Salford to Birmingham train with Cross Country

Sat 16 May
+ Add return
Cross Country
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
Cross Country
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Salford to Birmingham

Showing times and prices for 16 May

Cheapest price

£38

Average price

£46

Fastest journey

2 h 3 m

Average duration

2 h 28 m

Trains per day

2

Distance

115 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Salford to Birmingham is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Salford to Birmingham will cost around £46 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £38.

Fast trains

Of the 2 trains that leave Salford for Birmingham every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct trains cover the 115 km distance in an average of 2 h 28 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 3 m .

The slowest trains will take 2 h 52 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.

  • CrossCountry
    8:042h52
    Salford
    10:56Birmingham
    £381One-way
    0 changes
  • CrossCountry
    9:302h03
    Salford
    11:33Birmingham
    £541One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Salford to Birmingham

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Salford to Birmingham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £6. For those with little time consider booking a coach which can get you there in 2h 19m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £6, and a train costs an average of £23.

Distance: 115 km

Compare train with

Train
Most popular
Coach

£45

Average Price

£10

Average Price

Cheapest

3h 0m

Average total duration

2h 30m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 49m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 19m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Salford to Birmingham train times

The table below shows live departures for Salford to Birmingham trains for today, Friday 15 May. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
CrossCountry18:46 Salford
2h10
20:56 Birmingham0 changesdirect
Saturday 16 May
CrossCountry8:04 Salford
2h52
10:56 Birmingham0 changesdirect
CrossCountry9:30 Salford
2h03
11:33 Birmingham0 changesdirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Salford to Birmingham by train or coach

Compare train and coach 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.

Sat
16 May
Sun
17 May
Mon
18 May
Tue
19 May
Wed
20 May
Thu
21 May
Fri
22 May

Why should you book Salford to Birmingham trains with Omio?

Cross Country as well as Avanti West Coast offer trains services from Salford to Birmingham.
Omio is the only official third party seller for Cross Country tickets.

Why book with Omio vs Cross Country?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Cross Country, but also compare tickets for the likes of Avanti West Coast to find the best option for your trip from Salford to Birmingham.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Cross Country with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Salford to Birmingham.

How far in advance should I book train tickets from Salford to Birmingham?

The best time to book your train from Salford to Birmingham is 28 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Salford to Birmingham route.
Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Salford to Birmingham per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Salford to Birmingham.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Salford to Birmingham

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Salford to Birmingham run on average 3 times per day, taking around 2h 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £23 but you can travel from only £6 by coach.

The earliest train runs at 05:30, the last at 23:22. The fastest train covers the 115 km distance in 2h 3m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £6
Distance
115 km
Average train duration
2h 30m
Cheapest ticket price
£23
Trains per day
3
Fastest train
2h 3m
First train
5:30
Last train
23:22
Cheapest Month
Mar
Cheapest Day
Tue
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Sun
Least Busy Day
Thu
Best time to book
28 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £6

Train companies: Cross Country, Avanti West Coast from Salford to Birmingham trainsCross Country, Avanti West Coast trains will get you between Salford and Birmingham from £6. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Avanti West Coast

About
Avanti West Coast is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates high-speed trains between London and major cities in the UK, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The company offers a range of ticket types, including Standard, First Class and Advance tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drinks. The most popular routes for Avanti West Coast are London to Birmingham, London to Manchester and London to Glasgow. The company operates a fleet of Pendolino and Super Voyager trains, which offer a smooth and comfortable journey.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 34m
Cheapest Price
£91
Avanti West Coast frequency
3 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 small item included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policies depend on ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
First Class: Complimentary meals and drinks. Standard Class: Onboard shop with drinks and snacks
Seat reservation
First Class: Included in ticket price. Standard Class: Optional reservation for £8-12
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and assistance for boarding/alighting available
Pets
Small pets free in carriers. Dogs £30 per single journey. Guide dogs free
Quiet zone

Cross Country

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 28m
Cheapest Price
£91
Cross Country frequency
22 a day

