Are you wondering what are the ways on how to get from London to Manchester? London is well-connected to Manchester. This makes travelling between two destinations a breeze because you are spoiled with different options that address the various needs and wants of every traveller.
You can reach Manchester from London by bus, train, coach, rental car, carpool and flight. The road distance between London and Manchester is 321.8 kilometres or 200 miles while the direct distance is 262 kilometres or 162.7 miles. It takes about three hours and 48 minutes to travel this distance by car.
In order to help you find the best mode of transport for your upcoming trip, I have listed down the widely used ways how to get to Manchester from London. Whether you are a luxurious traveller, a businessman on the go or a thrifty backpacker, I am sure you’ll find what suits you best.
How to get from London to Manchester
OPTION 1: How to get from London to Manchester by Standard Bus or Coach
- Travel Duration: about 3 to 5 hours
- Travel Fare: from £10.74
Travelling from London to Manchester by bus is easy and affordable. Megabus is one transport company that services this route, and it has regular trips which you can catch in order to reach Manchester from London. You can book your Megabus ticket here or the Flixbus tickets here in advance so you can get cheaper coach deals.
There are lots of coach trips running daily from London to Manchester. You can book the first one out which leaves at 7:00 am, and if you are aiming for the latest trip – it is scheduled at 11:30 pm.
The coach leaves from London Victoria Coach Station and arrives at Manchester Coach Station in Chorlton Street. It takes at least five hours to travel between the two destinations via coach, and since this is a direct trip, no changes are required.
The standard buses are well-equipped with air conditioning, toilet, Wifi and charging points. They also have wheelchair accessibility.
Depending on your preferred origin and final destination, the bus trip from London to Manchester can last from three to five hours. Here are samples of the different bus timings which you can book online conveniently:
Standard bus from London Heathrow Airport (T2 and T3) to Manchester Shudehill Interchange (Stand G)
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 12:10 am | 6:00 am | 5 hours 50 minutes | £25.71 |
| Latest trip | 4:40 pm | 9:45 pm | 5 hours 5 minutes | £22.83 |
| Cheapest fare | 1:50 pm | 7:30 pm | 5 hours 40 minutes | £19.65 |
| Fastest duration | 9:45 am | 2:00 pm | 4 hours 15 minutes | £19.65 |
Standard bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Manchester Shudehill Interchange (Stand G)
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 8:00 am | 1:00 pm | 5 hours | £12.23 |
| Latest trip | 11:30 pm | 6:00 am | 6 hours 30 minutes | £13.22 |
| Cheapest fare | 4:00 pm | 9:45 pm | 5 hours 45 minutes | £10.74 |
| Fastest duration | 9:00 am | 2:00 pm | 5 hours | £10.74 |
Standard bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Manchester Airport Bus Station
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 8:00 am | 12:30 pm | 4 hours 30 minutes | £19.96 |
| Latest trip | 11:30 pm | 5:35 am | 6 hours 5 minutes | £19.54 |
| Cheapest fare | 7:00 pm | 12:45 am | 5 hours 45 minutes | £10.74 |
| Fastest duration | 11:30 pm | 2:20 am | 3 hours 50 minutes | £19.96 |
Standard bus from London Heathrow Airport (T2 and T3) to Manchester Airport Bus Station
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 12:10 am | 5:35 am | 5 hours 25 minutes | £25.94 |
| Latest trip | 7:40 pm | 12:45 am | 5 hours 5 minutes | £19.82 |
| Cheapest fare | 7:40 pm | 12:45 am | 5 hours 5 minutes | £19.82 |
| Fastest duration | 3:40 pm | 8:05 pm | 4 hours 25 minutes | £19.82 |
Coach from London Victoria Coach Station to Manchester Coach Station
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 7:00 am | 12:05 pm | 5 hours 5 minutes | £12.90 |
| Latest trip | 11:30 pm | 2:50 am | 3 hours 20 minutes | £20.90 |
| Cheapest fare | 6:00 pm | 11:05 pm | 5 hours 5 minutes | £8.90 |
| Fastest duration | 8:00 pm | 12:40 am | 4 hours 40 minutes | £10.90 |
BEST COACH / BUS DEALS!
