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 7m
£65 - £240
Cheapest option
Bus • 5h
£15 - £19
6 alternative options
Train via Nottingham • 4h 20m
£100 - £146
Rideshare • 4h 2m
£16 - £26
Drive • 3h 26m
£30 - £50
Fly from London Heathrow • 2h 42m
£44 - £199
Train to Southampton, fly • 3h 51m
£93 - £291
Train to Cambridge, fly • 3h 18m
£74 - £251
Travel safe during COVID-19
Rules to follow in United Kingdom
2m
Mandatory
Travel within United Kingdom
Nationwide control measures in place
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 restricted
- Face masks are mandatory
- There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres
- Nationwide control measures in place
The UK currently has a restriction Tier system in place that can impact travel between areas.
Click here to view the Tier information in ManchesterThe 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: 11 Jan 2021
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 £15 - £19 and takes 5h.
The quickest way to get from London to Manchester is to train which costs £65 - £240 and takes 2h 7m.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from London, London Victoria Coach Station station and arriving at Manchester, Manchester Shudehill Interchange. Services depart four times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5h.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from London Euston and arriving at Manchester Piccadilly. Services depart hourly, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 2h 7m.
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 7m and costs £65 - £240.
The train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly takes 2h 7m including transfers and departs hourly.
London to Manchester bus services, operated by FlixBus, depart from London, 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 7m and costs £65 - £240. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs £15 - £19 and takes 5h, you could also fly, which costs £40 - £200 and takes 2h 42m.
- Distance: 163.6 miles
- Duration: 2h 7m
What companies run services between London, England and Manchester, England?
Avanti West Coast operates a train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly hourly. Tickets cost £65 - £240 and the journey takes 2h 7m. Alternatively, FlixBus operates a bus from London, London Victoria Coach Station to Manchester, Manchester Shudehill Interchange 4 times a day. Tickets cost £15 - £19 and the journey takes 5h.
- Website
- britishairways.com
Flights from London Heathrow to Manchester
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 3m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £40 - £230
Flights from Cambridge to Manchester
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- When
- Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- £35 - £190
- Website
- easternairways.com
Flights from Southampton to Manchester
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- £65 - £240
- Website
- blueislands.com
Flights from Southampton to Manchester
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- £95 - £420
- Phone
- 0344 556 5650
- Website
- avantiwestcoast.co.uk
Train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 7m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- 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
- £60 - £90
- Website
- eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk
- Advance Single
- £27 - £50
- Off-Peak Single
- £50 - £75
- Anytime Day Single/Anytime Single
- £60 - £90
Train from Nottingham to Manchester Piccadilly
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 46m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £40 - £60
- Website
- eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk
- Advance Single
- £18 - £35
- Off-Peak Single
- £30 - £50
- Anytime Day Single/Anytime Single
- £40 - £60
- Phone
- 0345 6000 650
- Website
- southwesternrailway.com
Train from London Waterloo to Southampton Airport Parkway
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 13m
- 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
One of Europe’s leading bus companies, Flixbus serves 2000+ destinations in 29 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Croatia and into Scandinavia and eastern Europe, as well as some US cities. Coaches have toilets, free WiFi and power outlets, plus snacks and drinks for purchase on board. Flixbus is a good choice for the budget-conscious traveller; purchase tickets in advance for the cheapest fares (note: there is no option to reserve a seat in advance).
Rome2rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 1807 123 99 123
- info@flixbus.de
- Website
- flixbus.de
Bus from London, London Victoria Coach Station to Manchester, Manchester Shudehill Interchange
- Ave. Duration
- 5h
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- £15 - £19
- Website
- flixbus.co.uk
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.
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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 FlixBus, arrive at Manchester, Manchester Shudehill Interchange station.
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 and FlixBus.
There are 956+ 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 14 min and costs £4 - £35.