4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, flight, and bus 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 an average ticket price of $93 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 56m. 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 train costs an average of $93, while a flight costs an average of $421.
Distance: 147 miles (238 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$93 Average price Cheapest | $421 Average price | $77 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 56m Average total duration Fastest 2h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 54m Average total duration 1h 54m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 30m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.7 - 1.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Compare ways to travel from Watford to Manchester
Compare the available ways to get from Watford to Manchester, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Watford to Manchester:
A train is $329 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Watford to Manchester costing on average $421.
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Flight takes on average 3h 54m.
You'll arrive about 1h 4m sooner (2h 26m by train vs 3h 30m by car). Tickets start at around $93 compared to roughly $77 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 Watford to Manchester
How to get from Watford to Manchester by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Watford to Manchester is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
Y80832 · C17873 · W70531+
L8921010:38 AM 4h12 Watford Junction (WFJ) 2:50 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) $19 1 One-way 3 transfers
Cheapest
- Y80832 · C17873 · W70531+L89210
10:38 AM 4h12 Watford Junction (WFJ) 2:50 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) $19 1 One-way 3 transfers
Fastest
- BA1382
6:25 PM 1h05 London Heathrow Airport 7:30 PM Manchester Airport $134 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
- C17800 · C17878 · W70521+L89208
9:38 AM 4h12 Watford Junction (WFJ) 1:50 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) $19 1 One-way 3 transfers - Y80809 · C17848 · W70507+L89205
8:38 AM 4h12 Watford Junction (WFJ) 12:50 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) $39 1 One-way 3 transfers - W34101+Y80843+
C3420311:28 AM 2h37 Watford High Street (WFH) 2:05 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) $54 1 One-way 2 transfers
- BA1372
3:20 PM 1h10 London Heathrow Airport 4:30 PM Manchester Airport $178 1 One-way 0 transfers - BA1358
6:30 AM 1h05 London Heathrow Airport 7:35 AM Manchester Airport $208 1 One-way 0 transfers - BA1366
10:10 AM 1h10 London Heathrow Airport 11:20 AM Manchester Airport $279 1 One-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
Compare train, flight, and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.
FAQs: Travel from Watford 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 Watford to Manchester.
This is compared to other travel options from Watford to Manchester:
A train is $329 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Watford to Manchester costing on average $421.
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Flight takes on average 3h 54m.
- Around 14 trains per day.
- Around 12 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Watford and Manchester as scheduled services by train, flight, and bus 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 Watford Junction (WFJ) and arrive in Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
- Buses mostly depart from London, Victoria Coach Station and arrive in Manchester, Shudehill Interchange.
- Travel with British Airways, BA Cityflyer, Loganair to go to Manchester by flight.
- Travel with Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains, Lumo to go to Manchester by train.
- 5 direct flights per day with British Airways.
Travelling from Watford 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
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.
