- Must visit
Gainsborough Old Hall
One of England's best-preserved medieval manor houses. Highlights include timber-framed rooms, royal connections, and engaging interpretation.
Cheapest price on Oct 04
€39
Average ticket price on Oct 04
€40
Fastest journey on Oct 04
2 h 45 m
Average journey duration on Oct 04
2 h 54 m
Trains on Oct 04
2
Distance
98 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Gainsborough is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Gainsborough will cost around €40 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €39.
On Sun, Oct 04, we found 2 trains from Manchester to Gainsborough, including 2 direct services.
On Sun, Oct 04 the direct trains cover the 98 km distance in an average of 2 h 54 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 45 m .
On Sun, Oct 04 the slowest trains will take 3 h 2 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.




Trains from Manchester to Gainsborough run on average 8 times per day, taking around 1h 49m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €39 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 05:43, the last at 22:13. The fastest train covers the 60 miles (98 km) distance in 1h 42m.
Distance 60 miles (98 km) |
Average train duration 1h 49m |
Cheapest ticket price €39 |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 1h 42m |
First train 5:43 AM |
Last train 10:13 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Gainsborough — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Gainsborough trip today.
One of England's best-preserved medieval manor houses. Highlights include timber-framed rooms, royal connections, and engaging interpretation.
Local museum telling the story of nearby RAF Scampton and the Red Arrows. A specialist collection for aviation and military history fans.
Arts venue with gallery exhibitions, workshops, and community events. A good pick for contemporary local culture in the town centre.
Historic main street lined with old buildings, shops, and civic landmarks. It is the best place to absorb Gainsborough's traditional town-centre character.
Modern shopping and leisure area built on a former industrial site. Popular with locals and useful for seeing Gainsborough's regeneration story.
Pleasant riverside walking area along the Trent with open views and changing light. Ideal for a relaxed stroll and photos of the waterfront.
Lincolnshire sausages are coarse pork sausages seasoned with sage. They are a county classic and a staple in pubs, breakfasts, and butcher shops around Gainsborough.
Haslet is a traditional Lincolnshire pork loaf blended with herbs, especially sage. It is usually eaten cold in sandwiches and is a distinctive local butcher’s specialty.
Plum bread is a Lincolnshire fruit loaf made with dried fruit and spices. Locals enjoy it sliced with butter or cheese, especially at tea time.
Well-known local pub serving hearty British comfort food, Sunday roasts, and drinks in a casual historic environment.
Traditional pub and dining venue known for classic British meals in a relaxed setting beside the River Trent.
Established Italian restaurant popular for pasta, pizza, and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere in central Gainsborough.
More affordable than larger UK cities. Lodging, dining, and local transport are usually moderate, with lower tourist premiums than London or York.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up for taxis. Cafes may have tip jars, but tipping is optional.
Official public transport app
Gainsborough Lea Road -> Gainsborough Market Place, Gainsborough
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Gainsborough 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 Gainsborough, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Gainsborough trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Gainsborough Lea Road station pair, with some services arriving at Gainsborough Central. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Gainsborough 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 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.
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.
Gainsborough Lea Road has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, and Hotel.
Food and drink options are available at Gainsborough Lea Road.
Available at Gainsborough Lea Road: Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gainsborough Lea Road: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category B. Both platforms have step free access via ramps with a moderate gradient. However both ramps are 60 meters in length. Access between platforms is via a subway. This station has tactile paving at the edge of platform 2 but not at the edge of platform 1, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Taxi number displayed on useful information poster, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Gainsborough Central is 1 km from Gainsborough city centre. Public transport options include:
Gainsborough Central has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Gainsborough Central.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Gainsborough Central: Parking.
Available at Gainsborough Central: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gainsborough Central: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category B station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station Scooter Friendly Station - this station is unstaffed, access is available between platforms using a barrow crossing across the track, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Station Entrance, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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