The cheapest and fastest trains from Sunderland to Manchester
Cheapest price
£38
Average price
£45
Fastest journey
2 h 48 m
Average duration
3 h 18 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
168 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Sunderland to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Sunderland to Manchester will cost around £45 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £38.
Of the 5 trains that leave Sunderland for Manchester every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 168 km distance in an average of 3 h 18 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 48 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 31 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.










Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Sunderland to Manchester
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Sunderland to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £8. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 11m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £8, and a train costs an average of £21.
Distance: 168 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach |
|---|---|
£51 Average Price | £15 Average Price Cheapest |
3h 41m Average total duration Fastest 3h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 52m Average total duration 3h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Sunderland to Manchester train times
The table below shows live departures for Sunderland to Manchester trains for tomorrow, Saturday 3 January. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 04:52 Sunderland | 5h30 | 10:22 Manchester | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 07:02 Sunderland | 3h14 | 10:16 Manchester | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 07:29 Sunderland | 4h44 | 12:13 Manchester | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 07:38 Sunderland | 3h31 | 11:09 Manchester | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 07:47 Sunderland | 3h29 | 11:16 Manchester | 0 changesdirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Sunderland to Manchester by coach or train
Compare 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.
03 Jan
04 Jan
05 Jan
06 Jan
07 Jan
08 Jan
09 Jan
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Sunderland to Manchester?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Sunderland to Manchester
Trains from Sunderland to Manchester run on average 4 times per day, taking around 3h 11m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £21 but you can travel from only £8 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 00:07, the last at 23:46. The fastest train covers the 168 km distance in 2h 47m.
Distance 168 km |
Average train duration 3h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price £21 |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 2h 47m |
First train 00:07 |
Last train 23:46 |
Train companies: TransPennine Express, CrossCountry, Northern Rail (3) from Sunderland to Manchester trainsTransPennine Express, CrossCountry, Northern Rail (3) trains will get you between Sunderland and Manchester from £8. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
TransPennine Express
CrossCountry
Northern Rail (3)
FAQs: Sunderland to Manchester train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sunderland to Manchester 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 Manchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Sunderland and Manchester
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:15 - 18:00 Saturday 06:15 - 18:00 Sunday 08:00 - 17:00
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category A station, Lifts to all platforms for disabled passengers from the North end of the station. Open for all services.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Located on the North Concourse and accepts cash and cards.
- 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
- Onward travel information: Busline 0871 200 2233
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off in Fawcett Street, near to the Travel Centre entrance in Athenaeum Street, outside Wilkinsons.
- Metro: Tyne and Wear metro station close to the station. 0191 203 3333
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:30 - 22:00 Sunday 08:00 - 22:15
- Car Park: No
- 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
- Toilets Location: A key is available in the Duty's Manager's office.
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: on platform and approach
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick up point is on Station Approach (M3 1WY) directly outside the station main entrance, outside the M & S shop.
- Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 06:30 - 22:30
- Type of shops available: Passport Photo Booth
- Car Park: No
- 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
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts. The Ladies toilets are located at the end of Platform 3. The Gents toilets are located at the end of Platform 2. The National key toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts, at the end of Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The National key toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts, at the end of Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: No cycle storage
- Storage CCTV: No
- 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
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Rail Replacement bus services depart from stands L & M of the adjacent Bus Station which is situated close to the ticket office.
- Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30
- Sun: 07:00 - 22:30
- Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi.
- Operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
- Burger King
- Caffè Nero
- Carluccio’s
- Hotel Chocolat
- Starbucks
- The Pasty Shop
- Costa Coffee
- Pret a Manger
- Upper Crust
- McDonald's
- & more
- There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly
- Premier Inn Manchester City
- Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly
- Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30
- Sun: 07:00 - 22:30
- Located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
- Bus lines: 1, 2, 3, 147
- Train lines: Northern, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Trains, Transport for Wales
Most popular train connections from Sunderland
More options for your journey from Sunderland to Manchester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

