- 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
€125
Average price
€125
Fastest journey
3 h 38 m
Average duration
3 h 38 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
335 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Ashford to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Ashford to Manchester will cost around €125 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €125.
Of the 1 trains that leave Ashford for Manchester on Thu, Aug 13, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Aug 13 the direct trains cover the 335 km distance in an average of 3 h 38 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 38 m .
On Thu, Aug 13 the slowest trains will take 3 h 38 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 Ashford to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €84. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 58m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €84, and a flight costs an average of €81.
Distance: 208 miles (335 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€100 Average price Cheapest | €147 Average price | €73 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 28m Average total duration 2h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 58m Average total duration Fastest 58m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 4m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Ashford to Manchester:
A train is €47 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Ashford to Manchester costing on average €147.
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 58m.
You'll arrive about 2h 6m sooner (2h 58m by train vs 5h 4m by car). Tickets start at around €100 compared to roughly €73 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Ashford to Manchester trains for tomorrow, Thursday, August 13. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:41 AM Ashford | 3h38 | 1:19 PM Manchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train 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.
Trains from Ashford to Manchester run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 58m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €84 but you can travel from only €81 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 00:07, the last at 23:49. The fastest train covers the 208 miles (335 km) distance in 3h 25m.
Distance 208 miles (335 km) |
Average train duration 2h 58m |
Cheapest ticket price €84 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 3h 25m |
First train 12:07 AM |
Last train 11:49 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 28 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.
Major art museum with Pre-Raphaelite works, design, and changing exhibitions. A central cultural stop with broad appeal.
The University of Manchester museum spans dinosaurs, Egypt, nature, and anthropology. Recently renewed and excellent for varied interests.
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 Ashford to Manchester by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Manchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Ashford to Manchester trains use the Ashford International to Manchester Piccadilly station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester Airport. Use this guide to compare Ashford and Manchester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Ashford International has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Ashford International.
ATMs are available at Ashford International.
Ticket office support is available at Ashford International. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0345 322 7021 or Text relay 18001 0345 322 7021 Freephone 0800 783 4524 or Text Relay 18001 0800 783 4524, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Ashford International: Parking, WC.
Available at Ashford International: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ashford International: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A. This station has step free access to all platforms - Access to all platforms and interchange via lifts and stairs, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not wheelchair accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available to book, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: These are located in the booking hall on the domestic side of the station. They are also located in the subway adjacent to the gateline on the international side of the station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Monday - Friday 24 Hours a Day Saturday 24 Hours a Day Sunday 24 Hours a Day Assistance/Help available from station staff from First to Last trains, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Manchester Piccadilly has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, Caffè Nero, Carluccio’s, Hotel Chocolat, Starbucks, The Pasty Shop, Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, Upper Crust, McDonald's, & more
Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi. ATMs are there are ATM machines on the main concourse, Platform 10 and on the mezzanine level.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30, Sun: 07:00 - 22:30. Information desks are located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
Luggage storage is operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Piccadilly: There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly, Premier Inn Manchester City, Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly.
Manchester Airport is 13 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Manchester Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Airport.
Wi-Fi is available at Manchester Airport. ATMs are available at Manchester Airport.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Airport. Information desks are information available from staff: ,Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 107 2149, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Manchester Airport: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Airport: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Airport: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: re Step free access is provided from the Ground Transport Interchange to all platforms via lifts or ramps. This station is staffed for all services. This station is Category A. Station staff can provide assistance from Meeting Point 1 (adjacent to the Station Booking Office) and throughout the railway station, and with boarding and alighting the train. Customers requiring assistance should make themselves known to station staff no less than 20 minutes prior to the departure time of their train. Customers requiring assistance to access other services or to connect with terminals should request this from their airline or Manchester Airport Group. Assistance can be requested in advance by contacting the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay). Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible public telephones: In the station cafe on platforms 2 and 3, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Manchester has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Multiple food outlets and cafes available.
Free public Wi-Fi available in the station. ATMs are several ATMs located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester.
Available at Manchester: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester: Step-free access throughout the station.
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