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Trains from Watford to Manchester

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Avanti West Coast
London North Eastern Railway

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

Watford to Manchester by train

First train

5:14 am

Last train

10:09 pm

Departure station

Watford

Arrival station

Manchester

Journey time

From 2h 4m

Distance

148 miles (238 km)

Frequency

2 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Train operators

Avanti West Coast

Traveling by train from Watford to Manchester

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

It takes 2 hours 29 minutes on average to travel from Watford to Manchester by train. There are around 2 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 Watford to Manchester?

Want to know more about your journey from Watford 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 Watford?

To travel to Manchester from Watford, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 2 hours and 29 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 2 hours and 4 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information on routes and timetables.

How long is the train ride from Watford to Manchester?

Trains from Watford to Manchester take an average of 2 hours and 29 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 2 hours and 4 minutes. You'll usually find 2 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 Watford and Manchester by train?

The quickest journey time between Watford and Manchester by train is 2 hours and 4 minutes.

Are there direct trains from Watford to Manchester?

Yes there are direct trains running from Watford to Manchester, you’ll usually find around 2 per day traveling on this route.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Watford 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. 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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