museum in a former house, showing decorative arts, paintings and objects linked to local collecting history.
Large country park with moorland views, reservoirs, walking trails and access to one of Bolton's best-known hilltop panoramas.
Popular beauty spot with a reservoir, woodland paths and open moor walks, well suited to gentle strolls or longer hikes.
Historic village area with cobbled character, old buildings and scenic access to museum grounds and woodland walks.
A hearty black pudding made in nearby Bury from pig’s blood, fat and oats. It is a defining Greater Manchester breakfast staple.
Soft bread rolls split and filled with buttered chips, often with salt and vinegar. A classic North West cheap eat loved in Bolton.
A savoury pie from nearby Wigan filled traditionally with potato, onion and meat. It reflects Lancashire’s working-class baking heritage.
Popular Turkish restaurant serving charcoal-grilled meats, mezze and fresh bread in a smart but relaxed setting.
Well-known local Indian restaurant with curries, tandoori dishes and a comfortable neighbourhood dining room.
Refined Indian dining with regional dishes and attentive service, suited to a more polished evening meal.
Bolton is usually cheaper than Manchester or London for hotels, meals and local travel, making it good value for most visitors.
Service is often included or optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is typical for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional.
Official public transport app
Bolton Station -> Bolton Town Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Rochdale to Bolton 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 Bolton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Rochdale to Bolton trains use the Rochdale to Bolton station pair, with some services arriving at Bromley Cross. Use this guide to compare Rochdale and Bolton train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Rochdale has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Rochdale.
Ticket office support is available at Rochdale.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Rochdale: Parking, WC.
Available at Rochdale: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Rochdale: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, Scooter Friendly Station - Level access to the station and platforms via lifts, which are available during station staffing hours, 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.
Castleton is 3 km from Rochdale city centre. Public transport options include:
Castleton has practical services for this route, including Parking, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking and Car Rental.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Castleton: Parking.
Available at Castleton: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Castleton: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category B station, From Manchester Road down 41 steps to Manchester platform or 42 steps to the Rochdale platform. From the station approach roads, there is level access onto both platforms, Accessible ticket machines: There are no accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Bolton is 1 km from Bolton city centre. Public transport options include:
Bolton has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Bolton.
Wi-Fi is available at Bolton.
Ticket office support is available at Bolton.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bolton: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bolton: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bolton: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A Station, this station is scooter friendly, a scooter permit is required for travel, Level access through the ticket barriers to an overpass and via lifts to all platforms. Lifts available from first to last trains, 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: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: As per ticket office opening hours, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Bromley Cross is 3 km from Bolton city centre. Public transport options include:
Bromley Cross has practical services for this route, including Parking, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Ticket office support is available at Bromley Cross.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bromley Cross: Parking.
Available at Bromley Cross: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bromley Cross: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category B station, To Manchester : Level access from the car park over level crossing and up ramp onto platform. To Blackburn : Level access from the car park, through a 4ft wide gate, up a short ramp (1:9 slope) onto the platform, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible public telephones: The highest operating part of the telephone is 1140 mm above floor level, 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.
Hall I' Th' Wood is 2 km from Bolton city centre. Public transport options include:
Hall I' Th' Wood has practical services for this route, including Parking, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office and Bike Parking.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Hall I' Th' Wood: Parking.
Available at Hall I' Th' Wood: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Hall I' Th' Wood: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category C Station, Platforms are both accessed via a long set of step from street level, there is no step free route to the platforms, Accessible public telephones: The highest operating part of the telephone is 1140 mm above floor level, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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