- Must visit
Science and Industry Museum
Leading museum of science, industry, transport, and computing on a historic railway site. Essential for understanding Manchester's global impact.
Cheapest price
$19
Average price
$19
Fastest journey
1 h 3 m
Average duration
1 h 3 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
26 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Macclesfield to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Macclesfield to Manchester will cost around $19 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $19.
Of the 1 buses that leave Macclesfield for Manchester on Thu, Jul 16, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jul 16 the direct buses cover the 26 km distance in an average of 1 h 3 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 3 m .
On Thu, Jul 16 the slowest buses will take 1 h 3 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 train as it is the most popular option from Macclesfield to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $6. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 26m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $6, and a bus costs an average of $4.
Distance: 16 miles (26 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$14 Average price | $11 Average price Cheapest | $8 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 23m Average total duration 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 56m Average total duration Fastest 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 55m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Macclesfield to Manchester:
A train is $3 (€3) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Macclesfield to Manchester costing on average $14 (€12).
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 53m.
You'll arrive about 2m sooner (53m by bus vs 55m by car). Tickets start at around $14 (€12) compared to roughly $8 (€6) in fuel and tolls — a bit more, but you're getting time back, skipping traffic and parking, and you can work or rest on board.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel splits across several people), want flexibility on timing, or plan to stop en route.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Avanti West Coast | Departure Time 08:02AM | Arrival Time 09:05AM | Duration 1h03 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator Northern Rail | Departure Time 08:27AM | Arrival Time 09:46AM | Duration 1h19 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator Avanti West Coast | Departure Time 08:44AM | Arrival Time 09:45AM | Duration 1h01 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator Avanti West Coast | Departure Time 09:06AM | Arrival Time 10:15AM | Duration 1h09 | Departure days Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator Avanti West Coast | Departure Time 09:48AM | Arrival Time 10:55AM | Duration 1h07 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator Avanti West Coast | Departure Time 12:46PM | Arrival Time 01:45PM | Duration 0h59 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $19 |
The table below shows live departures for Macclesfield to Manchester buses for today, Wednesday, July 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:06 AM Macclesfield | 1h09 | 10:15 AM Manchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, July 16 | |||||
![]() | 8:02 AM Macclesfield | 1h03 | 9:05 AM Manchester | 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 Macclesfield to Manchester run on average 4 times per day, taking around 53m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $4 (€4) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 16 miles (26 km) distance in 55m.
Distance 16 miles (26 km) |
Average bus duration 53m |
Cheapest ticket price $4 (€4) |
Buses per day 4 |
Fastest bus 55m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Manchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Manchester trip today.
Leading museum of science, industry, transport, and computing on a historic railway site. Essential for understanding Manchester's global impact.
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Historic canal-side district with Roman remains, warehouses, and walkable towpaths. One of Manchester's most atmospheric urban areas.
Central square framed by grand civic buildings, museums, and monuments. A classic starting point for exploring the city centre.
Creative quarter of street art, music history, indie shops, and nightlife. It is one of Manchester's most characterful neighborhoods.
A flaky pastry pie filled with spiced potatoes, onion and often chickpeas. Created by Manchester’s South Asian community and now a city staple.
A comforting Northern pudding of suet pastry filled with beef and onion, traditionally steamed and served with gravy. Common in Greater Manchester pubs.
Manchester’s classic order of battered fish with chips, often served with mushy peas and curry sauce. A long-standing local takeaway favourite.
Iconic market bakery and café known for Manchester tarts, Eccles cakes and hearty lunches. Casual, busy and deeply rooted in local food culture.
Refined modern British fine dining in a restored townhouse. Known for tasting menus, polished service and one of Manchester’s top culinary reputations.
Lively Indian restaurant famous for bold curries, grills and chaat. A long-established Rusholme favourite with a casual, energetic atmosphere.
Moderate for the UK: hotels often cost less than London, while dining and transit are manageable for tourists with many mid-range options.
Service may be included. If not, 10-12.5% in restaurants is common for good service. Round up or add a little for taxis. Cafe tipping is optional.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Macclesfield 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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