- Recommended
Museum of Croydon
Museum and visitor centre at Britain’s first purpose-built airport, showcasing pioneering aviation history in the original terminal buildings.
Cheapest price
zł361
Average price
zł415
Fastest journey
3 h 34 m
Average duration
3 h 58 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
275 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Croydon is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Croydon will cost around zł415 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only zł361.
Of the 2 trains that leave Manchester for Croydon on Wed, Aug 05, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 05 the direct trains cover the 275 km distance in an average of 3 h 58 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 34 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest trains will take 4 h 22 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 bus as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Croydon among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from zł40. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 3m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of zł40, and a flight costs an average of zł474.
Distance: 170 miles (275 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
zł422 Average price | zł71 Average price Cheapest | zł1068 Average price | zł397 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 48m Average total duration 3h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 45m Average total duration 5h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 3m Average total duration Fastest 1h 3m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 41m 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 Manchester to Croydon:
A bus is zł351 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Croydon costing on average zł422.
A bus is zł997 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Croydon costing on average zł1068.
Other travel options to Croydon take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 18m.
Bus takes on average 5h 15m.
You'll arrive about 1h 23m sooner (3h 18m by train vs 4h 41m by car). Tickets start at around zł422 compared to roughly zł397 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 Manchester to Croydon trains for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:14 AM Manchester | 4h22 | 11:36 AM Croydon | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Manchester to Croydon run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 18m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at zł322 but you can travel from only zł40 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:15, the last at 22:45. The fastest train covers the 170 miles (275 km) distance in 3h 6m.
Distance 170 miles (275 km) |
Average train duration 3h 18m |
Cheapest ticket price zł322 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 3h 6m |
First train 12:15 AM |
Last train 10:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Croydon — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Croydon trip today.
Museum and visitor centre at Britain’s first purpose-built airport, showcasing pioneering aviation history in the original terminal buildings.
Compact local museum telling Croydon’s story through art, objects, and archives, with engaging displays on people, design, and everyday life.
Artist-run gallery and studios in South Norwood presenting contemporary exhibitions, workshops, and community projects with a strong local following.
Large landscaped park with lakes, gardens, and a manor house museum, ideal for walks, family outings, and a break from the urban centre.
One of Croydon’s best-loved parks, known for lakes, mature trees, and broad open spaces that make it excellent for peaceful everyday walking.
Nature reserve and walking area with scenic ponds and woodland, offering a quieter side of Croydon and good birdwatching opportunities.
Pie and mash is a South London staple: minced beef pie with mashed potato and parsley liquor, long linked to working-class eating in nearby London districts.
Jellied eels are a historic Thames-side dish, served cold in savoury jelly. They are a classic traditional food of Greater London and old East End markets.
Fish and chips is a beloved British takeaway of battered fried fish with chips, widely eaten in Croydon and across London as a classic comfort meal.
Refined modern British dining in a polished setting, known for seasonal tasting and à la carte menus from a respected local fine dining team.
Stylish independent restaurant serving creative small plates and modern European dishes in central Croydon with a lively yet relaxed atmosphere.
Popular gastropub in South Croydon serving British pub classics, Sunday roasts and drinks in a friendly, traditional local setting.
Moderate for Greater London: hotels and dining cost more than many UK towns, but local transit and casual meals are manageable for most visitors.
Service may be included in restaurants; otherwise tip 10-12.5% for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafes is optional.
Official public transport app
East Croydon -> Centrale Shopping Centre, Croydon
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Croydon 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 Croydon, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Croydon trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to East Croydon station pair, with some services arriving at South Croydon. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Croydon train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
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.
Manchester Victoria 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 Victoria.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Victoria.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Manchester Victoria: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Victoria: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Victoria: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, Scooter Friendly Station - Step free access around the whole station via use of lifts between platforms 3-6, connection with Manchester Metrolink using ramps, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards Located near the ticket office, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: As per ticket office opening hours, 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.
East Croydon is 1 km from Croydon city centre. Public transport options include:
East Croydon has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at East Croydon.
Wi-Fi is available at East Croydon. ATMs are available at East Croydon.
Ticket office support is available at East Croydon.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at East Croydon: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at East Croydon: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at East Croydon: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free access to all platforms. Lifts to overbridge from all platforms and side entrance. Long steep ramps to platforms from main entrance. (over 1:10 gradient). Assistance Meeting Point is the Information Point on station concourse, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Southern ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
South Croydon is 2 km from Croydon city centre. Public transport options include:
South Croydon has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at South Croydon.
Wi-Fi is available at South Croydon.
Ticket office support is available at South Croydon.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at South Croydon: Parking, WC.
Available at South Croydon: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at South Croydon: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: This is a Category C station: This station does not have step-free access. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Southern ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
West Croydon has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at West Croydon.
Wi-Fi is available at West Croydon.
Ticket office support is available at West Croydon.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at West Croydon: Parking.
Available at West Croydon: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at West Croydon: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: B2 station category. Step free access available for platform 1 and 3 using the London Road car park entrance . This side gate is kept locked but has help buttons to request use. Step-free access via separate entrance to platform 4 (to Sutton), 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.
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