Students! Get the Omio app and enjoy 10% off your first booking and 5% off all other trips.

How to travel from London to Manchester

Mon, Apr 28
+ Add return
QR-Code
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
rate4.9
42K ratings
Google Play
rate4.6
136K reviews

Travel Information from London to Manchester

distanceDistance162 miles (261 km)
modeAvailable travel modesTrain, bus or flight
priceTicket price range$6 - $53
cheapestCheapest modeBus • $6 (€6) • 4 h 5 min
fastestFastest modeFlight • $53 (€47) • 1 h 5 min
carriersPopular travel companiesMegabus, British Airways or Avanti West Coast

Take a train, bus or flight to travel 162 miles (261 km) from London to Manchester. The most popular travel companies which serve this trip are Megabus, British Airways or Avanti West Coast among others. Travelers can even take a direct bus, flight or train from London to Manchester.

Travel options
from London to Manchester

How to get from London to Manchester by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation
bus

The best way to travel from London to Manchester is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

FlixBusFlixBus
08:35AM4h25
London
01:00PMManchester, Shudehill Interchange
$141One-way
0 transfers
Cheapest
FlixBusFlixBus
06:35PM4h25
London
11:00PMManchester
$121One-way
0 transfers
Fastest
British AirwaysBA1382
06:45AM1h00
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
07:45AMManchester Airport (MAN)
$1601One-way
0 transfers
Other options
West Midlands TrainsC67730+Transport for WalesW18588
08:46AM3h27
London Euston (EUS)
12:13PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)
$761One-way
1 transfer
East Midlands TrainsW21408+TransPennine ExpressP12708
08:03AM3h02
London St Pancras International (STP)
11:05AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)
$2451One-way
1 transfer
Avanti West CoastC49303
09:13AM2h06
London Euston (EUS)
11:19AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)
$3101One-way
0 transfers
FlixBusFlixBus
07:00AM4h30
London
11:30AMManchester
$141One-way
0 transfers
FlixBusFlixBus
08:00AM5h00
London, Victoria Coach Station
01:00PMManchester, Shudehill Interchange
$141One-way
0 transfers
FlixBusFlixBus
09:35AM4h50
London
02:25PMManchester, Shudehill Interchange
$151One-way
0 transfers
British AirwaysBA1406
09:40PM1h00
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
10:40PMManchester Airport (MAN)
$2921One-way
0 transfers
British AirwaysBA1404
08:35PM1h00
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
09:35PMManchester Airport (MAN)
$4771One-way
0 transfers
British AirwaysBA1370
08:55AM1h05
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
10:00AMManchester Airport (MAN)
$7641One-way
0 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights

Sun
Apr 27
Mon
Apr 28
Tue
Apr 29
Wed
Apr 30
Thu
May 01
Fri
May 02
Sat
May 03
Sun
May 04
Mon
May 05
Tue
May 06
Wed
May 07
Thu
May 08
Fri
May 09
Sat
May 10
Sun
May 11
Mon
May 12
Tue
May 13
Wed
May 14
Thu
May 15
Fri
May 16
Sat
May 17

How to travel from London to Manchester?

Each year, thousands of individuals make week the trip from London to Manchester, as Manchester is home to several fun destinations such as Manchester Museum, Heaton Museum, and the renowned Old Trafford. As Manchester is home to a number of wonderful destinations, if you’ve been looking for a place you can head to for a weekend trip or even a long vacation, this city is one you should consider visiting.

If you decide to travel from London to Manchester, there are various means of transport you can travel with. These means include buses, trains, and flights. Onboard a flight, your travel time from London to Manchester will be 1h 05min. If you choose to travel via train, your London to Manchester travel time will be 2h 06min. If you prefer traveling to Manchester from London, you’ll complete the 216.9 miles (349 km) between the two cities in roughly 5h 10min.

What is the cheapest way to get from London to Manchester?

The cost of tickets from London to Manchester varies from one means of transport to another. If you’d like to travel to Manchester from London cheaply, it’s in your best interest to travel by bus, as this is the cheapest way to travel from London to Manchester. Two companies, Megabus and National Express, offer several low-cost coaches that ply the London to Manchester route.

It’s worth noting that all buses to Manchester from London usually depart the country’s capital at Victoria Coach Station. However, they have different arrival stations. If you choose to board a coach operated by Megabus, your arrival station will be Shudehill Interchange. If, on the other hand, you choose to board a coach operated by National Express, your arrival station will be Manchester Coach Station.

What is the fastest way to travel from London to Manchester?

