Manchester to Edinburgh train

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Cheap train tickets from Manchester to Edinburgh

Showing times and prices for Oct 14

Cheapest

$79

Average

$88

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

Cheapest

G31933

08:56AM3h24

Deansgate (DGT)

12:20PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)

$791One-way

1 transfer

C42798

08:24AM3h13

Manchester Oxford Road (MCO)

11:37AMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)

$801One-way

0 transfers

C30251

08:59AM4h22

Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)

01:21PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)

$1051One-way

1 transfer

Manchester to Edinburgh train times

Showing trains for tomorrow, Monday, October 14

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Transfers
Transpennine Express C42798	08:24AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO)	3h13	11:37AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)	0 transfersDirect
Avanti West Coast G31933	08:56AM Deansgate (DGT)	3h24	12:20PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)	1 transfer
London North Eastern Railway C30251	08:59AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	4h22	01:21PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)	1 transfer
This is the last train of the day.

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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Manchester to Edinburgh?

The best time to book your train from Manchester to Edinburgh is 91 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Manchester to Edinburgh route.

Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Manchester to Edinburgh per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Manchester to Edinburgh.

Trains

from $62

Buses

from $24

Flights

from $636

Fastest train times from Manchester to Edinburgh

Showing times and prices for Oct 14

Fastest Journey

3 h 13 m

Average

3 h 39 m

Trains per day

Distance

282 km

Of the 3 trains that leave Manchester for Edinburgh every day 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

Fastest

C42798

08:24AM3h13

Manchester Oxford Road (MCO)

11:37AMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)

$801One-way

0 transfers

G31933

08:56AM3h24

Deansgate (DGT)

12:20PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)

$791One-way

1 transfer

C30251

08:59AM4h22

Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)

01:21PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)

$1051One-way

1 transfer

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ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Manchester to Edinburgh

The customer opinion was acquired via Cimenio. Cimenio incentivises its users for giving an honest opinion and proving the booking with a photo of the travel ticket.

Pros

There was wifi

Beautiful view

Cons

Very expensive

The train was very dirty

I travelled from Manchester to Edinburgh on 29 April. The journey took about three hours with no delays. I travelled on the k323. There was wifi, but no power sockets. There was also no catering. The seats were comfortable and the noise level was reasonable. The hygiene, on the other hand, was not so good. Neither was the price-performance ratio, as the ticket was very expensive. The journey was direct and I didn't have to change trains.

Overview: Train from Manchester to Edinburgh

Distance	174 miles (281 km)
Average train duration	3 h 13 min
Average train ticket price	$80 (€69)
Train frequency	10 a day
Direct train	Yes, there are 6 direct trains a day
Train providers	TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, LNER, CrossCountry, Northern Rail (3) or first_transpennine_express

Trains from Manchester to Edinburgh cover the 174 miles (281 km) long route taking on average 3 h 13 min with our travel partners like TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, LNER, CrossCountry, Northern Rail (3) or first_transpennine_express. Normally, there are 10 trains operating per day, including direct services available. While the average ticket price for this route costs around $80 (€69), you can find the cheapest train ticket for as low as $48 (€41). Travelers depart most frequently from Manchester Piccadilly and arrive in Edinburgh Waverley.

Train companies: TransPennine Express, Virgin Trains and East Coast from Manchester to Edinburgh trains

Travel to Edinburgh from Manchester from $38 (€33) with Omio’s train partners TransPennine Express, Virgin Trains and East Coast! You can find the best schedules and tickets when comparing and booking the most affordable route for you.

Transpennine Express is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from Manchester and Liverpool to Scotland, the North East and Yorkshire. It offers a range of services, including express, regional and local trains. Express trains are the fastest, with journey times of up to three hours. Regional trains are slower, but offer more stops and a more relaxed atmosphere. Local trains are the slowest, but offer the most stops. Transpennine Express offers a range of ticket types, including single, return, group and season tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for Transpennine Express are Manchester to Edinburgh, Liverpool to Leeds and Manchester to York. These routes offer a convenient and comfortable way to travel between the cities.

Train information from Manchester to Edinburgh with TransPennine Express:

Average Duration: 3 h 13 min
Cheapest Price: $38

Avanti West Coast is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates high-speed trains between London and major cities in the UK, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The company offers a range of ticket types, including Standard, First Class and Advance tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drinks. The most popular routes for Avanti West Coast are London to Birmingham, London to Manchester and London to Glasgow. The company operates a fleet of Pendolino and Super Voyager trains, which offer a smooth and comfortable journey.

Manchester to Edinburgh train information with Virgin Trains:

Average Duration: 3 h 20 min
Cheapest Price: $43

LNER is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates a wide range of services, from high-speed intercity trains to local services. Its most popular routes include London to Edinburgh, London to Leeds, and London to York. LNER offers a variety of train types, including the Azuma, InterCity 225, and HST. The Azuma is a modern, high-speed train that offers comfortable seating and onboard Wi-Fi. The InterCity 225 is a classic train that offers a more traditional experience. The HST is a high-speed train that offers a smooth ride and plenty of legroom. LNER offers a variety of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak. Advance tickets are the cheapest option and must be booked in advance. Anytime tickets are more expensive but can be used at any time. Off-Peak tickets are the most affordable option for travelling during off-peak times. Onboard facilities include comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. LNER also offers a range of discounts and special offers, making it an affordable and convenient way to travel.

