- Must visit
Science and Industry Museum
Major museum exploring Manchester’s role in science, technology and industry, with historic machinery and railway heritage on the oldest surviving passenger railway station site.
Cheapest price
$83
Average price
$114
Fastest journey
3 h 24 m
Average duration
3 h 24 m
Trains per day
15
Distance
231 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from St Albans to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from St Albans to Manchester will cost around $114 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $83.
It's difficult to get from St Albans to Manchester without transferring at least 2 times.
W11144+
W33045+
V93331
W11138 · W70365+
W33299
W11144 · W70379+
W33146
W11132 · W70351+
W33119
W11126 · W70337+
W33054
W11120 · W70323+
W33189
W11132 · W70351+
W33119
W11126 · W70337+
W33054
W11114 · W70309+
W33166
W11138 · W70365+
W33299Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from St Albans to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $57. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 50m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $57, and a flight costs an average of $150.
Distance: 143 miles (231 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$134 Average price | $65 Average price Cheapest | $240 Average price |
3h 28m Average total duration 2h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 33m Average total duration 5h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 50m Average total duration Fastest 1h 50m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from St Albans to Manchester:
A bus is $69 (€57) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from St Albans to Manchester costing on average $134 (€110).
A bus is $175 (€143) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from St Albans to Manchester costing on average $240 (€196).
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 58m.
Bus takes on average 5h 3m.
The table below shows live departures for St Albans to Manchester trains for today, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:41 AM St Albans | 3h24 | 11:05 AM Manchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:41 AM St Albans | 4h24 | 1:05 PM Manchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:08 AM St Albans | 3h37 | 12:45 PM Manchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, flight, 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 St Albans to Manchester run on average 4 times per day, taking around 2h 58m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $86 (€71) but you can travel from only $57 (€47) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:04, the last at 22:15. The fastest train covers the 143 miles (231 km) distance in 3h 17m.
Distance 143 miles (231 km) |
Average train duration 2h 58m |
Cheapest ticket price $86 (€71) |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 3h 17m |
First train 12:04 AM |
Last train 10:15 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of Manchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Manchester trip today.
Major museum exploring Manchester’s role in science, technology and industry, with historic machinery and railway heritage on the oldest surviving passenger railway station site.
University museum with acclaimed natural history, archaeology and cultural collections, recently refreshed and especially popular for its dinosaur and ancient Egypt displays.
Central city gallery with fine art, design and decorative arts collections, plus changing exhibitions in a landmark civic building.
Manchester’s best-known creative district, packed with street art, independent shops and photogenic corners that are highly popular online.
Canalside heritage area with Roman roots, warehouses, waterside walks and one of the city’s most atmospheric urban landscapes.
Historic civic square framed by major Victorian architecture and often used for events, making it a classic city-centre stop.
A classic Manchester dessert with shortcrust pastry, raspberry jam, custard, coconut, and a cherry. It is one of the city’s best-known traditional sweet dishes.
A flaky pastry filled with currants, sugar, and butter, originating from Eccles in Greater Manchester. It is a famous regional bake often eaten with tea.
A traditional blood sausage strongly associated with nearby Bury and widely eaten in Manchester, especially as part of a full breakfast.
A stylish and widely loved restaurant inspired by Bombay cafés, known for rich curries, grilled dishes, and a distinctive heritage interior.
A popular casual venue pairing Indian street food with craft beer. It is lively, well-known, and especially good for vegetarian diners.
A celebrated fine-dining restaurant in Manchester known for modern British cooking, polished service, and an elegant setting inside The Midland hotel.
Moderate by UK standards. Budget eats are easy to find, but central hotels and nightlife can be pricey.
Service is often included in restaurants. If not, tip 10-12.5% for good service. Round up in taxis. Tipping is not expected for counter service, but small tips are appreciated.
Official public transport app
Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester -> Manchester City Centre, Manchester
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from St Albans to Manchester 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 Manchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need