If you are planning to travel via coach or bus for your upcoming UK trip, I recommend searching for the best coach or bus fare deals with MEGABUS. They have a great network of coach or bus services across the four corners of the UK.
OPTION 2: How to get from London to Manchester by Train
- Travel Duration: about 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £22.80
Getting on a train from London to Manchester is probably the most convenient way to travel between the two destinations. There are a lot of timings and operators to choose from, and there are direct services available so you can reach Manchester fast. Feel free to check the latest fares, discounts, and schedules with Trainline here.
The train from London departs frequently from London Euston, although some leave from London St. Pancras Station. Trains coming from these stations arrive at Manchester Piccadilly. Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Trains are two train operators that service this route.
The earliest train leaves London around 6:00 am while the last train leaves at 10:00 pm. By train, Manchester is about 163 miles or 262 kilometers away from London.
Travel with National Rail and get exclusive railcard deals by checking out their promotions.
BEST TRAIN DEALS!
If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to the UK, I recommend searching for the best train fares with Trainline. They have great options for various trains and schedules, to suit your budget.
OPTION 3: How to get from London to Manchester by Rental Car
- Travel Duration: from 3 hours 47 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £69.48
Having a rental car with you when you explore the top UK destinations is a true convenience. You get to plan your itinerary more personally, stopping by cities that interest you and taking much-needed breaks as much as you want to.
On the other hand, you can also enjoy the efficiency of driving directly from London to Manchester in your private ride. You can do away with the bus transfers, long waits and missed timings with a rental car.
The cost to rent a car in London starts at £69.48. It all depends on the type of vehicle you wish to get and for how long you desire to keep it.
When it comes to driving in the UK, here are some helpful tips you need to know:
- Check if you have a valid license and driving insurance.
- Always drive on the left side of the road.
- Pay attention to the bus lanes.
- Strictly follow the UK road speed limit.
- Familiarise and follow the road signs and parking rules.
I talked more about these in my tips for UK visitors who would like to drive the UK roads. If you are looking for the best car rental deals, you can check Discover Cars for more info.
BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!
If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.
OPTION 4: How to get from London to Manchester by Carpool
- Travel Duration: about 4 hours
- Travel Fare: from £30
With BlaBlaCar, you can connect with other travellers going from London to Manchester who are looking for people to split the cost with. This is a good option for those wanting to travel by land but would rather not drive on their own.
Carpooling schedules cannot be easily determined ahead of time; it all depends on the vehicle owners who publish their routes as they please.
Aside from convenience, choosing to share a ride with someone on your trip to Manchester from London enables you to meet locals you might otherwise miss out on should you have opted for public transport.
OPTION 5: How to get from London to Manchester by Flight
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour
- Travel Fare: from £104
You can fly from London to Manchester if you are pressed for time or would simply prefer travelling on an airplane.
British Airways has regular flights that bring you from London to Manchester. The direct flight departs from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and arrives at Manchester Airport (MAN.)
This option is arguably the fastest way to get to Manchester from London, even if you add in the time you have to allow for airport protocols to commence.
For the best deals, make sure to plan your trip ahead of time so you can book your flight ticket in advance with Skyscanner.
BEST FLIGHT DEALS!
I love good flight deals! If you are looking for the best airline fares for your vacation, I recommend searching for the latest deals on Skyscanner. They will show the best comparison flight deals between airlines that will suit your budget and schedule.
More about Manchester UK
- I made this guide to the best attractions and things to do in Manchester.
- You can also include Manchester in your UK travel Itinerary.
- You can book the most recommended activities in Manchester with Viator.
