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Trains from Cardiff Queen Street to Manchester

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Avanti West Coast
CrossCountry

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  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Cardiff Queen Street to Manchester

Trains to Manchester from Cardiff Queen Street

First train

04:44

Last train

00:01

Departure stationCardiff Queen Street
Arrival stationManchester
Journey time

From 3h 16m

Distance

144 miles (231 km)

Frequency

121 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales

Trains to Manchester from Cardiff Queen Street

Want to travel from Cardiff Queen Street to Manchester by train? Start your journey with us.

It takes an average of 5 hours 31 minutes to travel from Cardiff Queen Street to Manchester by train. You'll find on average 121 trains per day running on this route.

There aren't any direct services on this line, but it's still easy to travel to Manchester by train; you'll need to make 1 change.

Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales and TransPennine Express trains run on this route.

Generally, booking Advance train tickets works out cheaper.

See our Journey Planner for up-to-date times and prices.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Cardiff Queen Street to Manchester?

Want to know more about your journey from Cardiff Queen Street 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 Cardiff Queen Street to Manchester?

You can get from Cardiff Queen Street to Manchester by train in 5 hours and 31 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 3 hours and 16 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Cardiff Queen Street to Manchester take?

The average journey time by train between Cardiff Queen Street and Manchester is 5 hours and 31 minutes, with around 121 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 Cardiff Queen Street and Manchester by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Cardiff Queen Street to Manchester is 3 hours and 16 minutes.

Can you take a train directly from Cardiff Queen Street to Manchester?

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

How do I find cheap train tickets from Cardiff Queen Street to Manchester?

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. Use a Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel throughout the year. Buy one with us and you'll be able to store it digitally in our app, so you'll always have it on your travels.

3. 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.

4. Travel Off-Peak

If you can be flexible with your travel times, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are usually cheaper in the UK. Generally, Off-Peak times are any time at weekends and outside of Monday to Friday morning and evening rush hours.

5. Consider a Season Ticket

Best for commuters, if you catch a train on the same route more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly, weekly and flexi options available, find out if a Season Ticket for Cardiff Queen Street to Manchester is right for you.

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.
† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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