Cambridgeshire Clanger
Cambridgeshire clanger is a baked suet pastry with savoury filling at one end and sweet jam or fruit at the other, created as a portable farm worker meal.
Cheapest price on Sep 19
€73
Average ticket price on Sep 19
€97
Fastest journey on Sep 19
3 h 12 m
Average journey duration on Sep 19
3 h 23 m
Trains on Sep 19
2
Distance
206 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Ely is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Ely will cost around €97 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €73.
On Sat, Sep 19, we found 2 trains from Manchester to Ely, including 2 direct services.
On Sat, Sep 19 the direct trains cover the 206 km distance in an average of 3 h 23 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 12 m .
On Sat, Sep 19 the slowest trains will take 3 h 33 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 train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Ely among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €30 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 38m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €30, while a flight costs an average of €339.
Distance: 128 miles (206 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€90 Average price | €339 Average price | €30 Average price Cheapest | €48 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 38m Average total duration Fastest 3h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 55m Average total duration 1h 55m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 8h 7m Average total duration 7h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 36m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Ely:
A bus is €60 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Ely costing on average €90.
A bus is €308 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Ely costing on average €339.
Other travel options to Ely take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 8m.
Bus takes on average 7h 37m.
You'll arrive about 28m sooner (3h 8m by train vs 3h 36m by car). Tickets start at around €90 compared to roughly €48 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.
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 Ely trains for today, Friday, September 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W34115+ G00841 | Delayed 5:23 AM 6:23 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 4h24 | 9:56 AM 9:56 AMEly station (ELY) | 1 transfer | |
| Saturday, September 19 | |||||
![]() | 9:13 AM Manchester | 3h33 | 12:46 PM Ely | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:34 AM Manchester | 3h12 | 12:46 PM Ely | 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 Ely run on average 13 times per day, taking around 3h 8m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €36 but you can travel from only €17 by bus.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 02:44, the last at 23:44. The fastest train covers the 128 miles (206 km) distance in 2h 31m.
Distance 128 miles (206 km) |
Average train duration 3h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price €36 |
Trains per day 13 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 2h 31m |
First train 2:44 AM |
Last train 11:44 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of Ely — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ely trip today.
Cambridgeshire clanger is a baked suet pastry with savoury filling at one end and sweet jam or fruit at the other, created as a portable farm worker meal.
Ely plum bread is a lightly spiced fruit loaf long linked with nearby cathedral city baking traditions, usually sliced and served with butter.
Fenland celery is a historic local crop from the rich peat soils around Ely, prized for its crisp texture and strong flavour in salads and soups.
Well-regarded independent restaurant and deli focused on seasonal British ingredients, small plates and a cosy neighbourhood feel.
Riverside brasserie at Poets House known for polished British dishes, cocktails and a smart yet relaxed setting near Ely Cathedral.
Popular waterside pub on the Great Ouse serving hearty pub meals, fish dishes and drinks with relaxed marina views.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels can be limited and pricier in peak periods, but dining and local transport are usually manageable for most visitors.
Restaurants often add a service charge; if not, 10-12.5% is typical for good service. Taxi fares are usually rounded up. Tipping in cafes is optional.
Official public transport app
Ely Railway Station -> Ely City Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Ely 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 Ely, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Ely trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Ely station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Ely 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.
Ely has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Ely.
Wi-Fi is available at Ely.
Ticket office support is available at Ely. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 028 28 78, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Ely: Parking, WC.
Available at Ely: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ely: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible taxis: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster, 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: No.
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