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Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cardiff to Manchester
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €16. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 27m. 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 €16, and a train costs an average of €47.
Distance: 143 miles (231 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train |
|---|---|
€30 Average price Cheapest | €75 Average price |
6h 9m Average total duration 5h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 57m Average total duration Fastest 3h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Travel optionsfrom Cardiff to Manchester
How to get from Cardiff to Manchester by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cardiff to Manchester is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus · FlixBusCheapest
FlixBus · FlixBusFastest
L64814Other options
C74968 · C74905C74972 · C72325C75006 · C74910FlixBus · FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBusFind all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Cardiff to Manchester
Travel 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 Cardiff to Manchester.
There are 2 travel options from Cardiff to Manchester: train or bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Cardiff to Manchester is a bus with an average price of $14 (€12).
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Manchester:
Taking a bus costs $22 (€20) less than taking a train, which average ticket prices of $36 (€32).
The fastest way from Cardiff to Manchester is by train with an average journey time of 3 h 19 min.
There are alternative travel options to Manchester that take longer:
Bus takes 5 h 5 min on average.
The distance from Cardiff to Manchester is approximately 143 miles (231 km).
The average frequency per day from Cardiff to Manchester is:
- 24 buses a day.
- 7 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your trip from Cardiff to Manchester as scheduled services by train or bus can vary by season or day of the week.
These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Cardiff to Manchester:
- Buses most often depart from Cardiff at Cardiff, University and arrive in Manchester at Manchester, Shudehill Interchange.
- Trains mostly depart from Cardiff Central and arrive in Manchester Piccadilly.
Omio works with many trusted partners that can help you travel the best way from Cardiff to Manchester:
- You can go to Manchester from Cardiff by bus with Megabus, National Express or FlixBus. You'll see cheap bus tickets for $14 (€12) with FlixBus from Cardiff to Manchester on Omio.
- You can travel to Manchester from Cardiff by train with Transport for Wales, CrossCountry or Cross Country. You can find cheap tickets on Omio for $36 (€32) with Transport for Wales from Cardiff to Manchester.
Yes, there are direct services available from Cardiff to Manchester with the following travel companies:
- Direct buses with Megabus with 8 direct buses per day.
- Direct trains with Transport for Wales with 3 direct trains per day.
Direct services tend to save you time and add more convenience in getting you to Manchester as you won't need to transfer at another stop in between, so it's worth paying attention to before booking your tickets from Cardiff to Manchester.
Travelling from Cardiff to Manchester: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Travel to popular destinations by train, bus or flight
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