The fastest way to travel from London to Manchester is by flight. Onboard one of the fast flights to Manchester from London, you’ll reach Manchester in just over an hour. Various airports in London have flights that fly to Manchester. They include London City Airport, Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Luton Airport, and London Stansted Airport.

In Manchester, your flight will either land at Bradford Airport or Manchester Airport. British Airways and Finnair Airlines are the air travel companies with direct flights that cover this route. Given that both offer multiple direct flights on a daily basis, it’s safe to say that you can easily find a direct flight to Manchester from London that departs at a time you’re comfortable with.

Find the best tickets from London to Manchester and book with Omio

To find cheap mobile one-way tickets and round-trip tickets, you should make a point of visiting Omio. Omio is an online booking platform that is considered by many individuals to be one of the best in the industry. If you choose to book from Omio, you’ll have access to various tickets as many travel companies have their tickets on sale on this platform. You’ll also be able to scan all the travel options available for your route at a glance. Given that its website can be translated into various languages, you can easily book your preferred ticket in your language. To get to discover more travel tips, do not hesitate to check out the Omio magazine.

London Bridge People. Source: Shutterstock

Trains from London to Manchester

Trains from London to Manchester are operated by Avanti West Coast. Owned by FirstGroup and Trenitalia, Avanti West Coast has been providing the trains from London to Manchester since its founding, on 8th December 2019. Currently, the company has quite a number of trains servicing the route daily. All these trains depart from London Euston Station to Manchester and they stop at the city’s well-known Manchester Piccadilly. As most of these trains have no changes, if you’d like to travel from London to Manchester on a direct train, you’re in luck.

Train travel from London to Manchester with Avanti West Coast

Choosing to travel in one of Avanti West Coast’s London to Manchester trains would be a wise decision. This is because, in one, you’ll be afforded a comfortable seat, remarkable food and drinks, free Wi-Fi, and onboard entertainment. As a company, Avanti West Coast aims to cater to all. Thus, it has made all of its trains accessible even to the disabled, bikers, and even pet owners. This being the case, if you’re disabled, a bike owner would like to travel with his/her bike, or a pet owner who would like to travel with his/her pet, this company has got you covered.

Buses from London to Manchester

The London to Manchester price for buses is normally low. Given that the number of people who travel to Manchester from London during the weekdays is quite high, the number of buses that serve this route during this period of the week is approximately 30. The first bus usually leaves the station at about 12:30 a.m., while the last one usually leaves the station at about 10:00 p.m. It’s essential to note that during the weekend, the number of buses plying this route usually reduces, as the number of passengers who travel from London to Manchester during this period is normally low.

Traveling by bus from London to Manchester with Megabus or National Express

Buses to London from Manchester are usually provided by Megabus and National Express. If you decide to travel on a bus operated by one of these companies, you’ll have a safe journey, as both only employ well-trained and experienced bus drivers. You’ll also have an enjoyable time as you’ll be able to view the scenic attractions found along the Manchester-London road.

Manchester Castlefield. Source: Shutterstock

Flights from London to Manchester

British Airways, Finnair Airlines, and easyJet are the airlines that have flights from London to Manchester. Both British Airways and Finnair Airlines have direct flights that serve the route everyday day of the week. easyJet, on the other hand, has plenty of one-stop flights from London to Manchester. This being the case, if you’d like to fly to Manchester from London, and you wouldn’t mind a brief layover, EasyJet has got you covered.

Flying from London to Manchester with British Airways/Finnair Airlines/easyJet

All the airlines that offer flights to Manchester from London have friendly staff. Thus, aboard one of their flights, you’re bound to be well catered to. Given that all these airlines have modern and spacious airplanes, it’s fair to state that if you’re a fan of sustainable travel and comfortability, these airlines have got you covered.

To Manchester by train/ bus/ flight—travel tips

Every year, Manchester is flocked by thousands of tourists. This is primarily because this city has several amazing destinations. If you’re a fan of the outdoors, there are plenty of destinations that are worth visiting in this city. They include Rochdale Canal, Platt Fields Park, Clifton Country Park, and Tandle Hill.

If you plan on touring this city with your kids, there are also plenty of kid-friendly destinations you can pay a visit to. They include Rock Over Climbing, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, National Football Museum, and Piccadilly Gardens. Additionally, if you love food, there are numerous superb restaurants you can dine at. Some of the notable restaurants in Manchester include Bill’s Spinningfields Restaurant and Gaucho.

