Manchester is one of the largest cities in the UK, located in the northwest of England. The city is linked by various bus companies like Stagecoach Manchester and First Greater Manchester. National Express routes link the city with other parts of the UK. Manchester is serviced by two bus stations that are considered as the leading transport hubs.

What is the main bus station in Manchester?

Piccadilly Gardens serves as the main bus station in Manchester. It is strategically situated and is served by almost all regional routes. Instead of having one station building, Piccadilly Gardens Bus Station comprises several bus stops and stands. Another main bus station is the Manchester Coach Station situated on Chorlton Street, a few yards from the Arndale Centre. The two bus stations are easily accessible by Metrolink tram services and local buses.

Which bus companies offer coaches to Manchester?

Manchester is serviced by transport systems from multiple cities in the United Kingdom. National Express is one of the leading companies that offer regular buses to Manchester. Most cities in the UK like Liverpool, Edinburgh, Bristol, and London serve direct coaches to Manchester, however other prominent towns in the UK like Southampton and Cardiff provide indirect coaches to the city.

Why travel by bus to Manchester

Manchester is serviced by several bus stands and stops so traveling by bus to Manchester is the easiest and most convenient way to get to the city from London and other destinations throughout the UK. By traveling by bus, travelers have the chance to work, read or ponder the events since they won't be driving. Additionally, public transport is considered the safest method of travel in the UK. The buses are operated by highly skilled professional drivers who are thoroughly screened before they are hired.

Before traveling to Manchester by bus - good to know!

Known for its impressive architecture, music scene, and thrilling nightlife, Manchester is an exciting and youthful city. The cultural scene of the city is growing at a fast rate, thanks to its new cultural attraction sites such as the Lowry Gallery. The city is a famous destination for football aficionados who support Manchester’s two popular clubs, United and City. The ideal time to book a bus to Manchester in advance is about 30 days before your planned date of travel.

Manchester

Manchester has a reputation as being a lively party town, boosted by a large student population from the city’s university. Clubs such as the famous Hacienda and districts like Canal Street make it the ideal location for a fun night out, but that’s only half the story. International acts perform regularly at the HOME centre, a new contemporary arts space, fit for a major world city. Manchester also has a proud industrial past, and that is reflected in the many museums and galleries dotted around. The spectacularly housed University Museum on Oxford Road is crammed full of treasures from the natural world, and the ARTZU gallery, now settled in the old Granada Studios, is another must-see. Shopping is high on the to-do list of many visitors and there are two large malls, Manchester Arndale and the intu Trafford Centre, both of which blend popular high street stores with couture boutiques and numerous quality food outlets.

Bus providers: Megabus, DoggioBus and National Express to Manchester

Find the best trip to Manchester with Megabus, DoggioBus and National Express. Comparing schedules and prices and booking the most popular journey has never been easier with over 1000 travel companies on Omio.

Transpennine Express is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from Manchester and Liverpool to Scotland, the North East and Yorkshire. It offers a range of services, including express, regional and local trains. Express trains are the fastest, with journey times of up to three hours. Regional trains are slower, but offer more stops and a more relaxed atmosphere. Local trains are the slowest, but offer the most stops. Transpennine Express offers a range of ticket types, including single, return, group and season tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for Transpennine Express are Manchester to Edinburgh, Liverpool to Leeds and Manchester to York. These routes offer a convenient and comfortable way to travel between the cities.

National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance bus company operating over 550 buses per day and serving over 900 destinations across the UK. National Express also operates bus services to all major UK airports, such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and Bristol, 24 hours a day. All National Express buses have air conditioning and provide free WiFi access along with onboard entertainment. Most buses come with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, so you can charge your phone or laptop during a long journey. For your bus to Manchester, you can select from three ticket fares: Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare.

Transport for Wales is a public transport provider in Wales, UK. It operates a comprehensive network of trains, buses and ferries across the country. The trains are modern and comfortable, with a range of different types including InterCity Express Trains, Regional Trains, and Metro Trains. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. There are a variety of ticket types available, including single and return tickets, season tickets, and group tickets. The most popular routes include Cardiff to Swansea, Cardiff to Newport, and Cardiff to Manchester.

Avanti West Coast is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates high-speed trains between London and major cities in the UK, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The company offers a range of ticket types, including Standard, First Class and Advance tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drinks. The most popular routes for Avanti West Coast are London to Birmingham, London to Manchester and London to Glasgow. The company operates a fleet of Pendolino and Super Voyager trains, which offer a smooth and comfortable journey.

FlixBus is one of the most popular low-cost bus companies in Europe. Founded in Germany, FlixBus has expanded its services throughout Europe and even to the United States, giving travelers in both continents the option to take a long-distance bus at an affordable price. FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select routes throughout Europe. FlixBus offers only the Standard ticket for all its routes, which allows you to bring one carry-on bag and one checked bag per person. Additional fees apply for bringing extra luggage and making specific seat reservations, such as if you want to book an Extra Seat, Table Seat or the Panorama Seat. Standard amenities onboard include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge your phone, tablet or laptop during long bus journeys, extra legroom, luggage space and toilets.

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