- Must visit
Verulamium Museum
Award-winning museum on Roman Verulamium with mosaics, wall plaster, and everyday finds. Essential for understanding ancient St Albans.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to St Albans is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to St Albans will cost around €95 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €50.
It's difficult to get from Manchester to St Albans without transferring at least 2 times.
W34228+
Y80895 · W11166
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C04363 · C21692 · C04264+
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C04365 · W70816+
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Y80895 · W11166
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C21666+
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C04363 · C21692 · C04264+
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Trains from Manchester to St Albans run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 53m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €51 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 00:15, the last at 22:27. The fastest train covers the 143 miles (231 km) distance in 2h 17m.
Plan this route
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Manchester to St Albans.
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to St Albans trains for today, Tuesday, November 3. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W84712+ W70826 · C21669 · C04278 | On time 5:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 4h14 | 9:27 PM St Albans City (SAC) | 4 transfers | |
W84712+ W70826+ W45572 | On time 5:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h58 | 9:11 PM St Albans City (SAC) | 2 transfers | |
W34020+ Tube from London Euston to London St Pancras International+ W45496+ P24201 | Delayed 6:24 PM 5:17 PMDeansgate (DGT) | 4h07 | 9:24 PM St Albans City (SAC) | 3 transfers | |
C21806 · C21674+ W45531 | On time 5:43 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 4h28 | 10:11 PM St Albans City (SAC) | 2 transfers | |
W84719+ W70832+ W32983 | On time 6:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 4h11 | 10:24 PM St Albans City (SAC) | 2 transfers |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Trains from Manchester to St Albans with Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, and Transpennine Express. High-speed trains available on this route with Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, and Transpennine Express. Regional trains available on this route with East Midlands Railway. Use the details below to compare onboard facilities.
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of St Albans — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect St Albans trip today.
Award-winning museum on Roman Verulamium with mosaics, wall plaster, and everyday finds. Essential for understanding ancient St Albans.
Museum and gallery in the old town hall with local history, changing art shows, and the rebuilt Assembly Room. A strong introduction to the city.
Small museum telling the story of Alban, Britain's first saint, inside the cathedral precinct. Compact but meaningful for the city's identity.
Large central park covering the Roman city site, with lakes, green space, and ruins. Ideal for walks, picnics, and combining history with nature.
Historic market street lined with timber-framed buildings, shops, and regular markets. One of the best places to feel the city's character.
Picturesque old street beside the cathedral with medieval atmosphere and independent businesses. A favourite area for photos and short strolls.
A mustard-laced sausage linked to nearby Hertfordshire. It is a regional pub classic, often served with mash and gravy.
Traditional English ale brewed with heritage methods. St Albans is known for strong pub culture and local cask beer appreciation.
A classic Sunday roast of beef, potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy, widely enjoyed in historic St Albans pubs.
Elegant Michelin-starred dining with refined British tasting menus in a polished, intimate setting near the city centre.
Well-regarded sustainable restaurant serving modern British dishes and seafood in a relaxed brasserie atmosphere.
Historic pub near the cathedral known for cask ales, hearty British classics and a characterful traditional interior.
Moderate for England: hotels often cost more than smaller towns, but dining and local transit are typical for the South East.
Restaurants may add a 10-12.5% service charge; if not, round up or tip about 10% for good service. Taxis are often rounded up. Cafe tipping is optional.
Official public transport app
St Albans City -> St Peter's Street, St Albans
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in St Albans.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to St Albans 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 St Albans, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to St Albans trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to St Albans City station pair, with some services arriving at St Albans Abbey. Use this guide to compare Manchester and St Albans 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.
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.
St Albans City has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at St Albans City.
Wi-Fi is available at St Albans City. ATMs are available at St Albans City.
Ticket office support is available at St Albans City.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at St Albans City: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at St Albans City: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at St Albans City: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to the platform. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
St Albans Abbey has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Bike Parking, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at St Albans Abbey.
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0800 0248 997, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at St Albans Abbey: Parking.
Available at St Albans Abbey: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at St Albans Abbey: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are not available, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: A Ticket Vending Machine is located on Platform One, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Check train stations information for Manchester and St Albans, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.