- Must visit
Science and Industry Museum
Major science and industry museum on historic railway land, with galleries on textiles, transport and Manchester’s role in modern innovation.
Cheapest price on 18 Oct
£45
Average ticket price on 18 Oct
£104
Fastest journey on 18 Oct
3 h 21 m
Average journey duration on 18 Oct
3 h 38 m
Trains on 18 Oct
20
Distance
238 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Watford to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Watford to Manchester will cost around £104 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £45.
To travel from Watford to Manchester you need to make at least one change.
L22955 · C17902+
L89085
W33098+
P69709
W33172+
C00117
W33172+
P69719
W33186 · W33098
W33270 · W33142+
P02510
W33266+
G00786
W70303+
W33126 · W33161+
C34233
W33186 · W33098
C17839+
W33172Trains from Watford to Manchester run on average 16 times per day, taking around 2h 26m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £14 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 03:00, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 238 km distance in 1h 58m.
Distance 238 km |
Average train duration 2h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price £14 |
Trains per day 16 |
Fastest train 1h 58m |
First train 3:00 |
Last train 23:58 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 56 days |
The table below shows live departures for Watford to Manchester trains for tomorrow, Sunday 18 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P69709+ W33098 | 6:53 Bushey (BSH) | 5h12 | 12:05 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
C00117+ W33172 | 7:20 Bushey (BSH) | 5h42 | 13:02 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
C34098+ W33266+ G00786 | 7:26 Bushey (BSH) | 4h07 | 11:33 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 changes | |
C34098+ W33266+ G00786 | 7:28 Watford High Street (WFH) | 4h05 | 11:33 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 changes | |
P69719+ W33172 | 7:50 Bushey (BSH) | 5h12 | 13:02 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
P02501+ W33186 · W33098 | 7:56 Bushey (BSH) | 4h09 | 12:05 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 changes | |
P02501+ W33349 · W33098 | 7:56 Bushey (BSH) | 4h09 | 12:05 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 changes | |
W33266+ G00786 | On time 7:57 Watford Junction (WFJ) | 3h36 | 11:33 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
P02501+ W33349 · W33098 | 7:58 Watford High Street (WFH) | 4h07 | 12:05 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 changes | |
P02501+ W33186 · W33098 | 7:58 Watford High Street (WFH) | 4h07 | 12:05 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 changes | |
W33186 · W33098 | On time 8:21 Watford Junction (WFJ) | 3h44 | 12:05 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
L22955 · C17902+ L89085 | 8:46 Watford Junction (WFJ) | 5h00 | 13:46 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 changes | |
C34137+ C17839+ W33172 | 8:58 Watford High Street (WFH) | 4h04 | 13:02 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 changes | |
W33217 · W33172 | On time 8:58 Watford Junction (WFJ) | 4h04 | 13:02 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
C17839+ W33172 | On time 9:11 Watford Junction (WFJ) | 3h51 | 13:02 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
W33373+ G38968 | 10:07 Watford Junction (WFJ) | 4h09 | 14:16 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
C17907+ W33089+ G38968 | 10:12 Watford Junction (WFJ) | 4h04 | 14:16 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 changes | |
P02510+ W33270 · W33142 | 11:43 Watford High Street (WFH) | 3h21 | 15:04 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 changes | |
C34226+ W33375 · W33161 | 12:13 Watford High Street (WFH) | 3h54 | 16:07 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 changes | |
C34233+ W70303+ W33126 · W33161 | 12:28 Watford High Street (WFH) | 3h39 | 16:07 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3 changes | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Discover the best of Manchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Manchester trip today.
Major science and industry museum on historic railway land, with galleries on textiles, transport and Manchester’s role in modern innovation.
Large university museum with natural history, archaeology and cultural collections, plus changing exhibitions in a prominent Oxford Road building.
Leading art museum with British and European paintings, design, costume and craft collections in a landmark city-centre building.
Historic canal-side warehouse district with restored brick buildings, waterside walks, bars, galleries and one of the city’s most atmospheric settings.
Lively central square framed by major civic buildings and event space, ideal for architecture, seasonal markets and city-centre orientation.
Characterful Northern Quarter street known for independent shops, record stores, creative spaces and eye-catching street art.
A flaky shortcrust pie filled with spiced minced beef, potato and onion. It is closely associated with Oldham and Greater Manchester chip shops.
A hearty hotpot of slow-cooked lamb or mutton with onions and sliced potatoes. A long-standing North West comfort dish served across Manchester pubs.
A rich tripe stew cooked with onions, milk and stock. It was a classic working-class Manchester meal linked to the city’s historic tripe trade.
Refined modern British tasting menus in an intimate city-centre setting. Best for a special meal with seasonal ingredients and polished service.
Historic Victorian dining room known for oysters, seafood and classic British dishes. Traditional atmosphere with one of Manchester’s best-known interiors.
Casual northern favourite serving Bury black pudding, pies and hearty breakfasts. Good for trying regional staples in a relaxed market setting.
Moderate for a UK city. Hotels can be pricey at peak times, but dining, pubs and local transport are usually cheaper than London.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is good and not already added. Round up taxi fares; cafés usually do not require tips.
Official public transport app
Manchester Piccadilly -> Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester
The most popular day trips by train from Manchester are Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Chester and York. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your train from Manchester on Omio.

