- Must visit
Harborough Museum
Main local museum covering Market Harborough’s story, Roman finds, and the Hallaton Treasure. A strong starting point for understanding the area.
Cheapest price
$37
Average price
$49
Fastest journey
2 h 42 m
Average duration
2 h 42 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
142 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Market Harborough is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Market Harborough will cost around $49 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $37.
Of the 2 trains that leave Manchester for Market Harborough on Thu, Aug 06, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Aug 06 the direct trains cover the 142 km distance in an average of 2 h 42 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 42 m .
On Thu, Aug 06 the slowest trains will take 2 h 42 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 Market Harborough among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $12. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 2m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $12, and a train costs an average of $37.
Distance: 88 miles (142 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$45 Average price | $12 Average price Cheapest | $38 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 32m Average total duration Fastest 2h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 5m Average total duration 3h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 34m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Market Harborough:
A bus is $33 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Market Harborough costing on average $45.
Other travel options to Market Harborough take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 35m.
You'll arrive about 32m sooner (2h 2m by train vs 2h 34m by car). Tickets start at around $45 compared to roughly $38 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.
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 Market Harborough run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 2m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $37 but you can travel from only $12 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 05:04, the last at 22:57. The fastest train covers the 88 miles (142 km) distance in 2h 42m.
Distance 88 miles (142 km) |
Average train duration 2h 2m |
Cheapest ticket price $37 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 2h 42m |
First train 5:04 AM |
Last train 10:57 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Market Harborough — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Market Harborough trip today.
Main local museum covering Market Harborough’s story, Roman finds, and the Hallaton Treasure. A strong starting point for understanding the area.
Remarkable 1614 building above the old market, interpreted as part of the museum service. Visit for architecture and a compact slice of town history.
Volunteer-run canal museum at Foxton Locks with exhibits on the inclined plane and waterways life. Ideal for industrial heritage and family visits.
Leafy Victorian park with play areas, lawns, and events. It is a popular local green space for relaxing, families, and short walks near the centre.
Scenic flight of canal locks with towpaths, boats, and broad countryside views. One of the area’s best walking spots and a classic local day out.
Lively main shopping street lined with historic buildings and independent businesses. Best for strolling, local atmosphere, and seeing the town at its busiest.
A hand-raised pork pie linked to nearby Melton Mowbray. It is a regional classic in Leicestershire and a staple at pubs, markets, and picnics.
Red Leicester is a crumbly, nutty cheese long associated with Leicestershire. It is a classic county product often served on ploughman’s lunches.
Stilton-style blue cheese is widely eaten across the East Midlands. Rich, creamy, and pungent, it is popular on cheeseboards and in winter dishes.
Popular independent Italian restaurant serving pasta, pizza, and classic mains in a lively, friendly atmosphere.
Well-regarded modern British venue with refined seasonal cooking and a more polished dining experience than a standard pub.
Established town-centre pub and kitchen known for steaks, grills, and Sunday roasts in a smart but relaxed setting.
Moderate for the UK: hotels and dining are mid-priced, buses are affordable, and costs are lower than London but similar to other market towns.
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Cafes: rounding up is optional. Taxis: round up or add about 10% for good service.
Official public transport app
Market Harborough Railway Station -> Market Harborough Town Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Market Harborough 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 Market Harborough, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Market Harborough trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Market Harborough station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Market Harborough 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.
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.
Market Harborough has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Market Harborough.
Ticket office support is available at Market Harborough.
Available at Market Harborough: Parking, WC.
Available at Market Harborough: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Market Harborough: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station. Step free access is available to both platforms, via the ticket office for platform 1 or the new car park for platform 2. Please check which platform your train is due to depart from before arriving at the station. Services to the north, including Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Derby normally depart from platform 1. Services to London and stations south of Market Harborough normally depart from platform 2. If you do need assistance to change platforms, we're happy to help. Please speak to a member of staff or use a Help Point in the station. This station has tactile paving at the edge of each platform, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, 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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