How to travel from Manchester to London

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Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for Manchester to London

Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Manchester to London among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $21 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 9m. 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 bus costs an average of $21, while a flight costs an average of $318.

Distance: 162 miles (262 km)

Compare flight with

Most popular
Flight
Train
Bus
Driving

$318

Average price

$83

Average price

$21

Average price

Cheapest

$101

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 58m

Average total duration

1h 58m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

3h 9m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 39m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 26m

Average total duration

4h 56m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 11m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.8 - 1.6kg

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.3 - 0.7kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

British Airways

Most popular airline

Avanti West Coast

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

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

The cheapest way to travel from Manchester to London is a bus with an average price of $21 (€17).

This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to London:

A bus is $62 (€52) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to London costing on average $83 (€69).

A bus is $297 (€246) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to London costing on average $318 (€263).

The fastest way to travel from Manchester to London is by train with an average journey time of 3h 9m.

Other travel options to London take longer:

Flight takes on average 3h 58m.

Bus takes on average 5h 26m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Manchester and London including taking a train, bus, and flight.
We recommend using the flight as it is the most popular way to get from Manchester to London among Omio's users.
Take the flight. It's the quicker way to make this trip, and the time saved usually justifies the slightly higher cost.

You'll arrive about 2h 13m sooner (1h 58m by flight vs 4h 11m by car). Tickets start at around $318 (€263) compared to roughly $101 (€83) in fuel and tolls — a bit more, but you get time back and avoid a long drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group, want flexibility on timing, or plan to stop en route.

Travel options
from Manchester to London

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

Our recommendation

bus

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

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    3:30 PM4h55
    Manchester, Shudehill Interchange
    8:25 PMLondon, Finchley Road ("Subway" restaurant)
    $141One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    3:30 PM4h55
    Manchester, Shudehill Interchange
    8:25 PMLondon, Finchley Road ("Subway" restaurant)
    $141One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Avanti West CoastW34218
    7:00 AM1h59
    Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
    8:59 AMLondon Euston (EUS)
    $2901One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • West Midlands TrainsC17837+Northern RailL89647
    9:06 AM3h18
    Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
    12:24 PMLondon Euston (EUS)
    $451One-way
    1 transfer
  • West Midlands TrainsC17806+Northern RailL89663
    11:06 AM3h18
    Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
    2:24 PMLondon Euston (EUS)
    $451One-way
    1 transfer
  • West Midlands TrainsC18016+Northern RailL89670
    12:06 PM3h18
    Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
    3:24 PMLondon Euston (EUS)
    $451One-way
    1 transfer
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    3:30 PM5h30
    Manchester, Shudehill Interchange
    9:00 PMLondon, Victoria Coach Station
    $141One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    6:20 AM3h50
    Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East
    10:10 AMLondon, Finchley Road ("Subway" restaurant)
    $141One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    9:00 AM4h00
    Manchester, Shudehill Interchange
    1:00 PMLondon, Finchley Road ("Subway" restaurant)
    $141One-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

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How to Travel from Manchester to London

Thousands of people travel in the UK between Manchester and London every week, both for professional and personal trips. There are a number of travel options available to customers: flights are fast but expensive, trains are reliable and frequent, and buses are cheap but sluggish.

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

Manchester to London Travel Comparison

Average Price

Travel Time

Cheapest Time to Book

buses

€7

3:50 h

1 Week Ahead

trains

€51

2:08 h

1 Month Ahead

flight

€67

1:00 h

2 Weeks Ahead



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

Cheapest way to travel from Manchester to London


cheap

Taking the bus is the cheapest way to travel from Manchester to London. Buses traveling from Manchester to London depart from Manchester Coach station and take at least 3:50 h to arrive at London's Victoria bus station. Over 20 buses travel from Manchester to London during the week, with the first departing at 5:40 a.m. Weekend buses are offered more infrequently. National Express is the main bus company that travels from Manchester to London.


Fastest way to travel from Manchester to London


fast

Taking a flight is the fastest way to travel from Manchester to London. Flights traveling from Manchester to London can depart from either Leeds/Bradford airport or Manchester airport and arrive at either London's Heathrow, Gatwick, City, or Stansted airport after an hour of flight time. British Airways travel directly from Manchester to London.


Most popular way to travel from Manchester to London


popular

Taking the train is the most popular way to travel from Manchester to London. Trains traveling from Manchester to London depart from Manchester's Picadilly train station and arrive at London's Euston train station after approximately 2 hours of travel time. All trains that travel from Manchester to London are operated by Virgin Trains. Virgin Trains travel from Manchester to London approximately 10 times per day.


How to get from Manchester to London

The Best Way According to our Users

Whether it is for business or leisure, in order to travel from Manchester to London, 61,32% 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 Manchester to London 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 Manchester to London. 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

FAQs: Travel from Manchester to London

Travel to London 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 Manchester to London.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Manchester and London including taking a train, bus, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Manchester to London is a bus with an average price of $21 (€17).

This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to London:

A bus is $62 (€52) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to London costing on average $83 (€69).

A bus is $297 (€246) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to London costing on average $318 (€263).

The fastest way to travel from Manchester to London is by train with an average journey time of 3h 9m.

Other travel options to London take longer:

Flight takes on average 3h 58m.

Bus takes on average 5h 26m.

The distance from Manchester to London is approximately 162 miles (262 km).
The average frequency per day from Manchester to London is:
  • Around 73 buses per day.
  • Around 50 trains per day.
  • Around 14 flights per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Manchester and London as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Manchester to London:
  • Flights mostly depart from Manchester Airport and arrive in London Heathrow Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) and arrive in London Euston (EUS).
  • Buses mostly depart from Manchester, Coach Station and arrive in London, Victoria Coach Station.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Manchester to London, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Megabus, National Express, FlixBus to go to London by bus.
  • Travel with Loganair, BA Cityflyer, British Airways to go to London by flight.
  • Travel with Northern Rail, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, London North Eastern Railway, Lumo, West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast to go to London by train.
Yes, there are direct services available from Manchester to London with the following travel companies:
  • 69 direct buses per day with Megabus, National Express, FlixBus.
  • 7 direct flights per day with British Airways.
  • 34 direct trains per day with Avanti West Coast.
Omio customers who travel from Manchester to London often also extend their vacation to go to Paris, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Oxford, Brussels. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between London and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in London to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In London, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city from The London Eye, visit the vibrant West End Theatre District for high-quality shows, and explore Camden Market's eclectic mix of food, fashion, and crafts. A walk through Hyde Park offers beautiful landscapes and recreational activities, while art lovers can visit the Tate Modern. Don't miss The British Museum's vast collection of art and antiquities, the historic Tower of London with its Crown Jewels, and Buckingham Palace. Iconic landmarks like The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, along with St. Paul's Cathedral, offer a glimpse into the city's rich history and architecture.
For a comprehensive experience of London's top attractions, cultural sites, and local neighborhoods, it is recommended to spend around 3 to 5 days in the city. This allows time to explore major landmarks such as the British Museum, Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace, as well as enjoy local markets and parks.
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