- 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
$31
Average price
$80
Fastest journey
2 h 19 m
Average duration
2 h 38 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
176 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cheltenham to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cheltenham to Manchester will cost around $80 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $31.
Of the 3 trains that leave Cheltenham for Manchester on Thu, Jun 18, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jun 18 the direct trains cover the 176 km distance in an average of 2 h 38 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 19 m .
On Thu, Jun 18 the slowest trains will take 3 h 6 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 Cheltenham to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $14. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 15m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $14, and a train costs an average of $21.
Distance: 109 miles (176 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$87 Average price | $25 Average price Cheapest | $48 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 45m Average total duration Fastest 2h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 11m Average total duration 3h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 42m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Cheltenham to Manchester:
A bus is $62 (€50) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cheltenham to Manchester costing on average $87 (€70).
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 41m.
You'll arrive about 27m sooner (2h 15m by train vs 2h 42m by car). Tickets start at around $87 (€70) compared to roughly $48 (€39) 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.
Direct services run with Cross Country.
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 Cheltenham to Manchester trains for today, Wednesday, June 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G66721 | On time 8:40 AM Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 2h19 | 10:59 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00938 · G00851 | On time 8:59 AM Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 2h30 | 11:29 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G00854 | On time 9:40 AM Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 2h19 | 11:59 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G66712 · G00855 | On time 9:59 AM Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 2h30 | 12:29 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G66730 | On time 10:40 AM Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 2h19 | 12:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G01067 · G00858 | On time 10:59 AM Cheltenham Spa (CNM) | 2h30 | 1:29 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Cheltenham to Manchester run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 15m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $21 (€17) but you can travel from only $14 (€12) by bus.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:48, the last at 23:36. The fastest train covers the 109 miles (176 km) distance in 2h 18m.
Distance 109 miles (176 km) |
Average train duration 2h 15m |
Cheapest ticket price $21 (€17) |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 2h 18m |
First train 4:48 AM |
Last train 11:36 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sat |
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 Piccadilly, Manchester -> Manchester City Centre, Manchester
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cheltenham 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.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need