4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Reading to Manchester
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €71 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 29m. 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 €71, while a flight costs an average of €325.
Distance: 149 miles (241 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€114 Average price | €325 Average price | €71 Average price Cheapest | €67 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 29m Average total duration Fastest 2h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 47m Average total duration 1h 47m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 6h 48m Average total duration 6h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 30m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.7 - 1.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular airline |  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.
This is compared to other travel options from Reading to Manchester:
A bus is €43 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Reading to Manchester costing on average €114.
A bus is €253 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Reading to Manchester costing on average €325.
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Flight takes on average 3h 47m.
Bus takes on average 6h 48m.
You'll arrive about 1h 31m sooner (2h 59m by train vs 4h 30m by car). Tickets start at around €114 compared to roughly €67 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
Travel optionsfrom Reading to Manchester
How to get from Reading to Manchester by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Reading to Manchester is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
G008528:15 AM3h14Reading station (RDG)11:29 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)€261One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- G008528:15 AM3h14Reading station (RDG)11:29 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)€261One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- BA13788:10 PM0h55London Heathrow Airport9:05 PMManchester Airport€651One-way0 transfers
Other options
- G00740 · G008538:45 AM3h14Reading station (RDG)11:59 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)€631One-way1 transfer
Tube from London Paddington to London Euston+W33564+
C478659:12 AM4h53Reading station (RDG)2:05 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)€1151One-way2 transfers
- RRRA1 · NX030 · NX54011:03 AM8h22Reading, Blagrave Street7:25 PMManchester, Coach Station€481One-way2 transfers
- RRRA1 · NX210 · NX5413:03 PM7h27Reading, Blagrave Street10:30 PMManchester, Coach Station€491One-way2 transfers
- RRRA1 · NX210 · NX5414:23 PM7h27Reading, Blagrave Street11:50 PMManchester, Coach Station€491One-way2 transfers
- BA13809:45 PM0h55London Heathrow Airport10:40 PMManchester Airport€651One-way0 transfers
- BA13682:40 PM1h05London Heathrow Airport3:45 PMManchester Airport€1411One-way0 transfers
- BA13608:50 AM1h00London Heathrow Airport9:50 AMManchester Airport€1941One-way0 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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FAQs: Travel from Reading 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 Reading to Manchester.
This is compared to other travel options from Reading to Manchester:
A bus is €43 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Reading to Manchester costing on average €114.
A bus is €253 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Reading to Manchester costing on average €325.
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Flight takes on average 3h 47m.
Bus takes on average 6h 48m.
- Around 16 flights per day.
- Around 15 buses per day.
- Around 8 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Reading and Manchester as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from London Heathrow Airport and arrive in Manchester Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Reading station (RDG) and arrive in Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
- Buses mostly depart from Reading, Blagrave Street and arrive in Manchester, Coach Station.
- Travel with National Express to go to Manchester by bus.
- Travel with British Airways, Loganair, BA Cityflyer to go to Manchester by flight.
- Travel with CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, London North Eastern Railway to go to Manchester by train.
- 9 direct flights per day with British Airways, Loganair.
- 2 direct trains per day with CrossCountry.
Travelling from Reading to Manchester: related information
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