- Must visit
Science and Industry Museum
Leading museum of science, industry, transport, and computing on a historic railway site. Essential for understanding Manchester's global impact.
Cheapest price on Sep 19
€124
Average ticket price on Sep 19
€124
Fastest journey on Sep 19
5 h 40 m
Average journey duration on Sep 19
6 h 30 m
Trains on Sep 19
6
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 €124 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €124.
It's difficult to get from St Albans to Manchester without transferring at least 2 times.
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W70941 · C04445Omio 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 train, with an average ticket price of €129 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 49m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €129, while a flight costs an average of €316.
Distance: 143 miles (231 km)
Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|
€129 Average price Cheapest | €316 Average price |
3h 49m Average total duration Fastest 3h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 49m Average total duration 1h 49m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
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 train is €187 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from St Albans to Manchester costing on average €316.
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 19m.
The table below shows live departures for St Albans to Manchester trains for today, Friday, September 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:55 PM St Albans | 4h14 | 11:09 PM Manchester | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, September 19 | |||||
W45512+ W70941 · C04445 | On time 1:55 AM St Albans City (SAC) | 7h40 | 9:35 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 transfers | |
W45512+ W70941 · C04445 | On time 1:55 AM St Albans City (SAC) | 7h44 | 9:39 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 2 transfers | |
W45519+ W70941 · C04445 | On time 2:55 AM St Albans City (SAC) | 6h44 | 9:39 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 2 transfers | |
W45519+ W70941 · C04445 | On time 2:55 AM St Albans City (SAC) | 6h40 | 9:35 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 transfers | |
W45516+ W70941 · C04445 | On time 3:55 AM St Albans City (SAC) | 5h44 | 9:39 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 2 transfers | |
W45516+ W70941 · C04445 | On time 3:55 AM St Albans City (SAC) | 5h40 | 9:35 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and flight 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 5 times per day, taking around 3h 19m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €71 but you can travel from only €64 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 00:04, the last at 22:15. The fastest train covers the 143 miles (231 km) distance in 2h 34m.
Distance 143 miles (231 km) |
Average train duration 3h 19m |
Cheapest ticket price €71 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 2h 34m |
First train 12:04 AM |
Last train 10:15 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Manchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Manchester trip today.
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Moderate for the UK: hotels often cost less than London, while dining and transit are manageable for tourists with many mid-range options.
Service may be included. If not, 10-12.5% in restaurants is common for good service. Round up or add a little for taxis. Cafe tipping is optional.
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.

Most St Albans to Manchester trains use the St Albans City to Manchester Piccadilly station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester Oxford Road. Use this guide to compare St Albans and Manchester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
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.
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.
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