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Trains from London to Manchester

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  2. Train times
  3. London to Manchester

London to Manchester by train

It takes an average of 2h 42m to travel from London to Manchester by train, over a distance of around 163 miles (262 km). There are normally 55 trains per day traveling from London to Manchester and tickets for this journey start from $18.74 when you book in advance.

First train

5:10 am

Last train

10:03 pm

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Manchester

Journey time

From 2h 6m

Distance

163 miles (262 km)

Frequency

55 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From $18.74

Train operators

Avanti West Coast

Traveling from London to Manchester by train

Planning a trip to the Northwest and need more information on how to travel by train from London to Manchester? We’ve got you covered! 

Generally, the journey from London to Manchester by train takes around 2 hours and 35 minutes. However, if you want to get there quickly, the fastest services can take you there in as little as 2 hours and 3 minutes. With around 97 direct trains running on this popular route each day, you can sit back and make yourself comfortable as you don’t need to make any changes.  

On this route, you’ll board an Avanti West Coast train at London Euston station. Once you’ve found your seat, you can begin to enjoy the onboard amenities, such as free WiFi, power sockets and at-seat catering. If you prefer to travel in style, why not upgrade to Standard Premium Class or First Class? With the latter, you’ll enjoy more legroom, a guaranteed table and complimentary food and drink. In just over 2 hours, your train will arrive at Manchester Piccadilly station.  

As soon as you’ve exited the station, you can begin to explore everything there is to see and do in Manchester. Not sure where to begin? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Manchester, including a trip to Manchester Art Gallery and the National Football Museum. Or go even further and follow some celebrity football (soccer) fans by heading to Old Trafford stadium!

Looking to buy cheaper train tickets? Try to travel at Off-Peak times – outside of morning/evening rush hours on weekdays. Also, try to book an Advance ticket, they are usually released 12 weeks before the departure date and tend to be a lot cheaper than purchasing tickets on the day of travel.  

Feeling inspired? Start a search for cheap train tickets from London to Manchester today. There’s no need to wait, just head to our Journey Planner at the top of the page. If you’d like to read more information about the journey, scroll down for our FAQs, timetables with first and last train times and tips on booking cheap train tickets.

FAQs about the train journey from London to Manchester

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

How do I travel from London to Manchester?

You can get from London to Manchester in 2 hours and 42 minutes on average, with the fastest trains taking just 2 hours and 6 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details on times, tickets and prices.

How long does the train from London to Manchester take?

The average journey time by train between London and Manchester is 2 hours and 42 minutes, with around 55 trains per day running on this route. 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.

How much does the train from London to Manchester cost?

Train tickets from London to Manchester can start from as little as $18.74 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book.

What's the fastest journey time between London and Manchester by train?

The fastest journey time by train from London to Manchester is 2 hours and 6 minutes.

Cheap train tickets from London to Manchester

Train tickets from London to Manchester start at $18.74‡ 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 London to Manchester 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.

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 34% 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.

Avanti West Coast trains from London to Manchester

Avanti West Coast is one of the major rail operators in the UK. Having taken over the running of the West Coast Main Line in 2019, it now provides services from London Euston and several of the UK’s larger stations including Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street.

Many journeys are on high-speed services where you don’t need to change trains, so Avanti West Coast is a great alternative to flying if you’re looking to explore up and down the country.

More information about Avanti West Coast

Avanti West Coast train classes from London to Manchester

There are three classes on Avanti West Coast services between London and Manchester. As well as Standard and First Class, there’s also Standard Premium Class, which includes some of the perks of First Class at a cheaper price, for a little touch of luxury on your journey.

Standard Class

In Avanti West Coast’s Standard Class, you’ll benefit from free WiFi and the ability to order your food and drink to your seat.

  • Free WiFi
  • Access to Avanti’s onboard entertainment system
  • Power outlets at certain table and window seats
  • At-Seat Order

Standard Premium Class

In Avanti Standard Premium Class, exclusive to Avanti West Coast, you’ll get all the amenities of Standard Class plus some extras from First Class, including wider, comfier seats.

  • Free WiFi
  • Access to Avanti’s onboard entertainment system
  • Power outlets at every window seat
  • At-Seat Order
  • Wider, more comfortable seating
  • Extra legroom
  • Guaranteed at-seat table

First Class

Avanti West Coast’s First Class offers a little luxury when traveling by train: you’ll get free food and drink, as well as First Class Lounge access at London Euston before you catch your train.

  • Free WiFi
  • Access to Avanti’s onboard entertainment system
  • Power outlets at every window seat
  • At-Seat Order
  • Wider, more comfortable seating
  • Extra legroom
  • Guaranteed at-seat table
  • Complimentary food and drink
  • First Class Lounge access (up to 2 hours before train departure)

Food and drink on board Avanti West Coast trains from London to Manchester

Avanti West Coast offers a service that allows you to order food and drink during your journey and have it delivered to your seat.

The service is available on all Avanti trains – just log onto the free onboard WiFi and you'll be able to order and pay for your items on a dedicated page. Your food and drink will then be brought to your seat by the staff on board.

