- 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
$34
Average price
$49
Fastest journey
4 h
Average duration
4 h 49 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
295 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Glasgow to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Glasgow to Manchester will cost around $49 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $34.
Of the 4 buses that leave Glasgow for Manchester on Sat, Jun 20, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct buses cover the 295 km distance in an average of 4 h 49 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 5 h 10 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.
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX181
NX590
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX181
NX590Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Glasgow to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $24. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 4h 20m. 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 $24, and a flight costs an average of $194.
Distance: 183 miles (295 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$51 Average price Cheapest | $76 Average price | $279 Average price | $120 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 50m Average total duration Fastest 4h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 4m Average total duration 4h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 18m Average total duration 5h 18m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 54m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - 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 Glasgow to Manchester:
A bus is $25 (€21) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Glasgow to Manchester costing on average $76 (€62).
A bus is $228 (€187) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Glasgow to Manchester costing on average $279 (€228).
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 34m.
Flight takes on average 5h 18m.
Tickets start at around $51 (€42) compared to roughly $120 (€98) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $69 (€56). The journey takes 4h 20m versus 3h 54m 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 Megabus, National Express, 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 08:40AM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:20AM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:40PM | Arrival Time 02:40AM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 04:05AM | Duration 5h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $47 |
The table below shows live departures for Glasgow to Manchester buses for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX590 | 8:40 AM Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station | 5h10 | 1:50 PM Manchester, Coach Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 10:20 AM Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station | 5h00 | 3:20 PM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 10:40 PM Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station | 4h00 | 2:40 AM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX181 | 11:00 PM Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station | 5h05 | 4:05 AM Manchester, Coach Station | 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 Glasgow to Manchester run on average 5 times per day, taking around 4h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $24 (€19) if you book in advance.
There are 5 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:06, the last at 23:56. The fastest bus covers the 183 miles (295 km) distance in 4h 0m.
Distance 183 miles (295 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $24 (€19) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 4h 0m |
First bus 12:06 AM |
Last bus 11:56 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Mon |
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
National Express operates two direct buses from Glasgow to Manchester every day of the week. Passengers can also choose from a number of indirect options. Direct journeys between these Glasgow and Manchester take around five hours.
Buses from Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station to Manchester bus Station are operated by National Express, the UK's leading bus service. National Express buses depart from Buchanan bus Station in Glasgow and arrive at Manchester bus Station. National Express offer both direct and indirect services, with direct services being significantly faster.
Direct journeys on buses from Glasgow to Manchester take 5 hours or just over 5 hours. Indirect journeys with one change can take between 8 and 14 hours and may involve waiting time at Birmingham bus Station.
National Express operates two direct buses per day from Glasgow to Manchester. The first daily bus departs Glasgow late morning and arrives late afternoon. The second daily bus service departs before midnight and arrives in Manchester in the early hours of the following morning. The two direct services operate at the same times of day, seven days a week. There are also a number of indirect buses departing Glasgow throughout the day, from early in the morning until late at night. Indirect journeys involve a change at Birmingham bus Station.
Departure Station: National Express buses for Manchester depart from Glasgow's Buchanan Bus Station, the city's main bus and bus terminal. Facilities include toilets, left baggage, shops, cafe and an ATM. Located at the northern end of Glasgow's busy Buchanan Street, it is a five minute walk to the bus station from both centre of the city and from Glasgow Queen Street overground station.
Arrival Station: buses from Glasgow arrive at Manchester bus Station, which is located in the heart of the city on Chorlton Street. The bus station has a cafe, toilet, ATM, ticket machines, charging points and a shop. From the bus station, it is a very short walk to the main Manchester shopping area and around an eight minute walk to Manchester Picadilly Station.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Glasgow 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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