- 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 on Sep 20
€103
Average ticket price on Sep 20
€103
Fastest journey on Sep 20
4 h 17 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
5 h 2 m
Trains on Sep 20
6
Distance
265 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Ilford to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Ilford to Manchester will cost around €103 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €103.
It's difficult to get from Ilford to Manchester without transferring at least 3 times.
Tube from Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth line) to London Euston+
C17843+
G66614+
C37011
Tube from Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth line) to London Euston+
C17847+
G00878+
C38242
Tube from London Liverpool Street to London Euston+
C17841+
G00857+
C35252
Tube from Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth line) to London Euston+
C17891+
G00871+
C38227
Tube from Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth line) to London Euston+
C17839+
G38964+
C36957
Tube from Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth line) to London Euston+
C17891+
G00871+
C38227
Tube from Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth line) to London Euston+
C17847+
G00878+
C38242
Tube from Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth line) to London Euston+
C17843+
G66614+
C37011
Tube from Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth line) to London Euston+
C17839+
G38964+
C36957
Tube from Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth line) to London Euston+
C17907+
G38968+
C36980Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Ilford to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €29 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 21m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €29, while a flight costs an average of €405.
Distance: 164 miles (265 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€109 Average price | €29 Average price Cheapest | €405 Average price | €86 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 21m Average total duration Fastest 2h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 54m Average total duration 5h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 54m Average total duration 1h 54m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 51m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Ilford to Manchester:
A bus is €80 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Ilford to Manchester costing on average €109.
A bus is €376 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Ilford to Manchester costing on average €405.
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 51m.
Bus takes on average 5h 24m.
You'll arrive about 1h 0m sooner (2h 51m by train vs 3h 51m by car). Tickets start at around €109 compared to roughly €86 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 Ilford to Manchester trains for tomorrow, Sunday, September 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C35252+ Tube from London Liverpool Street to London Euston+ C17841+ G00857 | 6:36 AM Ilford station (IFD) | 5h54 | 12:30 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3 transfers | |
C36957+ Tube from Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth line) to London Euston+ C17839+ G38964 | 7:51 AM Ilford station (IFD) | 5h20 | 1:11 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3 transfers | |
C36980+ Tube from Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth line) to London Euston+ C17907+ G38968 | 8:51 AM Ilford station (IFD) | 5h24 | 2:15 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3 transfers | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Ilford to Manchester run on average 3 times per day, taking around 2h 51m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €72 but you can travel from only €10 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:04, the last at 22:28. The fastest train covers the 164 miles (265 km) distance in 2h 40m.
Distance 164 miles (265 km) |
Average train duration 2h 51m |
Cheapest ticket price €72 |
Trains per day 3 |
Fastest train 2h 40m |
First train 12:04 AM |
Last train 10:28 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 63 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 Ilford 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 Ilford to Manchester trains use the Ilford to Manchester Piccadilly station pair. Use this guide to compare Ilford and Manchester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Ilford has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Ilford.
Ticket office support is available at Ilford. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0343 222 1234, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Ilford: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Ilford: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ilford: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Accessibility Category C. This station does not have step-free access. Staff ramp assistance is always available. Accessible seating is available on platforms 3&4, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accessible ticket machines are located At the York Mews station entrance At the Ilford Hill temporary station entrance At the Ilford south station entrance, Accessible toilets: No, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Staff are available to assist from the first to last train, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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.
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