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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly by train

It takes an average of 4h 36m to travel from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly by train, over a distance of around 181 miles (291 km). There are normally 33 trains per day travelling from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly and tickets for this journey start from £44.70 when you book in advance.

First train

03:48

Last train

19:15

Departure station

Southampton Central

Arrival station

Manchester Piccadilly

Journey time

From 4h 13m

Distance

181 miles (291 km)

Frequency

33 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £44.70

Train operators

CrossCountry

Travelling from Southampton to Manchester Piccadilly by train

You can take a direct train from Southampton Central station to Manchester Piccadilly. Direct trains are provided by CrossCountry and all services to Manchester Piccadilly are run on an hourly basis during off-peak times.

CrossCountry trains not only offer WiFi access (complimentary in First Class) but also have space for up to three bikes free of charge, two of these spaces can be reserved in advance.

First Class services are offered for most CrossCountry trains, which include complimentary drinks, reclining seats and the chance to enjoy especially great views.

For more information, visit our CrossCountry page.

If you decide not to take a direct train, and instead take two trains, the two main train operators for this route are CrossCountry and Avanti West Coast (formerly Virgin Trains), which offer complimentary WiFi to all First Class passengers. If you travel in Standard you must pay an additional fee for WiFi access should you need it.

Route information from Southampton to Manchester

Going by train from Southampton to Manchester is a popular route for many in the UK. The direct train for this journey takes you through some of England's most historical sites, such as medieval Winchester, the university city of Oxford and Birmingham - the second largest city in the United Kingdom.

Another option would be to take a direct train crossing the beautiful countryside of South-Central England to London Waterloo station, in the South West of the UK’s capital. This train stops at Southampton Airport Parkway, Winchester and Woking station before heading up to London Waterloo. From Waterloo, you'll need to take a tube to London Euston station via the Northern Line before boarding your connecting train to Manchester.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly take?

The average journey time by train between Southampton Central and Manchester Piccadilly is 4 hours and 36 minutes, with around 33 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between Southampton Central and Manchester Piccadilly by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly is 4 hours and 13 minutes.

How much does the train from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly cost?

Train ticket prices from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly can start from as little as £44.70 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly without having to change trains. There are 33 direct trains from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly leave?

The first train from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly leaves at 03:48. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly leave?

The last train from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly leaves at 19:15. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between Southampton Central and Manchester Piccadilly by train?

Trains travelling from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly cover a distance of around 181 miles (291 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Manchester Piccadilly to Southampton Central.

Cheap train tickets from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly

Train tickets from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly start at £44.70 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.
† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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