If you want to stretch your legs, there's also a click-and-collect option on Pendolino trains. You'll receive a notification when your order is ready, then just visit the onboard shop to collect your food and drink.

In First Class, Avanti West Coast serves free food and drinks throughout your journey. The menu can change depending on the type of train you're traveling on and the time/day of your journey. Here's an idea of what you can expect during your journey:

  • Breakfast is served until 11:00 am and includes soft drinks like tea or coffee, and usually a bacon roll or a veggie option
  • During the rest of the day (10:00 am - 10:00 pm), light dishes or a hot meal will be on offer
  • Healthy options are available
  • Meals are made with unique, quality products made by local suppliers along the route.

Onboard services from London to Manchester

Learn more about the services offered on board Avanti West Coast trains from London to Manchester.

Traveling from the airport to central London

If you’re visiting London from abroad, you might be flying into one of London’s airports. Want to know how to get to central London from the airport? Keep reading for more details.

London has six major airports:

  • Heathrow Airport
  • Gatwick Airport
  • Stansted Airport
  • London City Airport
  • Luton Airport
  • London Southend Airport

Each airport is well-connected to central London (zone 1) thanks to the city’s extensive rail and bus network. Trains are typically the quickest way to get from any airport to the city center. Read more about UK airport transfers in our guide.

How to get to London Euston station from central London

London Euston station is conveniently located in the heart of the capital. If you’re in the city center, you can simply walk to the station to catch your train. Alternatively, you can travel to the station by:

  • London Overground (orange): services run between Watford Junction and London Euston station
  • London Underground services: the Northern (black) and Victoria (light blue) lines stop at Euston. The Hammersmith and City (pink), Circle (yellow) and Metropolitan (magenta) lines stop at Euston Square; from here, it’s a short walk to Euston train station
  • Transport for London (TfL) buses: Bus lines 18, 30, 59, 68, 73, 91, 168, 205, 253, 390 and night bus lines N5, N20, N73, N91, N205 and N253 stop at London Euston.

For more information, check out our London Euston station guide. 

Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly from London

When traveling from London to Manchester, your train will arrive at Manchester Piccadilly station. To get into the city center from Manchester Piccadilly, you can travel in a few ways:

  • Metrolink trams: Manchester has an extensive tram network; 4 tram lines stop at Manchester Piccadilly station
  • Free bus: there are 2 free bus routes run by Go North West that go from Manchester Piccadilly to various places in the city center
  • Bus: other bus companies run paid services throughout Manchester from Manchester Piccadilly station.

If you need to travel to Manchester Airport, you can take the train from Manchester Piccadilly station. To learn more, check out our guide on trains to and from Manchester Airport.

Using public transport in Manchester

Read on for more information about navigating the public transportation system in Manchester.

Taking the tram in Manchester

Manchester has an extensive tram network called Metrolink. There are seven tram lines serving different parts of the city, with many lines stopping at the city’s train stations – so it’s easy to get around!

Generally, Metrolink services run from 06:00 am until midnight, Monday to Saturday. Metrolink’s Sunday hours are between 07:00 am and midnight. Individual services may differ, so it’s a good idea to check online before you travel.

Taking the bus in Manchester

Manchester has frequent bus services operating to help you get around. There’s a free bus in the city center which has two circular routes – this runs approximately every ten minutes during the day, though exact times may vary. You can use these bus services to get between the different train stations in Manchester, or to explore the city while giving your feet a rest!

There are also paid bus services operated by First and Stagecoach which extend into Greater Manchester.

Explore Europe by train with a Eurail Pass

Once you’ve finished exploring Manchester, why not continue exploring Europe by train? With a Eurail Pass, you can travel across 33 European countries as much as you want on participating European train networks for a set amount of travel days.

You can use a Eurail Pass if you’re not a European citizen or resident. If you're a European citizen or a non-European who is an official legal resident of a European country, you can use an Interrail Pass instead.

 

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.

Taking the train between London and Manchester is a good experience

I often take the train from London to Manchester with Avanti West Coast, traveling in Standard Class. It takes just over two hours to get from London Euston station to Manchester Piccadilly station by train.

What I enjoyed about the journey

On board the train, it’s very comfortable – there's plenty of legroom, comfy seats, air conditioning, power outlets nearby and plenty of baggage storage. What’s more, there’s a good selection of food and drink available from the helpful staff members at the Onboard Shop.

It’s also nice to see that there’s a quiet car available on the train – perfect if you don’t want to be distracted while working or reading a good book.

What I didn’t like about the journey

One thing I didn’t like about my trip was that the train was delayed, so we arrived late at Manchester Piccadilly. That said, I travel this route 2 or 3 times per week, and while it is sometimes delayed it remains by far the best way to get from London to Manchester (compared to air or car).

Overall, taking the train from London to Manchester is usually a pretty good experience. I’m always pleased with the amenities on board and taking the train beats flying or sitting at a standstill on the motorway any day!

 

About Peter

Peter, a Trainline employee, chose to share their experience of the journey between London and Manchester. The review has been written by one of our travel writers, based on a survey including multiple-choice questions regarding pros and cons of the journey. 


* 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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