Watford to Manchester train with Avanti West Coast

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The cheapest and fastest trains from Watford to Manchester

Showing times and prices for Jun 14

Cheapest price

$86

Average price

$108

Fastest journey

2 h 27 m

Average duration

2 h 29 m

Trains per day

Distance

238 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Watford to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Watford to Manchester will cost around $108 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $86.

Fast trains

It's difficult to get from Watford to Manchester without transferring at least once.

L34553+

W09654

12:30PM2h35

Watford Junction (WFJ)

03:05PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)

$861One-way

1 transfer

G17863+

L34545+

W09654

11:43AM3h22

Watford High Street (WFH)

03:05PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)

$861One-way

2 transfers

L34531+

W09649

10:56AM3h09

Bushey (BSH)

02:05PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)

$941One-way

1 transfer

G17857+

L33571+

W09649

11:28AM2h37

Watford High Street (WFH)

02:05PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)

$941One-way

2 transfers

L33571+

W09649

11:38AM2h27

Watford Junction (WFJ)

02:05PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)

$941One-way

1 transfer

Travel Information

Compare train and flight for Watford to Manchester

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Watford to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €40. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 16m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg.

Compare train with

Most popular Train	Flight
€113 Average price Cheapest	€138 Average price
3h 33m Average duration 3h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	4h 16m Average duration Fastest 1h 16m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time*
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest	0.7 - 1.4kg CO2 emissions
Direct Options	Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Watford to Manchester train times

Showing trains for tomorrow, Saturday, June 14

Last updated at 10:34 PM

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Transfers
G17561+L34500+W09633	On time 7:18 AM Watford High Street (WFH)	2h47	10:05 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	2 transfers
L34500+W09633	On time 7:26 AM Bushey (BSH)	2h39	10:05 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	1 transfer
L33537+W09633	On time 7:38 AM Watford Junction (WFJ)	2h27	10:05 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	1 transfer
L34513+W09639	On time 8:26 AM Bushey (BSH)	2h39	11:05 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	1 transfer
G17810+L33547+W09639	On time 8:28 AM Watford High Street (WFH)	2h37	11:05 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	2 transfers
L33547+W09639	On time 8:38 AM Watford Junction (WFJ)	2h27	11:05 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	1 transfer
L34525+W09644	On time 9:26 AM Bushey (BSH)	2h39	12:05 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	1 transfer
G17833+L33559+W09644	On time 9:28 AM Watford High Street (WFH)	2h37	12:05 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	2 transfers
L33559+W09644	On time 9:38 AM Watford Junction (WFJ)	2h27	12:05 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	1 transfer
L34531+W09649	On time 9:56 AM Bushey (BSH)	3h09	1:05 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	1 transfer
G17857+L33571+W09649	On time 10:28 AM Watford High Street (WFH)	2h37	1:05 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	2 transfers
L33571+W09649	On time 10:38 AM Watford Junction (WFJ)	2h27	1:05 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	1 transfer
G17863+L34545+W09654	On time 10:43 AM Watford High Street (WFH)	3h22	2:05 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	2 transfers
L34553+W09654	On time 11:30 AM Watford Junction (WFJ)	2h35	2:05 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	1 transfer
This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Watford to Manchester by train or flight

Sat
Jun 14

Sun
Jun 15

Mon
Jun 16

Tue
Jun 17

Wed
Jun 18

Thu
Jun 19

Fri
Jun 20

How far in advance should I book train tickets from Watford to Manchester?

The best time to book your train from Watford to Manchester is 56 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Watford to Manchester route.

Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Watford to Manchester per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Watford to Manchester.

Trains

from $72

Journey information

Overview: Train from Watford to Manchester

United Kingdom

Trains from Watford to Manchester run on average 14 times per day, taking around 3h 3m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $48 (€40) if you book in advance.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.

Price information

Distance

147 miles (238 km)

Average train duration

3h 3m

Cheapest ticket price

$48 (€40)

Trains per day

Fastest train

2h 25m

First train

05:14

Last train

19:30

Price information

Train providers: Virgin Trains, CrossCountry and West Midlands Trains from Watford to Manchester trains

Travel from Watford to Manchester from $52 (€42) with Omio’s train partners Virgin Trains, CrossCountry and West Midlands Trains! You can find the best schedules and tickets when comparing and booking the most popular journey for you.

Avanti West Coast is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates high-speed trains between London and major cities in the UK, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The company offers a range of ticket types, including Standard, First Class and Advance tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drinks. The most popular routes for Avanti West Coast are London to Birmingham, London to Manchester and London to Glasgow. The company operates a fleet of Pendolino and Super Voyager trains, which offer a smooth and comfortable journey.