Liverpool is known for The Beatles, football and a waterfront shaped by its maritime past. Its grand docks, museums and lively city centre give it a proud, creative character.
There are 10 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 50 km distance in 31m.

Leeds is a major West Yorkshire city known for Victorian arcades, shopping and a lively music scene. Its industrial heritage, regenerated waterfront and large student population give it an energetic but down-to-earth character.
There are 59 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 57 km distance in 43m.

Sheffield is known for its steelmaking heritage, modern music culture and easy access to green space. It feels both urban and outdoorsy, with Victorian buildings, independent venues and the Peak District nearby.
There are 9 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 52 km distance in 48m.

Chester is known for its Roman walls, medieval streets and the distinctive black-and-white Rows. Compact and walkable, it blends deep history with a relaxed riverside setting and a lively city centre.
There are 6 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:07, the last at 23:54. The fastest train covers the 54 km distance in 50m.

York is known for its Roman and Viking heritage, medieval streets and the imposing York Minster. Its compact centre, old walls and busy mix of shops, pubs and museums make it easy to grasp the city's historic character.
There are 7 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:57. The fastest train covers the 93 km distance in 1h 10m.
Rail journeys between Watford and Manchester are simple and fast. There are very frequent rail departures every day of the week, including weekends. Departures are as frequent as every quarter of an hour at peak times, with half hourly departures throughout the remainder of the day, including at weekends. Journey times vary from about two hours, for direct trains, to just under three hours on indirect services.
Two rail companies operate services between Watford and Manchester. Virgin Trains operates the only direct service between these two cities, on a daily basis. Virgin also offers indirect services requiring one change. CrossCountry also offers services between Watford and Manchester, with one change required.
On Virgin Trains' daily direct services, the journey between these two cities takes just under two hours. Most of the services offered by Virgin Trains require a change at Milton Keynes, Crewe or at London Euston. These indirect journeys take about two and a half hours. CrossCountry's indirect services require a change at Birmingham International and take about two and three quarter hours to complete.
On weekdays, more than 50 trains leave Watford for Manchester. There's a departure about every half hour, with more at peak morning times. The first train leaves very early in the morning and the last late in the evening. There is, however, generally only one direct service each day. At weekends more than 40 trains depart Watford for Manchester, from early morning until late evening.
Departure train station: Watford Junction Station, adjacent to the town centre, is the departure point for services to Manchester. There are numerous bus services arriving at the station, with toilets, cafes, shops, cash machines and waiting rooms all available.
Arrival train station: Manchester Piccadilly in Manchester city centre is the arrival point for services from Watford. This modern station has cafes, shops, public wi-fi, toilets and waiting rooms available with buses and trams stopping at the station.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Watford 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.

Most Watford to Manchester trains use the Watford Junction to Manchester Piccadilly station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester Airport. Use this guide to compare Watford and Manchester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Watford Junction has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Watford Junction.
ATMs are available at Watford Junction.
Ticket office support is available at Watford Junction. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 0248 997, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Watford Junction: Parking, WC.
Available at Watford Junction: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Watford Junction: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are accessible on platform 6, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Ticket Vending Machines are located in the Booking Hall, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Watford High Street has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Watford High Street.
Wi-Fi is available at Watford High Street. ATMs are available at Watford High Street.
Ticket office support is available at Watford High Street.
Available at Watford High Street: Parking.
Available at Watford High Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Watford High Street: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Level access to ticket office from street. Single island platform, accessible from entrance by staircase only, Accessible taxis: Contact taxi operator directly, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Bushey is 1 km from Watford city centre. Public transport options include:
Bushey has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Bushey.
Wi-Fi is available at Bushey.
Ticket office support is available at Bushey. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 0343 222 1234, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Bushey: Parking.
Available at Bushey: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bushey: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Accessibility category C. This station does not have step-free access, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible taxis: contact taxi operator directly, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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 has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Multiple food outlets and cafes available.
Free public Wi-Fi available in the station. ATMs are several ATMs located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester.
Available at Manchester: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester: Step-free access throughout the station.
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