TrainlineTrainline is Europe’s Nº 1 destination for train and bus tickets*

  • Join millions of travelers who love Trainline: Europe’s Nº 1 destination for train and bus tickets*

  • Easily compare prices and book your European train and bus travel

  • Book your tickets in US Dollars, and pay securely with Apple Pay, PayPal, and more

Manchester to Fort William by train

First train

05:22

Last train

22:32

Departure station

Manchester

Arrival station

Fort William

Journey time

From 9h 47m

Distance

257 miles (413 km)

Frequency

7 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Train operators

TransPennine Express, ScotRail, Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper

Taking the train from Manchester to Fort William in 9 hours 47 minutes

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

It usually takes around 10 hours 42 minutes to travel the 413 km from Manchester to Fort William by train, although you can get there in as little as 9 hours 47 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 7 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 Manchester to Fort William 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 Fort William? 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.

FAQs for Manchester to Fort William

Want to know more about your journey from Manchester to Fort William? 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 to Fort William take?

The average journey time by train between Manchester and Fort William is 10 hours and 42 minutes, with around 7 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 and Fort William by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Manchester to Fort William is 9 hours and 47 minutes.

Is there a direct train from Manchester to Fort William?

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

What time does the first train from Manchester to Fort William leave?

The first train from Manchester to Fort William leaves at 05:22. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Manchester to Fort William leave?

The last train from Manchester to Fort William leaves at 22:32. 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 and Fort William by train?

Trains travelling from Manchester to Fort William cover a distance of around 257 miles (413 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

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

Cheap train tickets from Manchester to Fort William

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 to Fort William 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.

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.

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

Europe’s leading train and coach app

We help customers across Europe make more than 172,000 smarter journeys every day.