- Must visit
Down House
Charles Darwin's former home, where he wrote major works. House, collections, and gardens make it Orpington's standout museum visit.
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Take a train from Manchester to Orpington and enjoy the approximately 175 miles (283 km) long journey. Find schedules and pricing options for a convenient and affordable trip.
The earliest train runs at 04:32, the last at 21:20.
Distance 175 miles (283 km) |
Average train duration 2h 49m |
Trains per day 5 |
First train 4:32 AM |
Last train 9:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Orpington — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Orpington trip today.
Charles Darwin's former home, where he wrote major works. House, collections, and gardens make it Orpington's standout museum visit.
Local history displays inside a Tudor priory, covering Orpington's past with changing exhibitions in a characterful heritage setting.
Small volunteer-run museum dedicated to the area's wartime RAF history, aircraft records, and life on the former airfield.
National nature reserve of chalk grassland and woodland, famed for orchids, wildlife, and rewarding countryside walks.
Popular public park with gardens, lakes, play areas, and the Priory. A central green space for walks and family visits.
Quiet village associated with Charles Darwin, attractive for heritage walks, rural lanes, and access to Down House.
A classic English breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, mushrooms and toast. A hearty staple in Greater London and a common local weekend meal.
Battered white fish with chips, often served with mushy peas and tartare sauce. A long-standing British takeaway favourite widely eaten in Orpington.
Sausages served with mashed potatoes and onion gravy. A comforting British pub dish popular across southeast England.
Established gastropub in Locksbottom known for refined British cooking, steaks and a polished but comfortable dining room.
Well-known traditional pub in Farnborough Village serving British classics, Sunday roasts and cask ales in a historic, relaxed setting.
Popular local Italian restaurant serving pasta, pizza and seafood dishes in a friendly neighbourhood atmosphere.
Moderate for Greater London. Dining and coffee are typical suburban London prices, while local transit is manageable; accommodation nearby is often pricier than smaller UK 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
Orpington Station -> Charing Cross, London
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Orpington 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 Orpington, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Orpington trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Orpington station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Orpington 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 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.
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.
Orpington has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Orpington.
ATMs are available at Orpington.
Ticket office support is available at Orpington. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0345 322 7021 or Text relay 18001 0345 322 7021 Freephone 0800 783 4524 or Text Relay 18001 0800 783 4524, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Orpington: Parking, WC.
Available at Orpington: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Orpington: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A. This station has step free access to all platforms - Access to all platforms and interchange via lifts and stairs, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not wheelchair accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available to book, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: station forecourt, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Assistance/Help available from station staff from First to Last trains, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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