Train information from Manchester to Edinburgh with East Coast:

Average Duration: 4 h 5 min
Cheapest Price: $97

Cross Country trains are a UK-based train operator that provides services across the country including trains from Manchester to Edinburgh. They offer a range of services, from express services to local services, and have a variety of ticket types to suit different needs. Their express services, such as the CrossCountry Voyager and CrossCountry XC Trains, offer a fast and comfortable journey, with onboard facilities such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a selection of snacks and drinks. Their local services, such as the CrossCountry Regional and CrossCountry Regional Express, provide a more leisurely journey, with stops at smaller stations along the way. They also offer a range of ticket types, such as Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak tickets, to suit different budgets and travel needs. The most popular routes for Cross Country trains include London to Birmingham, Manchester to Edinburgh, and Bristol to Reading.

Manchester to Edinburgh train information with CrossCountry:

Average Duration: 4 h 15 min
Cheapest Price: $97

Northern Trains is one of many publicly owned train operating companies in the United Kingdom. The rail network in the UK has been run by over 20 train companies, but they work together as National Rail with coordinated fares and ticketing. Headquartered in York, Northern operates local and commuter trains across the entire north of England connecting regions of the North East, North West, East Midlands, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and the Humber coast line. Advance, Off-Peak and Anytime Day tickets can be purchased for Northern train journeys between Manchester and Edinburgh. There is only one class option on Northern trains: Standard.

Train information from Manchester to Edinburgh with Northern Rail (3):

Average Duration: 3 h 22 min
Cheapest Price: $238
Northern Rail (3) frequency: 4 a day

Train tickets from Manchester to Edinburgh: when to book to save $

Time	Price	Savings
1 week earlier	28 €
2 weeks earlier	26 €	8%
3 weeks earlier	24 €	17%
1 month before	26 €	8%
2 months earlier	23 €	22%
3 months earlier	24 €	17%

All train ticket offers

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Train companies often offer promotional prices and offers—by buying in advance—you can get access the best prices for trains in the U.S., Canada, and the major European railroad operators. Search on Omio to check prices and cheap train tickets from Manchester - Edinburgh. Easily find the most attractive rates and choose the your preferred route for your journey. Book and choose your mobile ticket: avoid the queues at the station and the added stress of printing your ticket.

The rule of buying in advance to save money is not only valid when booking a flight but also for train travel. Train tickets are generally on sale 6 months before the departure date. Some train booking tips from us:

Buying your train ticket from Manchester - Edinburgh 3 weeks in advance means you can save on average up to 17% compared to the price available on the day of departure.
If you book a ticket Manchester - Edinburgh with 2 months in advance you save up to about 22% compared to the initial price.
By booking 3 months in advance, you could save up to 17%.
On Omio you can find all offers, train times and prices for train travel in Europe, the U.S., and Canada.

FAQs: Trains from Manchester to Edinburgh

FAQs: Travel by train from Manchester to Edinburgh easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Manchester to Edinburgh.

Cheap train tickets from Manchester to Edinburgh can start from as little as $48 (€41) when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Manchester to Edinburgh is $80 (€69); however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.

On average the Manchester to Edinburgh train travel time is 3 h 13 min for the 174 mile (281 km) long route, but the duration can vary if you travel on weekends and holidays.

The first train from Manchester to Edinburgh leaves at 4: 43 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.

The last train from Manchester to Edinburgh leaves at 7: 30 PM.

Yes, there are 6 direct trains a day from Manchester to Edinburgh with TransPennine Express or first_transpennine_express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct trains.

Take the Manchester to Edinburgh train with TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, LNER, CrossCountry, Northern Rail (3) or first_transpennine_express. However, it's always good to check out all possible train providers for the journey to Edinburgh from Manchester as there might be differences in the amenities they offer.

No, there are no night trains, the latest train for this route is 7: 30 PM.

Passengers board the train most frequently from Manchester Piccadilly, which is located around 0.5 miles (767 m) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Edinburgh Waverley, located 0.4 miles (727 m) away from the city centre.

A trip to Edinburgh from Manchester is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 3 h 13 min each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.

The cheapest month to travel from Manchester to Edinburgh by train is July.

You have options as you can travel from Manchester to Edinburgh 3 different ways: train, bus or flight.

Popular train stations from Manchester to Edinburgh

Manchester

Edinburgh

The major railway station for departures from Manchester is Manchester Piccadilly. Read all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Manchester Piccadilly for your journey between Manchester and Edinburgh.

Manchester Piccadilly Wifi

Amenities at station

Wifi

Lockers

Parking

ATM

Taxis

Accessibility

Address

Piccadilly Station Approach, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 7RA, United Kingdom

Phone Number

+44 3457114141

Ticket Office Hours

Mon - Sat: 04: 30 - 22: 30 | Sun: 07: 00 - 22: 30

Public transit options for Manchester Piccadilly

Bus lines: 1, 2, 3, 147
Train lines: Northern, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Trains, Transport for Wales

Manchester Airport Wifi

Amenities at station

Wifi

Shopping

Parking

ATM

Accessibility

Address

Manchester Airport station, Malaga Avenue, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M90 3RR

Public transit options for Manchester Airport

Location for Rail Replacement Services: Rail Replacement bus services depart from stands L & M of the adjacent Bus Station which is situated close to the ticket office.

Manchester Oxford Road Parking

Amenities at station

Parking

Accessibility

Address

Manchester Oxford Road station, Station Approach, Oxford Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 6FU

Public transit options for Manchester Oxford Road

Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at the bus stops on Whitworth St West (200 yards from station) (station side for Liverpool, opposite side for Piccadilly)