HERE ARE SOME RECOMMENDED TOURS IN MANCHESTER FROM VIATOR
Map of Manchester, UK
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
FAQs on How to Get from London to Manchester
How do I get from London to Manchester?
You can get from London to Manchester by bus, train, coach, rental car, carpool and flight.
Is there a train between London and Manchester?
Yes, there is a train between London and Manchester. There are about 140 trains that travel directly to Manchester from London on a regular basis.
How long is the train between London and Manchester?
The train ride from London to Manchester lasts for about two hours and 30 minutes. The train distance between London and Manchester measures around 163 miles or 262 kilometres.
Where do you catch a train to Manchester from London?
You can catch a train that goes to Manchester from London at London’s Euston train station. The train arrives at Manchester’s Piccadilly train station.
Can you do a day trip to Manchester from London?
Yes, Manchester is actually a popular day trip destination from London.
Is it cheaper to drive or take the train to Manchester?
It proves to be more and more cost-efficient to drive than to take the train to Manchester. Especially if you get peak train tickets, the cost to drive is still cheaper. This, of course, does not apply if you are getting a rental car.
Do people fly from London to Manchester?
Yes, people fly from London to Manchester. There are regular flights that travel this route which is provided by British Airways.
What is the cheapest way to get from London to Manchester?
The cheapest way to get from London to Manchester is by coach. The ticket price starts at £8.90.
What is the fastest way to get from London to Manchester?
The fastest way to get from London to Manchester is by flight. It only takes about one hour to get to Manchester with this mode of transport. Other options can take as much as five hours.
What is the best way to get from London to Manchester?
The best way to get from London to Manchester is by train. This option, being the most popular, can still become affordable if you time your travel well. It can also bring you to Manchester from London way faster than a bus.
Is Manchester worth visiting?
Yes! There is simply so much to do in Manchester – from going to a city centre, canal cruise to joining a Manchester United Museum and Stadium tour, this place is a popular UK day trip destination for those in London.
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for my UK trip?
YES – If you’re traveling to the UK, securing travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage is essential for your peace of mind; I recommend Safety Wing Travel Insurance, which is renowned for its reliability. (READ MORE)
💧 Can I drink tap water in the UK?
YES – You can confidently drink tap water in the UK—just run it for a bit first—and use a Hydro Flask travel bottle, it is a great eco-friendly companion to keep you hydrated while touring the UK attractions.
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in the UK?
YES – Renting a car in the UK is one of the best ways to see the country. I recommend Discover Cars, to check for the best car rental deals that suit your budget. See my UK driving tips here.
📲 Will my phone work in the UK?
POSSIBLY. Always check with your home mobile provider. If it won’t work or is too expensive, I recommend using Airlo E-Sim for data packages to stay connected online.
🔌 What adapter should I use in the UK?
TYPE G – In the UK, you’ll need a type G plug travel adapter with three rectangular pins arranged in a triangle to power your devices, and the electrical system runs on a 230V supply voltage at 50Hz. (READ MORE)
✈️ What is the best site to buy UK flights?
For finding affordable UK flights, I recommend using Skyscanner. You can always compare the prices that suit your budget.
🛏️ What is the best way to book accommodations in the UK?
My go-to for UK accommodations is Booking.com. I recommend to always check hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.
💷 What currency do I need for my UK trip?
Sterling Pounds – I suggest getting a Wise Travel Card for your hassle-free forex and contactless spending while in the UK. (READ MORE)
🧳 What do I pack for the UK trip?
Depending on the season – You can check my article about the best time to visit the UK.
🛂 Do I need a visa for the UK?
Likely Not – US, Canada, AU, NZ, and EU passport holders do not need a visit visa to the UK. If ever you need one, read more on how to apply for a UK visit visa. Visit iVisa.com to help you with your visa travel documentation needs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
Travel BlogEverything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British–Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in the Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our mission is to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.