How to get to Manchester from London

Sat 14 Nov
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Travel by train, coach, flight with
Avanti West Coast
National Express
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West Midlands Trains
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Avanti West Coast
National Express
British Airways
West Midlands Trains
FlixBus
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for London to Manchester

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £14 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 3m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £14, while a flight costs an average of £220.

Distance: 262 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Flight
Driving

£67

Average Price

£14

Average Price

Cheapest

£220

Average Price

£74

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 3m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 33m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 27m

Average total duration

4h 57m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 0m

Average total duration

2h 0m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

4h 19m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.3 - 0.7kg

CO2 emissions

0.8 - 1.6kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Avanti West Coast

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

British Airways

Most popular airline

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.

Compare ways to travel from London to Manchester

Compare the available ways to get from London to Manchester, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.

The cheapest way to travel from London to Manchester is a coach with an average price of £14.

This is compared to other travel options from London to Manchester:

A coach is £53 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to Manchester costing on average £67.

A coach is £206 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from London to Manchester costing on average £220.

The fastest way to travel from London to Manchester is by train with an average journey time of 3h 3m.

Other travel options to Manchester take longer:

Flight takes on average 4h 0m.

Coach takes on average 5h 27m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between London and Manchester including taking a train, coach and flight.
Take the train. On this route, it beats driving on both time and money.

The journey is about 1h 46m faster (2h 33m by train vs 4h 19m by car) and roughly £7 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£67 vs £74). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.

Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.

Travel options
from London to Manchester

How to get to Manchester from London by train, bus, flight or ferry.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from London to Manchester is by taking a coach because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    0 changes

Cheapest

  • FlixBusFlixBus
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Fastest

  • British AirwaysBA1360
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Other options

  • West Midlands TrainsC17988+Transport for WalesG38995
    1 change
  • West Midlands TrainsC17955+Transport for WalesG39003
    1 change
  • West Midlands TrainsC17954+Transport for WalesG38958
    1 change
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    0 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    0 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    0 changes
  • British AirwaysBA1370
    0 changes
  • British AirwaysBA1382
    0 changes
  • British AirwaysBA1372
    0 changes

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, coaches, flights and ferries

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.

Train
Coach
Flight

Best day trips from Manchester by train

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.

A view of Leeds

Day trip from Manchester to Leeds by train

Why visit Leeds for the day?

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.

A view of Sheffield

Day trip from Manchester to Sheffield by train

Why visit Sheffield for the day?

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.

A view of Chester

Day trip from Manchester to Chester by train

Why visit Chester for the day?

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.

A view of York

Day trip from Manchester to York by train

Why visit York for the day?

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.

General Information About the Journey from London to Manchester

There are plenty of buses, trains and flights from London to Manchester, two of the UK's largest and busiest cities. Making the journey by bus is easy, with several departures per day. Similarly, trains are quick and depart regularly. Direct flights between the two cities depart daily with a short average journey time.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

FAQs: London to Manchester

Travel to Manchester easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from London to Manchester.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between London and Manchester including taking a train, coach and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from London to Manchester is a coach with an average price of £14.

This is compared to other travel options from London to Manchester:

A coach is £53 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to Manchester costing on average £67.

A coach is £206 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from London to Manchester costing on average £220.

The fastest way to travel from London to Manchester is by train with an average journey time of 3h 3m.

Other travel options to Manchester take longer:

Flight takes on average 4h 0m.

Coach takes on average 5h 27m.

The London to Manchester distance is approximately 262 km.
The average frequency per day from London to Manchester is:
  • Around 73 coaches per day.
  • Around 46 trains per day.
  • Around 16 flights per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between London and Manchester as scheduled services by train, coach and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from London to Manchester:
  • Flights mostly depart from London Heathrow Airport and arrive in Manchester Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from London Euston (EUS) and arrive in Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
  • Coaches mostly depart from London, Victoria Coach Station and arrive in Manchester, Coach Station.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from London to Manchester, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with British Airways, BA Cityflyer, Loganair to go to Manchester by flight.
  • Travel with Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains, East Midlands Railway, Lumo, CrossCountry, London North Eastern Railway to go to Manchester by train.
  • Travel with FlixBus, National Express to go to Manchester by coach.
Yes, there are direct services available from London to Manchester with the following travel companies:
  • 7 direct flights per day with British Airways.
  • 31 direct trains per day with Avanti West Coast.
  • 64 direct coaches per day with FlixBus, National Express.
Omio customers who travel from London to Manchester often also extend their vacation to go to Paris, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Dublin. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Manchester and these popular destinations at a great price.
To get from London to Manchester, you can choose from several travel options including train, coach and flight.
In Manchester, you can explore Old Trafford, the iconic stadium of Manchester United, and the Northern Quarter, known for its independent shops and street art. Enjoy performances at the Manchester Opera House and experience the vibrant nightlife at Deansgate Locks. Relax at Heaton Park, one of Europe's largest municipal parks. Visit the Manchester Art Gallery and the Science and Industry Museum. Admire Manchester Cathedral's Gothic architecture and the John Rylands Library's rare collections. Stroll through Castlefield, with its Roman ruins and picturesque canals.
A stay of 2 to 4 days in Manchester is generally sufficient to explore its main attractions, including museums, historical sites, and vibrant neighbourhoods.
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