- Must visit
Wordsworth Grasmere
Wordsworth’s former home with period rooms and a major literary museum. Essential for understanding Romantic-era Lakeland culture.
Cheapest price
$12
Average price
$44
Fastest journey
1 h 28 m
Average duration
1 h 35 m
Trains per day
20
Distance
116 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Ambleside is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Ambleside will cost around $44 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $12.
Of the 20 trains that leave Manchester for Ambleside on Thu, Aug 20, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Aug 20 the direct trains cover the 116 km distance in an average of 1 h 35 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 28 m .
On Thu, Aug 20 the slowest trains will take 1 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.
G89062
G89062
G89579 · G85447+
W34180
G89059 · G85435+
C01320
G89059 · G85435+
C01320
W85179+
G85374
G89057 · G85424+
W34169
G89059 · G85435+
C01320
G89062
G89045 · G85365+
W34254Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Ambleside among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $8. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 37m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $8, and a bus costs an average of $17.
Distance: 72 miles (116 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$21 Average price Cheapest | $23 Average price | $33 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 7m Average total duration Fastest 1h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 15m Average total duration 5h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Ambleside:
A train is $6 (€5) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Manchester to Ambleside costing on average $26 (€21).
Other travel options to Ambleside take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 45m.
The journey is about 13m faster (1h 36m by train vs 1h 49m by car) and roughly $13 (€11) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($20 (€16) vs $33 (€27)). 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.
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 Manchester to Ambleside trains for tomorrow, Thursday, August 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G89062 | 8:56 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 1h45 | 10:41 AM Windermere station (WDM) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89062 | 8:56 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 1h38 | 10:34 AM Staveley station (SVL) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W85170+ G85365 | 9:24 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 2h10 | 11:34 AM Staveley station (SVL) | 1 transfer | |
W85170+ G85365 | 9:24 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 2h16 | 11:40 AM Windermere station (WDM) | 1 transfer | |
G89045 · G85365+ W34254 | 9:56 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 1h38 | 11:34 AM Staveley station (SVL) | 2 transfers | |
G89045 · G85365+ W34254 | 9:56 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 1h44 | 11:40 AM Windermere station (WDM) | 2 transfers | |
G89047 · G85374+ W33941 | 10:56 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 2h02 | 12:58 PM Windermere station (WDM) | 2 transfers | |
G89047 · G85374+ W33941 | 10:56 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 1h56 | 12:52 PM Staveley station (SVL) | 2 transfers | |
P28660+ W85179+ G85374 | 11:09 AM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 1h43 | 12:52 PM Staveley station (SVL) | 2 transfers | |
W85179+ G85374 | 11:24 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 1h28 | 12:52 PM Staveley station (SVL) | 1 transfer | |
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 Manchester to Ambleside run on average 19 times per day, taking around 1h 37m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $8 (€7) if you book in advance.
There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:57, the last at 22:39. The fastest train covers the 72 miles (116 km) distance in 1h 33m.
Distance 72 miles (116 km) |
Average train duration 1h 37m |
Cheapest ticket price $8 (€7) |
Trains per day 19 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 1h 33m |
First train 4:57 AM |
Last train 10:39 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Ambleside — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ambleside trip today.
Wordsworth’s former home with period rooms and a major literary museum. Essential for understanding Romantic-era Lakeland culture.
Museum displays within Beatrix Potter’s preserved farmhouse. The original rooms offer intimate insight into her life and work.
Independent museum with local history, Beatrix Potter material, and art collections. A compact, rewarding introduction to the area.
Large waterfall reached by woodland paths from town. A classic Ambleside walk with fast water, mossy rock, and photo-worthy views.
Popular fell walk above town with wide views over Windermere and the central fells. Short but rewarding for most walkers.
Quiet lakeshore and island-dotted water near Rydal. The setting inspired poets and remains one of the area’s most scenic walks.
A spiced fruit cake from Cumbria, traditionally enriched with tea, dried fruit and warming spices. It is a classic Lake District bake often served with tea.
Northern Cumberland sausage is coiled and boldly seasoned with pepper and herbs. It is a protected regional specialty strongly associated with Cumbria.
A rich fruit cake made with currants, candied peel and spice, baked for celebrations and afternoon tea. It is a long-standing Cumbrian farmhouse tradition.
Established Michelin-starred dining room at The Samling, known for refined British tasting menus and elegant Lake District views.
Popular independent restaurant serving modern British small plates with local produce in a lively yet polished setting.
Well-known vegetarian restaurant with globally inspired dishes, homemade cakes and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere near the centre.
Ambleside is pricier than many UK towns due to Lake District demand. Hotels, pub meals, and parking add up, though buses and casual cafés can help control costs.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis. In cafés, tipping is optional, such as small change.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Ambleside 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 Ambleside, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Ambleside trains use the Deansgate to Staveley station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Ambleside train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Deansgate is 1 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Deansgate has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Deansgate.
Ticket office support is available at Deansgate.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Deansgate: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Deansgate: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Deansgate: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station From Whitworth Street, up a ramp (43 paces, 1:25 slope) and level access through the entrance into the foyer. Or from the junction of Chester Road, Whitworth Street and Deansgate, level access through the entrance, along the corridor and up 21 steps into the foyer. Then, to Manchester: Past the ticket office, via the lift in the foyer. Or up a ramp (34 paces), up 17 steps onto the platform. To Bolton, Warrington and Wigan : Via the lift in the foyer or along the subway (26 paces), up a ramp (32 paces) and up 18 steps onto the platform. Level access to Manchester platform also via overbridge from Metrolink G-Mex Metrolink stop. Lift available first to last train, currently 06:20 - 23:40 Monday to Saturday. 08:10 - 23:30 Sunday, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Manchester Oxford Road has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Oxford Road.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Oxford Road.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Manchester Oxford Road: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Oxford Road: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Oxford Road: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B Station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station - There are two lifts at the Piccadilly end of platform 4 and 2/3 which connect the concourse area platform 4 and 5 with 2/3. Note: there is no lift access to platform 1 at all, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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.
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