- Recommended
Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum
Local heritage museum in Victoria Park covering Widnes industry, communities, and everyday life through compact displays and artefacts.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Widnes among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of €10 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 2m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €10, while a train costs an average of €10.
Distance: 21 miles (35 km)
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
€10 Average price Cheapest | €8 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 2m Average total duration Fastest 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 44m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
You'll arrive about 12m sooner (32m by train vs 44m by car). Tickets start at around €10 compared to roughly €8 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 Widnes trains for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C04457 | On time 1:41 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0h25 | 2:06 PM Widnes station (WID) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P24207 · L88784 | On time 1:46 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 1h06 | 2:52 PM Widnes station (WID) | 1 transfer | |
W84685+ L88784 | On time 2:11 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0h41 | 2:52 PM Widnes station (WID) | 1 transfer | |
C04459 | Delayed 2:01 PM 2:41 PMManchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0h25 | 2:24 PM 2:24 PMWidnes station (WID) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P24210 · G86286 | On time 2:46 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 1h06 | 3:52 PM Widnes station (WID) | 1 transfer | |
W84691+ G86286 | On time 3:11 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0h41 | 3:52 PM Widnes station (WID) | 1 transfer | |
C04462 | On time 3:41 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0h25 | 4:06 PM Widnes station (WID) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P24211 · G86288 | On time 3:46 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 1h06 | 4:52 PM Widnes station (WID) | 1 transfer | |
W84698+ G86288 | On time 4:11 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0h41 | 4:52 PM Widnes station (WID) | 1 transfer | |
C04464 | On time 4:41 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0h25 | 5:06 PM Widnes station (WID) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P24188 · G86290 | On time 4:46 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 1h06 | 5:52 PM Widnes station (WID) | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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Trains from Manchester to Widnes run on average 6 times per day, taking around 32m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €4 if you book in advance.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:03, the last at 23:30. The fastest train covers the 21 miles (35 km) distance in 25m.
Distance 21 miles (35 km) |
Average train duration 32m |
Cheapest ticket price €4 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 25m |
First train 12:03 AM |
Last train 11:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of Widnes — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Widnes trip today.
Local heritage museum in Victoria Park covering Widnes industry, communities, and everyday life through compact displays and artefacts.
Science and heritage centre with hands-on exhibits and a rooftop gallery, explaining the chemical industry that shaped Widnes and the Mersey region.
Museum and gallery in Liverpool’s waterfront area, practical for a short trip from Widnes and strong on regional social and urban history.
Large country park on former industrial land, now known for lakes, wetlands, birdlife, and easy walking routes with broad views.
Main town park with formal gardens, play areas, memorials, and event space, ideal for a relaxed walk close to central Widnes.
Waterside path and open space beside the Mersey and ship canal, popular for walking, cycling, and viewing local bridges and industry.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Widnes 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 Widnes, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Widnes trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Widnes station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Widnes 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.
Widnes is 1 km from Widnes city centre. Public transport options include:
Widnes has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Widnes.
Ticket office support is available at Widnes.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Widnes: Parking.
Available at Widnes: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Widnes: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category B station, Step free access to Liverpool platform from station front. Separate ramp access from road bridge to Manchester 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, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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