- 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
$45
Average price
$45
Fastest journey
8 h 40 m
Average duration
8 h 40 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
354 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Folkestone to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Folkestone to Manchester will cost around $45 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $45.
Of the 1 buses that leave Folkestone for Manchester on Sun, Jun 21, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 21 the direct buses cover the 354 km distance in an average of 8 h 40 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 40 m .
On Sun, Jun 21 the slowest buses will take 8 h 40 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.


Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Folkestone to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $25. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 6m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $25, and a flight costs an average of $75.
Distance: 219 miles (354 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$39 Average price Cheapest | $138 Average price | $187 Average price | $116 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 46m Average total duration 8h 16m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 56m Average total duration 3h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 6m Average total duration Fastest 1h 6m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 16m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.1 - 2.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | 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 Folkestone to Manchester:
A bus is $99 (€81) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Folkestone to Manchester costing on average $138 (€113).
A bus is $149 (€122) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Folkestone to Manchester costing on average $187 (€153).
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 26m.
Bus takes on average 8h 16m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:50AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:05AM | Arrival Time 05:25PM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:35AM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 9h55 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 10:35PM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:10PM | Arrival Time 11:25PM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:10PM | Arrival Time 12:45AM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $69 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:10PM | Arrival Time 01:45AM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:10PM | Arrival Time 02:15AM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $37 |
The table below shows live departures for Folkestone to Manchester buses for tomorrow, Sunday, June 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:30 AM Folkestone | 8h40 | 2:10 PM Manchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, 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.
Buses from Folkestone to Manchester run on average 4 times per day, taking around 8h 16m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $25 (€21) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 219 miles (354 km) distance in 8h 35m.
Distance 219 miles (354 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 16m |
Cheapest ticket price $25 (€21) |
Buses per day 4 |
Fastest bus 8h 35m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 7 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 Folkestone 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