There are 8 ways to get from London to Manchester by train, bus, rideshare, car or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Train • 2h 5m
£65 - £240
Cheapest option
Bus • 5h 10m
£9 - £12
6 alternative options
Train via Nottingham • 4h 31m
£76 - £108
Rideshare • 4h 2m
£16 - £26
Drive • 3h 26m
£30 - £50
Fly from London Heathrow • 2h 37m
£44 - £209
Train to Southampton, fly • 3h 43m
£96 - £291
Train to Cambridge, fly • 3h 13m
£72 - £261
Travel safe during COVID-19
Rules to follow in United Kingdom
2m
Mandatory
COVID-19 help in United Kingdom
If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 111
Frequently Asked Questions
There are currently travel restrictions within United Kingdom.
Explore options for future travelDomestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply
- Face masks are mandatory
- There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres
- Observe COVID-19 safety rules
- Regional restriction measures in place
- Further restrictions may be implemented at short notice
The national COVID-19 helpline number in Manchester is 111.
Wearing a face mask on public transport in Manchester is mandatory.
The social distance requirement in Manchester is 2 metres.
Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 111.
Last updated: 27 Oct 2020
Exceptions may apply, for full details: UK Government.
We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.
This information is compiled from official sources. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.
Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help.
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from London to Manchester is to bus which costs £9 - £12 and takes 5h 10m.
The quickest way to get from London to Manchester is to train which costs £65 - £240 and takes 2h 5m.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from London Victoria Coach Station station and arriving at Manchester Coach Station, Chorlton St station. Services depart every three hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5h 10m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from London Euston and arriving at Manchester Piccadilly. Services depart every 30 minutes, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 2h 5m.
The distance between London and Manchester is 164 miles. The road distance is 198.5 miles.
The best way to get from London to Manchester without a car is to train which takes 2h 5m and costs £65 - £240.
The train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly takes 2h 5m including transfers and departs every 30 minutes.
London to Manchester bus services, operated by National Express, depart from London Victoria Coach Station.
London to Manchester train services, operated by Avanti West Coast, depart from London Euston station.
The best way to get from London to Manchester is to train which takes 2h 5m and costs £65 - £240. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs £9 - £12 and takes 5h 10m, you could also fly, which costs £40 - £210 and takes 2h 37m.
- Distance: 163.6 miles
- Duration: 2h 5m
What companies run services between London, England and Manchester, England?
Avanti West Coast operates a train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly every 30 minutes. Tickets cost £65 - £240 and the journey takes 2h 5m. Alternatively, National Express operates a bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Manchester Coach Station, Chorlton St every 3 hours. Tickets cost £9 - £12 and the journey takes 5h 10m.
- Website
- britishairways.com
Flights from London Heathrow to Manchester
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 3m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £40 - £250
Flights from Cambridge to Manchester
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- When
- Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- £35 - £200
- Website
- blueislands.com
Flights from Southampton to Manchester
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £100 - £400
- Website
- easternairways.com
Flights from Southampton to Manchester
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- £75 - £260
- Phone
- 0344 556 5650
- Website
- avantiwestcoast.co.uk
Train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 5m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- £65 - £240
- Website
- avantiwestcoast.co.uk
- Anytime Day Single
- £65 - £90
- Anytime Day Single 1st Class
- £170 - £240
- Phone
- 03457 125 678
- getintouch@eastmidlandstrains.co.uk
- Website
- eastmidlandstrains.co.uk
Train from London St Pancras International to Nottingham
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 46m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £45 - £65
- Website
- eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk
- Advance Single
- £22 - £35
- Off-Peak Single
- £40 - £70
- Anytime Day Single
- £45 - £65
- Anytime Single
- £60 - £95
Train from Nottingham to Manchester Piccadilly
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £30 - £45
- Website
- eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk
- Advance Single
- £14 - £21
- Off-Peak Single
- £29 - £45
- Anytime Day Single
- £30 - £45
- Anytime Single
- £40 - £60
- Phone
- 0345 6000 650
- Website
- southwesternrailway.com
Train from London Waterloo to Southampton Airport Parkway
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 11m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £30 - £65
- Website
- southwesternrailway.com
- Schedules at
- ojp.nationalrail.co.uk
- Anytime Day
- £30 - £45
- Anytime Day 1st Class
- £55 - £65
- Phone
- 0345 026 4700
- Website
- thameslinkrailway.com
Train from London Kings Cross to Cambridge North
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £20 - £29
- Website
- greatnorthernrail.com
National Express Coaches are a quick and convenient way of travelling around the UK. Over 550 National Express coaches run on Britain's roads every day, serving over 900 destinations across the UK. National Express Coaches carry around 19 million passenger journeys every year. For added convenience, National Express operate coach services to all major UK airports 24 hours per day, and is on its way to being 100% wheelchair accessible. The company also has a 24-hour control centre that receives a GPS signal to update on location, speed and the temperature inside coaches, ensuring the smoothest journey possible.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +44 08717 818178
- Website
- nationalexpress.com
Bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Manchester Coach Station, Chorlton St
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 10m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- £9 - £12
- Website
- National Express
.jpg)
Blablacar is a popular ridesharing platform with 70 million users over 22 (mostly European) countries. The basic idea is that you carpool with locals who are already planning to drive your route and have space in their car. With some flexibility, you’ll get to your destination often faster and cheaper than other means. On the website or app, enter your departure and arrival points and your date of travel, sift through the profiles of drivers who’ve posted pre-planned drives and find one whose timing and preferences match yours. Request to join the ride, wait to be accepted, and pay your share of the set price.
Rome2rio's guide to BlaBlaCar
Contact Details
- Website
- blablacar.com
Rideshare from London to Manchester
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 2m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- £16 - £26
- Book at
- blablacar.co.uk
Want to know more about travelling around United Kingdom
Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Travelling to the UK: What do I need to know?
From navigating the Tube to exploring by ferry, Rome2rio’s UK travel guides give you the lowdown on this tourist hotspot.
Read the travel guideIs ride-sharing platform BlaBlaCar right for you?
Don't have a car, or can't get there on public transportation? This carpooling platform could be your answer.
Read the travel guideWhich London airport should I choose?
Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, City or Southend? Rome2rio explains all.
Read the travel guideHow to get from Heathrow Airport into central London
Rome2rio explains all your public transport options.
Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
The quickest flight from London Heathrow Airport to Manchester Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h.
London to Manchester bus services, operated by National Express, arrive at Manchester Coach Station, Chorlton St.
London to Manchester train services, operated by Avanti West Coast, arrive at Manchester Piccadilly station.
Yes, the driving distance between London to Manchester is 198 miles. It takes approximately 3h 26m to drive from London to Manchester.
British Airways offers flights from London Heathrow Airport to Manchester Airport.
Book your London to Manchester train tickets online with Omio.
Book your London to Manchester bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 958+ hotels available in Manchester. Prices start at £75 per night.
The best way to get from London to London Heathrow Airport is to train which takes 15 min and costs £5 - £35.