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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.

Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness by train

It takes an average of 10h 22m to travel from Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness by train, over a distance of around 287 miles (462 km). There are normally 40 trains per day travelling from Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness and tickets for this journey start from £24.80 when you book in advance.

First train

03:22

Last train

23:32

Departure station

Manchester Piccadilly

Arrival station

Inverness

Journey time

From 6h 41m

Distance

287 miles (462 km)

Frequency

40 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £24.80

Train operators

CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, ScotRail, East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, London North Eastern Railway, Transport for Wales

Travelling from Manchester to Inverness by train

Manchester to Inverness by train is a route that will take you up through the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, before moving through the Scottish Lowlands and changing at Haymarket for the second leg of the journey to Inverness. Taking a TransPennine Express train from Manchester, you should expect free WiFi throughout the train on this service. Along with this, there's a First Class carriage available, where complimentary refreshments, larger seats and power sockets are available to use for work or charge your tablets to watch a film on. There's also food and drink available on this route, with a buffet cart service provided at your seat.

The first train takes you from Manchester Piccadilly to Haymarket station in Edinburgh, rewarding you with some wonderful sights of the Lake District and Scottish Lowlands. You'll then climb through the countryside in the South of Scotland and enter Edinburgh, where you can change for a ScotRail service at Haymarket. From there, make sure you get yourself a window seat, as you won’t want to miss out on the views while crossing the Forth Bridge. One of Scotland’s most famous structures, the 1.5-mile-long bridge is something not be missed out on when travelling across Scotland. The views don’t stop there though, as you'll pass through Cairngorms National Park. With high peaks, tiny streams and plenty of villages to see, this is a beautiful and scenic train route, brimming with opportunities to snap some great photos from the comfort of your seat. Visit our ScotRail page for what onboard services you can get for the second part of your journey.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness? 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 Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness take?

The average journey time by train between Manchester Piccadilly and Inverness is 10 hours and 22 minutes, with around 40 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 Manchester Piccadilly and Inverness by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness is 6 hours and 41 minutes.

How much does the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness cost?

Train ticket prices from Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness can start from as little as £24.80 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 Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness?

No, there are no direct train services from Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness. Travelling from Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness by train will require a minimum of 1 change.

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

The first train from Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness leaves at 03:22. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

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

The last train from Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness leaves at 23:32. 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 Manchester Piccadilly and Inverness by train?

Trains travelling from Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness cover a distance of around 287 miles (462 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

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

Cheap train tickets from Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness

Train tickets from Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness start at £24.80 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 Manchester Piccadilly to Inverness 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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