- 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.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Dronfield to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $42 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 33m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $42, while a train costs an average of $42.
Distance: 33 miles (54 km)
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
$42 Average price Cheapest | $16 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 33m Average total duration Fastest 1h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 42m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Dronfield to Manchester:
A bus is $35 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Dronfield to Manchester costing on average $42.
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 30m.
You'll arrive about 39m sooner (1h 3m by train vs 1h 42m by car). Tickets start at around $42 compared to roughly $16 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 East Midlands Railway, east_midlands_trains.
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 Dronfield to Manchester trains for today, Thursday, September 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G89736+ C21812 | On time 10:02 AM Dronfield station (DRO) | 1h33 | 11:35 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G89740+ C21590 | On time 11:03 AM Dronfield station (DRO) | 1h32 | 12:35 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G89746+ C21811 | On time 12:01 PM Dronfield station (DRO) | 1h34 | 1:35 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G89752+ C21591 | On time 1:01 PM Dronfield station (DRO) | 1h34 | 2:35 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G89758+ C21810 | On time 2:02 PM Dronfield station (DRO) | 1h33 | 3:35 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G89763+ C21593 | On time 3:03 PM Dronfield station (DRO) | 1h32 | 4:35 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G89769+ C21809 | On time 4:02 PM Dronfield station (DRO) | 1h33 | 5:35 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 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 Dronfield to Manchester run on average 9 times per day, taking around 1h 3m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $42 but you can travel from only $7 by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:43, the last at 22:23. The fastest train covers the 33 miles (54 km) distance in 1h 2m.
Distance 33 miles (54 km) |
Average train duration 1h 3m |
Cheapest ticket price $42 |
Trains per day 9 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 1h 2m |
First train 5:43 AM |
Last train 10:23 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 4 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 Dronfield 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 Dronfield to Manchester trains use the Sheffield to Manchester Piccadilly station pair. Use this guide to compare Dronfield and Manchester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Dronfield has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Dronfield.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dronfield: Parking.
Available at Dronfield: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dronfield: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category B station, Scooter Friendly Station - Station is unstaffed. However no problems for disabled or wheelchair users as the access to the platforms is via road and down ramp, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible ticket machines: There are no accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, 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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need