Train information from Watford to Manchester with Virgin Trains:

Average Duration: 2 h 14 min
Cheapest Price: $52
Virgin Trains frequency: 3 a day

Cross Country trains are a UK-based train operator that provides services across the country including trains between Watford and Manchester. They offer a range of services, from express services to local services, and have a variety of ticket types to suit different needs. Their express services, such as the CrossCountry Voyager and CrossCountry XC Trains, offer a fast and comfortable journey, with onboard facilities such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a selection of snacks and drinks. Their local services, such as the CrossCountry Regional and CrossCountry Regional Express, provide a more leisurely journey, with stops at smaller stations along the way. They also offer a range of ticket types, such as Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak tickets, to suit different budgets and travel needs. The most popular routes for Cross Country trains include London to Birmingham, Manchester to Edinburgh, and Bristol to Reading.

West Midlands Trains is a train operator based in the United Kingdom, providing services across the West Midlands region. It operates a variety of train types, including the Class 350 Desiro, Class 323 Electrostar, Class 170 Turbostar, and Class 172 Turbostar. These trains offer a range of onboard facilities, such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and air conditioning. Passengers can purchase a range of tickets, including single, return, and season tickets. The most popular routes operated by West Midlands Trains include Birmingham to London Euston, Birmingham to Wolverhampton, and Birmingham to Coventry.

Train information from Watford to Manchester with West Midlands Trains:

Average Duration: 4 h 20 min
Cheapest Price: $52

FAQs: Trains from Watford to Manchester

FAQs: Travel by train from Watford to Manchester easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Watford to Manchester.

Cheap train tickets from Watford to Manchester can start from as little as $16 (€13) when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Watford to Manchester is $143 (€116); however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.

On average the Watford to Manchester train travel time is 2 h 17 min for the 148 mile (238 km) long trip, but the duration can vary if you travel on weekends and holidays.

The first train from Watford to Manchester leaves at 4: 07 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.

The last train from Watford to Manchester leaves at 10: 32 PM.

There are 16 trains a day from Watford to Manchester which require at least one change with Avanti West Coast or West Midlands Trains. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer trains.

When taking a train from Watford to Manchester, you can count on Avanti West Coast or West Midlands Trains for the best way to get you to Manchester. You can also check all possible train companies who offer a service to Manchester from Watford and compare the amenities they offer before buying a train ticket.

No, there are no night trains, the latest train for this route is 10: 32 PM.

Passengers board the train most frequently from Watford Junction, which is located around 1.1 miles (1.7 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Manchester Piccadilly, located 0.5 miles (767 m) away from the city centre.

A trip to Manchester from Watford is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 2 h 17 min each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.

The cheapest month to travel from Watford to Manchester by train is February.

You have options as you can travel to Manchester from Watford 3 different ways: train, flight or bus.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from Watford to Manchester

Watford

Manchester

The major train station for departures in Watford is Watford Junction. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Watford Junction for your trip from Watford to Manchester.

Watford Junction Shopping

Amenities at train station

Shopping

Parking

Dining

ATM

Accessibility

Hotel

Lounge

Lost and Found Office

Ticket Office

Bike Parking

Bike Rental

Information Desk

information

Address

Watford Junction station, Station Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 1EU

Phone Number

+44 3301235247

Ticket Office Hours

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:30 - 23:00 Saturday 05:30 - 23:00 Sunday 06:30 - 22:30 Booking Office and Travel Centre

Parking

Car Park: Station Car Park

Accessibility

Staff help available: Yes
Step free access coverage: Yes
Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station
Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are accessible on platform 6
Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available
Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
Accessible ticket machines note: Ticket Vending Machines are located in the Booking Hall.
Accessible toilets: Yes
Ramp for train access: Yes
Wheelchairs available: Yes
Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes

Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 6. The toilet facilities are available: Monday - Sunday 04:00-23:00. The National key toilets are located on the Main Concourse; these toilets are operated by a RADAR key. A RADAR key is available from station staff upon request. The National key toilet facilities are available: Monday - Saturday 04:00-14:00 and Sunday 06:00-14:00.
National key toilets: Yes
Baby changing facilities: Yes
Baby changing facilities location: Female toilets

Bike Parking

Storage sheltered: No
Storage location: Station forecourt
Storage CCTV: Yes

Information Desk

Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office
Helpline Contact: 0800 0248 997
Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements

Public transit options for Watford Junction

Location for Rail Replacement Services: In the event of engineering the bus/coach will collect from bay 1 of the bus station at the side of the railway station.