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Trains from Manchester to Birmingham

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Avanti West Coast
CrossCountry

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  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Manchester to Birmingham

Manchester to Birmingham by train

First train

4:11 am

Last train

10:04 pm

Departure station

Manchester

Arrival station

Birmingham

Journey time

From 1h 28m

Distance

70 miles (113 km)

Frequency

39 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry

Traveling by train from Manchester to Birmingham

Want to travel from Manchester to Birmingham by train? Start your journey with us.

It takes 1 hour 41 minutes on average to travel from Manchester to Birmingham by train. There are around 39 trains per day on this route.

Direct trains operate on this route.

If you want cheaper tickets, it's often a good idea to book in advance.

Our Journey Planner is the place to find the latest times, tickets and prices.

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

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

How do I travel from Manchester to Birmingham?

You can get from Manchester to Birmingham in 1 hour and 41 minutes on average, with the fastest trains taking just 1 hour and 28 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details on times, tickets and prices.

How long does the train from Manchester to Birmingham take?

The average journey time by train between Manchester and Birmingham is 1 hour and 41 minutes, with around 39 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.

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

The fastest journey time by train from Manchester to Birmingham is 1 hour and 28 minutes.

Can you take a train directly from Manchester to Birmingham?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Manchester to Birmingham without having to change trains. There are 39 direct trains from Manchester to Birmingham each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Manchester to Birmingham?

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. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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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