- Must visit
The Lowry
A large arts and cultural centre, home to galleries and exhibitions dedicated to L.S. Lowry.
Cheapest price
$12
Average price
$23
Fastest journey
1 h 45 m
Average duration
1 h 56 m
Buses per day
36
Distance
113 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Birmingham to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Birmingham to Manchester will cost around $23 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $12.
Of the 36 buses that leave Birmingham for Manchester on Fri, May 15, 36 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 15 the direct buses cover the 113 km distance in an average of 1 h 56 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 45 m .
On Fri, May 15 the slowest buses will take 2 h 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.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX541
FlixBus
NX421
NX541
NX541Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $8. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 5m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $8, and a train costs an average of $7.
Distance: 70 miles (113 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$14 Average price Cheapest | $38 Average price | $43 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 35m Average total duration Fastest 2h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 35m Average total duration 2h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 55m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Manchester:
A bus is $24 (€19) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Manchester costing on average $38 (€31).
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 5m.
Tickets start at around $14 (€12) compared to roughly $43 (€35) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $29 (€23). The journey takes 2h 5m versus 1h 55m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by National Express, Megabus, FlixBus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:05AM | Arrival Time 02:00AM | Duration 1h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:20AM | Arrival Time 05:50AM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:25AM | Arrival Time 06:05AM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:40AM | Arrival Time 06:15AM | Duration 2h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:35AM | Arrival Time 07:35AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 09:55AM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 09:55AM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 10:30AM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 11:15AM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Transport for Wales | Departure Time 09:07AM | Arrival Time 12:15PM | Duration 3h08 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:15AM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 12:45PM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:10AM | Arrival Time 01:40PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 02:05PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:50PM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:40PM | Arrival Time 04:00PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:10PM | Arrival Time 04:40PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:15PM | Arrival Time 04:40PM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:40PM | Arrival Time 05:20PM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:50PM | Arrival Time 05:15PM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:05PM | Arrival Time 05:45PM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 05:45PM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:40PM | Arrival Time 06:05PM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:55PM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:10PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:55PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 2h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:45PM | Arrival Time 08:15PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:10PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:40PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:40PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 09:10PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:15PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:25PM | Arrival Time 09:35PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 10:20PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:35PM | Arrival Time 09:45PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:45PM | Arrival Time 10:55PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 11:10PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:05PM | Arrival Time 11:15PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:25PM | Arrival Time 11:40PM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:40PM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:25PM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:40PM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 01:15AM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:40PM | Arrival Time 01:40AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $20 |
The table below shows live departures for Birmingham to Manchester buses for today, Thursday, May 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX120 | Delayed 10:40 PM 9:00 AMBirmingham, Coach Station | 2h15 | 11:15 AM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX120 | Delayed 10:40 PM 5:45 PMBirmingham, Coach Station | 2h30 | 8:15 PM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 6:40 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 2h20 | 9:00 PM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 7:30 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 2h50 | 10:20 PM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 7:30 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 2h30 | 10:00 PM Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX120 | Delayed 10:40 PM 8:45 PMBirmingham, Coach Station | 2h10 | 10:55 PM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:25 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 2h15 | 11:40 PM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX181 | Delayed 5:25 AM 11:00 PMBirmingham, Coach Station | 2h15 | 1:15 AM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, May 15 | |||||
FlixBus | 12:05 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 1h55 | 2:00 AM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:20 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 2h50 | 6:10 AM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:20 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 2h30 | 5:50 AM Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX424 | 3:25 AM Birmingham, Coach Station | 2h40 | 6:05 AM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX422 | 3:40 AM Birmingham, Coach Station | 2h35 | 6:15 AM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX421 | On time 5:35 AM Birmingham, Coach Station | 2h00 | 7:35 AM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX121 | 7:30 AM Birmingham, Coach Station | 2h25 | 9:55 AM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 8:00 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 2h30 | 10:30 AM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX120 | 9:15 AM Birmingham, Coach Station | 2h15 | 11:30 AM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX121 | 10:30 AM Birmingham, Coach Station | 2h15 | 12:45 PM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 11:10 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 2h30 | 1:40 PM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX120 | 11:45 AM Birmingham, Coach Station | 2h30 | 2:15 PM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 12:30 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 3h20 | 3:50 PM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX590 | 12:50 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 2h25 | 3:15 PM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 1:40 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 2h20 | 4:00 PM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX541 | 1:50 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 2h35 | 4:25 PM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 2:10 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 2h30 | 4:40 PM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX121 | 2:15 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 2h50 | 5:05 PM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX541 | 3:05 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 2h40 | 5:45 PM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX541 | 3:55 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 2h40 | 6:35 PM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:10 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 2h30 | 6:40 PM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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.
Buses from Birmingham to Manchester run on average 27 times per day, taking around 2h 5m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $8 (€7) but you can travel from only $7 (€6) by train.
There are 26 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 70 miles (113 km) distance in 2h 0m.
Distance 70 miles (113 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price $8 (€7) |
Buses per day 27 |
Direct buses 26 |
Fastest bus 2h 0m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Manchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Manchester trip today.
A large arts and cultural centre, home to galleries and exhibitions dedicated to L.S. Lowry.
Explores the impact of science and industry with interactive exhibitions.
Celebrates the social history and culture of football.
Known for its bohemian atmosphere, indie shops, and street art.
A modern financial district featuring luxury dining and high-end shopping.
Famous street in the city's Gay Village known for its nightlife and welcoming atmosphere.
A small, round pastry filled with currants, named after the town of Eccles in Greater Manchester. Sweet and buttery, it's a beloved regional treat.
A comforting stew made with lamb, onions, and sliced potatoes, slow-cooked to perfection. A hearty dish popular in the North West of England.
A type of blood sausage made with pork blood, fat, and oatmeal. Traditionally served fried for breakfast, it's a staple in Bury markets.
Renowned for its steaks and cocktails, this upscale restaurant offers a refined atmosphere with a nod to traditional British dining.
Fine dining restaurant in the Midland Hotel, offering contemporary British cuisine with a focus on quality and locally sourced ingredients.
A modern Chinese restaurant known for its stylish decor and innovative menu options, perfect for experiencing fusion cuisine in an elegant setting.
Accommodation is reasonably priced compared to London, but dining out and nightlife can be expensive.
10-15% in restaurants, round up taxis, not expected in cafes.
Official public transport app
Manchester Coach Station -> Manchester Piccadilly
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Birmingham to Manchester by bus. 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 bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Manchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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