- 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
$4
Average price
$19
Fastest journey
52 m
Average duration
55 m
Trains per day
23
Distance
54 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chester to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Chester to Manchester will cost around $19 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $4.
Of the 23 trains that leave Chester for Manchester on Fri, Jun 19, 14 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 19 the direct trains cover the 54 km distance in an average of 55 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 52 m .
On Fri, Jun 19 the slowest trains will take 58 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.
L89019
G89122
L89034
G89113 · G89934
G89109 · G89926
G89122
G89124
G89138
G89136
G38533Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chester to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $4. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 59m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $4, and a bus costs an average of $17.
Distance: 33 miles (54 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$12 Average price Cheapest | $28 Average price | $15 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 29m Average total duration Fastest 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 1m Average total duration 1h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 6m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Chester to Manchester:
A train is $16 (€13) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Chester to Manchester costing on average $28 (€23).
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 31m.
The journey is about 7m faster (59m by train vs 1h 6m by car) and roughly $4 (€3) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($12 (€10) vs $15 (€13)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Northern Rail, Transport for Wales, Transport for Wales, Northern Trains Limited.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Chester to Manchester trains for today, Thursday, June 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L89035 | On time 6:56 PM Chester station (CTR) | 1h36 | 8:32 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38712 · G38999 | On time 6:58 PM Chester station (CTR) | 1h15 | 8:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G89140 · G89979 | On time 7:25 PM Chester station (CTR) | 1h30 | 8:55 PM Deansgate (DGT) | 1 transfer | |
G89140 | On time 7:25 PM Chester station (CTR) | 0h53 | 8:18 PM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38537 | 7:52 PM Chester station (CTR) | 0h58 | 8:50 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L89040 | 7:56 PM Chester station (CTR) | 1h29 | 9:25 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38714 · G38959 | On time 7:58 PM Chester station (CTR) | 1h15 | 9:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G89143 · G89986 | On time 8:26 PM Chester station (CTR) | 1h32 | 9:58 PM Deansgate (DGT) | 1 transfer | |
G89143 | On time 8:26 PM Chester station (CTR) | 0h53 | 9:19 PM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W33966 · W34129 | On time 8:37 PM Chester station (CTR) | 1h07 | 9:44 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G38539 | 8:52 PM Chester station (CTR) | 0h58 | 9:50 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L89044 | On time 8:56 PM Chester station (CTR) | 1h31 | 10:27 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38719 · G39004 | On time 8:58 PM Chester station (CTR) | 1h23 | 10:21 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| Friday, June 19 | |||||
G89109 | 6:20 AM Chester station (CTR) | 0h58 | 7:18 AM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89109 · G89926 | 6:20 AM Chester station (CTR) | 1h35 | 7:55 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 1 transfer | |
W34251 · W33981 | 6:24 AM Chester station (CTR) | 1h19 | 7:43 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
L89019 | 6:48 AM Chester station (CTR) | 1h31 | 8:19 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38508 | 6:52 AM Chester station (CTR) | 0h58 | 7:50 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38685 · G38943 | 6:58 AM Chester station (CTR) | 1h15 | 8:13 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G89113 | 8:20 AM Chester station (CTR) | 0h58 | 9:18 AM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89113 · G89934 | 8:20 AM Chester station (CTR) | 1h35 | 9:55 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 1 transfer | |
W34089 · W34147 | 8:32 AM Chester station (CTR) | 1h12 | 9:44 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G38514 | 8:52 AM Chester station (CTR) | 0h58 | 9:50 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L89034 | 8:56 AM Chester station (CTR) | 1h29 | 10:25 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38690 · G38945 | 8:58 AM Chester station (CTR) | 1h15 | 10:13 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G89122 | 12:26 PM Chester station (CTR) | 0h52 | 1:18 PM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W33934 · W33931 | 12:32 PM Chester station (CTR) | 1h12 | 1:44 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G38523 | 12:52 PM Chester station (CTR) | 0h58 | 1:50 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L89054 | 12:56 PM Chester station (CTR) | 1h29 | 2:25 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38698 · G38975 | 12:58 PM Chester station (CTR) | 1h15 | 2:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G89124 | 1:25 PM Chester station (CTR) | 0h53 | 2:18 PM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89136 | 5:23 PM Chester station (CTR) | 0h55 | 6:18 PM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38533 | 5:52 PM Chester station (CTR) | 0h58 | 6:50 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L89031 | 5:56 PM Chester station (CTR) | 1h29 | 7:25 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38710 · G38957 | 5:58 PM Chester station (CTR) | 1h15 | 7:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G89138 | 6:23 PM Chester station (CTR) | 0h55 | 7:18 PM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train 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 Chester to Manchester run on average 11 times per day, taking around 59m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $4 (€3) if you book in advance.
There are 7 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:05, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 33 miles (54 km) distance in 51m.
Distance 33 miles (54 km) |
Average train duration 59m |
Cheapest ticket price $4 (€3) |
Trains per day 11 |
Direct trains 7 |
Fastest train 51m |
First train 12:05 AM |
Last train 11:58 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 7 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 Chester 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.

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