How to Travel from London to Manchester

The journey from London to Manchester is convenient for travelers in the UK whether you choose to travel by bus, train or plane. Depending on the mode of transit and time of departure, journey times from London to Manchester vary between 2 and 5 hours. Key departure points in London include Victoria bus station, Euston train station, and London Heathrow airport.

Trains from London to Manchester | Buses from London to Manchester | Flights from London to Manchester

London to Manchester Travel Comparison

Average Price

Travel Time

Cheapest Time to Book

buses

€15

4:25 h

1 Month Ahead

trains

€59

2:07 h

2 Months Ahead

flight

€159

1:00 h

2 Months Ahead



What is the best way to travel from London to Manchester?

Cheapest way to travel from London to Manchester


cheap

Taking the bus is the cheapest way to travel from London to Manchester. Buses traveling from London to Manchester depart from London's Victoria bus station and take at least 4:25 h to arrive at Manchester Coach station. Approximately 30 buses travel from London to Manchester per day, with the first departing London at 12:30 a.m. Weekend buses are offered more infrequently. National Express is the main bus company that travels from London to Manchester.


Fastest way to travel from London to Manchester


fast

Taking a flight is technically the fastest way to travel from London to Manchester; however, when travel time to and from London and Manchester's airports is taken into consideration taking a train is actually the fastest way to travel between the two city centers. Flights traveling from London to Manchester can depart from either London's Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Luton, or Stansted airport and arrive at either Leeds/Bradford airport or Manchester airport after an hour of flight time. British Airways usually offers 8 direct flights per day, with the first departing London at 7:10 a.m.


Most popular way to travel from London to Manchester


popular

Taking the train is the most popular way to travel from London to Manchester. Trains traveling from London to Manchester depart from London's Euston train station and take approximately 2 hours to arrive at Manchester's Picadilly train station. All trains that travel from London to Manchester are operated by Virgin Trains. Virgin Trains travel from London to Manchester approximately 10 times per day, with the first train departing London at 8:00 a.m.


How to get from London to Manchester

The Best Way According to our Users

Whether it is for business or leisure, in order to travel from London to Manchester, 63,52% of our customers choose the train as their preferred mode of transportation. By traveling by train on this route, you can enjoy the comfort of spacious seats, spectacular views—and in some cases free Wi-Fi—in both second and first class. Our customers have decided that the train is the best way to get from London to Manchester and have chosen to enjoy this fast, safe and efficient way to arrive at their destination. Taking the train also avoids long lines or potential expenses for transfers to/from the station—especially since most main railway stations are located in the city center. Train companies in Europe vary from country to country, but most of them offer high-speed train routes, therefore when you add up at the end-to-end journey time, the train is often also the fastest way to get to your destination.

Search on Omio to find cheap tickets from London to Manchester. It’s easy to find the most attractive prices and choose your preferred route for your journey. Book on web or app, and travel with your mobile ticket —without the stress of printing your ticket.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

All travel companies: Airlines, Train and Bus from London to Manchester

You can travel by train, bus or flight for as low as $10 (€8). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best route.

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.

Virgin Trains from London to Manchester travel information:

  • Average Duration: 2 h 6 min
  • Cheapest Price: $39
  • Virgin Trains frequency: 51 a day

National Express is the leading travel company for routes throughout the United Kingdom, operating over 550 travel a day and serving over 900 destinations across the country. National Express even offers routes to and from major UK airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and Bristol 24 hours a day at affordable prices for the budget traveler in mind. All National Express travel are air-conditioned and provide free WiFi and onboard entertainment. Most travel are equipped with seat belts and power outlets in each seat, so you can charge your phone or laptop during a long journey. You can select between three ticket types for the London - Manchester travel: Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare. Refundable tickets provide more flexibility than other ticket options, meaning you can cancel or change your ticket easily, should you need to.

London to Manchester travel information with National Express:

  • Average Duration: 4 h 15 min
  • Cheapest Price: $16
  • National Express frequency: 1 a day

British Airways (BA) is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom with its headquarters in London near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Known as a full-service global airline, BA offers low fares year-round to destinations around the globe and flies to and from centrally-located airports. Its extensive global route network includes more than 170 destinations in nearly 80 countries throughout Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Australia. BA is also the second largest airline based in the UK in terms of its fleet size and number of passengers carried.

London to Manchester travel information with British Airways:

  • Average Duration: 1 h
  • Cheapest Price: $61

FAQs: Travel from London to Manchester

FAQs: 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 London to Manchester.
FAQs
HomeTravelTravel to United KingdomTravel to ManchesterHow to travel from London to Manchester

The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.

ios-badge
android-badge
Hand With Phone
More routes, destinations and providers
Currency
Language

Useful links