- Must visit
Science and Industry Museum
Major museum exploring Manchester’s role in science, technology and industry, with historic machinery and railway heritage on the oldest surviving passenger railway station site.
Cheapest price
$11
Average price
$12
Fastest journey
1 h
Average duration
1 h 12 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
47 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Bradford to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bradford to Manchester will cost around $12 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $11.
Of the 3 buses that leave Bradford for Manchester on Tue, Jun 16, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jun 16 the direct buses cover the 47 km distance in an average of 1 h 12 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h .
On Tue, Jun 16 the slowest buses will take 1 h 25 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.
NX172
NX172
NX172
NX172
NX172
NX172Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bradford 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 train which can get you there in 1h 8m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $8, and a train costs an average of $5.
Distance: 29 miles (47 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$11 Average price Cheapest | $12 Average price | $15 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 57m Average total duration 1h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 38m Average total duration Fastest 1h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 3m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.0kg 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 Bradford to Manchester:
A bus is $1 (€1) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bradford to Manchester costing on average $12 (€10).
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 27m.
Tickets start at around $11 (€9) compared to roughly $15 (€12) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $4 (€3). The journey takes 1h 27m versus 1h 3m 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 National Express | Departure Time 02:50AM | Arrival Time 03:50AM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:55AM | Arrival Time 08:20AM | Duration 1h25 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:10AM | Arrival Time 08:20AM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:55AM | Arrival Time 09:20AM | Duration 1h25 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:10AM | Arrival Time 09:20AM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:40AM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $13 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:40AM | Arrival Time 12:50PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:15PM | Arrival Time 06:25PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:15PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 09:10PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 10:10PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 1h05 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $15 |
The table below shows live departures for Bradford to Manchester buses for today, Monday, June 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:00 PM Bradford | 1h10 | 9:10 PM Manchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:00 PM Bradford | 1h10 | 10:10 PM Manchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:45 PM Bradford | 1h05 | 12:50 AM Manchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, June 16 | |||||
NX172 | Delayed 10:40 AM 2:50 AMBradford, Nelson Street N2 | 1h00 | 5:50 AM 5:50 AMManchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX172 | Delayed 10:40 AM 7:55 AMBradford, Nelson Street N2 | 1h25 | 9:20 AM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX172 | On time 11:40 AM Bradford, Nelson Street N2 | 1h10 | 12:50 PM Manchester, Coach Station | 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 Bradford to Manchester run on average 6 times per day, taking around 1h 27m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $8 (€6) but you can travel from only $5 (€4) by train.
There are 6 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:07, the last at 23:48. The fastest bus covers the 29 miles (47 km) distance in 1h 0m.
Distance 29 miles (47 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price $8 (€6) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 1h 0m |
First bus 12:07 AM |
Last bus 11:48 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Manchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Manchester trip today.
Major museum exploring Manchester’s role in science, technology and industry, with historic machinery and railway heritage on the oldest surviving passenger railway station site.
University museum with acclaimed natural history, archaeology and cultural collections, recently refreshed and especially popular for its dinosaur and ancient Egypt displays.
Central city gallery with fine art, design and decorative arts collections, plus changing exhibitions in a landmark civic building.
Manchester’s best-known creative district, packed with street art, independent shops and photogenic corners that are highly popular online.
Canalside heritage area with Roman roots, warehouses, waterside walks and one of the city’s most atmospheric urban landscapes.
Historic civic square framed by major Victorian architecture and often used for events, making it a classic city-centre stop.
A classic Manchester dessert with shortcrust pastry, raspberry jam, custard, coconut, and a cherry. It is one of the city’s best-known traditional sweet dishes.
A flaky pastry filled with currants, sugar, and butter, originating from Eccles in Greater Manchester. It is a famous regional bake often eaten with tea.
A traditional blood sausage strongly associated with nearby Bury and widely eaten in Manchester, especially as part of a full breakfast.
A stylish and widely loved restaurant inspired by Bombay cafés, known for rich curries, grilled dishes, and a distinctive heritage interior.
A popular casual venue pairing Indian street food with craft beer. It is lively, well-known, and especially good for vegetarian diners.
A celebrated fine-dining restaurant in Manchester known for modern British cooking, polished service, and an elegant setting inside The Midland hotel.
Moderate by UK standards. Budget eats are easy to find, but central hotels and nightlife can be pricey.
Service is often included in restaurants. If not, tip 10-12.5% for good service. Round up in taxis. Tipping is not expected for counter service, but small tips are appreciated.
Official public transport app
Manchester Airport, Manchester -> Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bradford 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.

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