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Trains from Fort William to Manchester

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Avanti West Coast
Caledonian Sleeper

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  2. Train times
  3. Fort William to Manchester

Fort William to Manchester by train

First train

6:44 am

Last train

7:50 pm

Departure station

Fort William

Arrival station

Manchester

Journey time

From 7h 42m

Distance

257 miles (413 km)

Frequency

12 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, ScotRail, TransPennine Express

Taking the train from Fort William to Manchester in 7 hours 42 minutes

Thinking about taking the train from Fort William to Manchester? We've got you covered.

It usually takes around 13 hours 55 minutes to travel the 413 km from Fort William to Manchester by train, although you can get there in as little as 7 hours 42 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 12 trains per day running on this route. You'll need to make 1 change along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line.

Train tickets from Fort William to Manchester are usually cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.

Keen to book your train tickets to Manchester? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train schedule below, tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs, including first and last train times.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Fort William to Manchester?

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

How do you get to Manchester from Fort William?

To travel to Manchester from Fort William, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 13 hours and 55 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 7 hours and 42 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information on routes and timetables.

How long is the train ride from Fort William to Manchester?

Trains from Fort William to Manchester take an average of 13 hours and 55 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 7 hours and 42 minutes. You'll usually find 12 trains per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

What is the quickest journey time between Fort William and Manchester by train?

The quickest journey time between Fort William and Manchester by train is 7 hours and 42 minutes.

Are there direct trains from Fort William to Manchester?

No there are no direct trains running from Fort William to Manchester, you’ll usually need to make around 1 change during the journey.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Fort William to Manchester?

Planning a trip to the UK soon? As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, our Trainline team of experts have put together these tips to help you find the cheapest tickets.

1. Book in advance

Train tickets from Fort William to Manchester start at § one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. UK train companies usually release Advance tickets up to 12 weeks ahead of time and these can be cheaper than tickets bought on the day of travel.

2. Sign up to Ticket Alert

If you're planning a trip more than 12 weeks ahead, sign up to our Ticket Alert to get notified when Advance tickets are released for your travel date.

3. Book split tickets

Our handy feature SplitSave will ‘split’ your train journey into multiple tickets, which can be much cheaper than buying a single ticket. Find out more about split tickets.

4. Travel Off-Peak

If you can be flexible with your travel times, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are usually cheaper than Anytime tickets in the UK. Generally, Off-Peak times are any time at weekends and outside of Monday to Friday morning and evening rush hours.

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.

What are my ticket options for this journey?

If you're like us, you've probably seen the sheer number of ticket types available in the UK and wondered "Why are there so many?!" To help, we've put together a handy guide to the main UK ticket types, simply tap the one you’re interested in to find out more.

Advance train tickets

Single tickets released ahead of time for a specific time and date. Generally, the sooner you book, the cheaper these tickets are likely to be.

Anytime train tickets

Flexible tickets that allow you to travel at any time of the day. Perfect if you have to be somewhere but aren’t sure for how long.

First Class train tickets

Fancy traveling in style? Enjoy perks like more spacious seating, complimentary refreshments and lounge access with First Class train tickets.

GroupSave train tickets

Save up to 1/3 when traveling with a group of 3 to 9 people on eligible single or return journeys at Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak times.

Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak train tickets

Available at quieter times of the day, Off-Peak tickets offer the flexibility of traveling at any time during the Off-Peak window and discounted fares.

Return train tickets

Return tickets combine your outward and return journey into a single ticket. Choose from a Day or Open Return ticket for more flexibility on travel dates.

Family train tickets

Traveling with your family? There are plenty of family offers to help you save money, including Kids for a Quid tickets for children aged 5-15 and Off-Peak Family Travelcards.

* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.

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