FAQs: Salford to Birmingham train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salford to Birmingham 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 Birmingham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Salford to Birmingham can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £23, while the average price tends to be around £45.
The train journey from Salford to Birmingham covers a distance of 115 km and takes approximately 2h 3m. Trains run 3 per day.
The train distance from Salford to Birmingham is 115 km.
The first train from Salford to Birmingham leaves at 5:30.
The last train from Salford to Birmingham departs at 23:22.
Trains from Salford to Birmingham run approximately 3 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Salford to Birmingham.
Yes, there is a direct train between Salford and Birmingham. The service operates 0 times per day, provided by Cross Country, Avanti West Coast.
To get from Salford to Birmingham, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Salford to Birmingham.
The train station in Salford that goes to Birmingham is Salford Central (SFD), and it arrives at Birmingham New Street (BHM).
The cheapest way to get from Salford to Birmingham is by coach, costing approximately £6.
Booking trains from Salford to Birmingham in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Salford to Birmingham mainly traverses urban and industrial landscapes, offering limited scenic views.
A day trip from Salford to Birmingham is not feasible as the journey takes 2h 3m. However, there are 2 train trips per day available for this route, covering a distance of 115 km.
In Birmingham, you can explore the historic Jewellery Quarter, take a canal boat tour, visit the National SEA LIFE Centre, and enjoy a performance at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Discover the city's history at the Birmingham Back to Backs. Don't miss the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Cadbury World, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Symphony Hall, and The Bullring for shopping and dining.
To explore Birmingham's key attractions like the Bullring, Cadbury World, and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, 2-3 days is typically sufficient.
Yes, you can take the train from Salford to Birmingham.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Salford and Birmingham

Salford
Birmingham
The major train station for departures in Salford is Salford Central. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Salford Central for your trip from Salford to Birmingham.
Amenities at train station
ParkingParking
DiningDining
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
HotelHotel
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
Bike RentalBike Rental
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:25 - 19:35 Sunday Closed
ticketOfficeHours
Distance to city center
2 km
Parking
Parking
  • Car Park: No
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Staff help available: Yes
  • Step free access coverage: Yes
  • Step free access note: Category B station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station - Ramped access to platforms and ticket office. We regret that wheelchair users cannot board or alight here, due to excessive wheelchair ramp gradients between the train and the very low-height platforms.
  • Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
  • Ramp for train access: No
  • Wheelchairs available: No
  • Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
Public transport options for Salford Central
  • Onward travel information: Located on both sides of New Bailey Street for buses to Bolton, Eccles and Piccadilly Gardens. Maximum distance 120 yards/110m. Busline 0871 200 2233
  • Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off outside the station on New Bailey Street.
  • Metro: GMPTE 0161 228 7811
Amenities at train station
ParkingParking
DiningDining
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
Bike RentalBike Rental
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:30 - 21:45 Sunday 09:10 - 16:00
Parking
Parking
  • Car Park: No
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Staff help available: Yes
  • Step free access coverage: Yes
  • Step free access note: Category A station, The station is accessed from the main road ( A6,THE CRESCENT) and the corner of University Road There is a lift available at the end of the overbridge (facing the steps of which there is 36 down onto the platform). The lift is available from first to last train.
  • Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
  • Accessible toilets: Yes
  • Ramp for train access: Yes
  • Wheelchairs available: No
  • Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
WC
WC
  • Toilets Location: The toilets are located in the Booking Hall. The National key toilets are operated by a RADAR key. A key is available from the Booking Office and Supervisor's Office upon request.
  • National key toilets: No
  • Baby changing facilities: No
Public transport options for Salford Crescent
  • Onward travel information: Located on The Crescent for buses to Piccadilly Gardens, Eccles and Bolton. Maximum distance 300 yards/274m. Busline 0871 200 2233
  • Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off outside the station near to the roundabout.
  • Metro: GMPTE 0161 228 7811

Most popular train connections from Salford

More options for your journey from Salford to Birmingham

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTrainsTrain Times to Birmingham Salford to Birmingham train

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