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Trains from Manchester to Fort William

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  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Manchester to Fort William

Manchester to Fort William by train

First train

11:22 am

Last train

11:09 pm

Departure station

Manchester

Arrival station

Fort William

Journey time

From 8h 53m

Distance

257 miles (413 km)

Frequency

5 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 8 hours 53 minutes

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

It usually takes around 11 hours 22 minutes to travel the 413 km from Manchester to Fort William by train, although you can get there in as little as 8 hours 53 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 5 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.

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

To travel to Fort William from Manchester, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 11 hours and 22 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 8 hours and 53 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information on routes and timetables.

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

Trains from Manchester to Fort William take an average of 11 hours and 22 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 8 hours and 53 minutes. You'll usually find 5 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 Manchester and Fort William by train?

The quickest journey time between Manchester and Fort William by train is 8 hours and 53 minutes.

Are there direct trains from Manchester to Fort William?

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

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

The price of train tickets from Manchester to Fort William starts at one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. Booking on the day is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or class.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 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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