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Outbound fromLondon to Manchester by train
It takes an average of 2h 38m to travel from London to Manchester by train, over a distance of around 163 miles (262 km). There are normally 84 trains per day travelling from London to Manchester and tickets for this journey start from £14 when you book in advance.
| First train | 05:10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 22:03 | |
| Departure station | London | |
| Arrival station | Manchester | |
| Journey time | From 2h 6m | |
| Distance | 163 miles (262 km) | |
| Frequency | 84 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From £14 | |
| Train operators |
Travelling from London to Manchester by train
Want to travel from London to Manchester by train? Start your journey with us.
The train from London to Manchester usually takes around 2 hours and 33 minutes, but it can take just 2 hours and 6 minutes on the fastest services, with around 74 trains running on this popular route per day.
As soon as you board the train, you'll be able to make yourself comfortable and enjoy the journey as direct services are available. You'll be travelling with Avanti West Coast on this route. Just sit back, relax and enjoy Avanti’s onboard services, including free WiFi and a bar carriage offering snacks and drinks.
If you're ready to book, start a search for cheap train tickets to Manchester with us today. Want some more info first? Keep reading for:
- Why you should travel by train from London to Manchester
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Train operators from London to Manchester
- Avanti West Coast classes
- Food and drink on board Avanti trains
- Avanti West Coast onboard services
- All about London Euston station
- Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly station
- Using public transport in Manchester
- Things to do in Manchester
*Calculations are based on CO2 / passenger km, comparing an average petrol car, using statistics and conversion factors published in the government’s greenhouse gas reporting conversion factors published 7 June 2023 and revised 28 June 2023. See here for more.
FAQs about the train journey from London to Manchester
Want to know more about your journey from London to Manchester? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Can you take a train directly from London to Manchester?
How close is London to Manchester by train?
Is it possible to get from London to Manchester without flying?
What is the best way to travel from London to Manchester?
What time does the first train from London to Manchester leave?
What time does the last train from London to Manchester leave?
How often are trains from London to Manchester?
Do you need to book the train from London to Manchester in advance?
Can you buy return train tickets from London to Manchester?
Cheap train tickets from London to Manchester
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 London to Manchester 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.
Why should I travel by train from London to Manchester?
If you want to travel from London to Manchester, choose the more sustainable option - choose train!
Go green
Taking the train instead of driving lowers your CO2 impact by a whopping 67%.* Keep it simple, keep it low-carbon.
Save time & money
What's faster or cheaper than flying from London to Manchester? Ah yes, that'd be the train. Cheaper even without a Railcard, too. Win for you. Win for the planet.
Bikes on board
In the UK, you can take your bike on the train, for free! Cool, huh? And, thanks to our bike reservation feature, travelling with your bike has never been easier.
Travel in style
Unlike flying or driving, going by train means no extra luggage charges or parking costs. Plus, you step off the train, right into the city-centre. Aaaand relax.
* Calculations are based on CO2 / passenger km, comparing an average petrol car, using statistics and conversion factors published in the government’s greenhouse gas reporting conversion factors published 7 June 2023 and revised 28 June 2023. See here for more.
Between London and Manchester, 87% of the journeys sold on Trainline between May 2022 and May 2023 were cheaper and faster by rail vs plane. (61% of the journeys sold on Trainline were cheaper and faster by rail vs car.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Still got questions? We’ve got answers.
How much does the train from London to Manchester cost?
Is the train ride from London to Manchester scenic?
Can I use an Oyster card from London to Manchester?
How do I get cheap train tickets from London to Manchester?
Avanti West Coast trains from London to Manchester
Avanti West Coast is one of the major rail operators in the UK. Having taken over the running of the West Coast Main Line in 2019, it now provides services from London Euston and several of the UK’s larger stations including Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street.
Many journeys are on high-speed services where you don’t need to change trains, so Avanti West Coast is a great alternative to flying if you’re looking to explore up and down the country.
Avanti West Coast train classes from London to Manchester
There are three classes on Avanti West Coast services between London and Manchester. As well as Standard and First Class, there’s also Standard Premium Class, which includes some of the perks of First Class at a cheaper price, for a little touch of luxury on your journey.
Standard Class
In Avanti West Coast’s Standard Class, you’ll benefit from free WiFi as well as:
- Plug sockets at certain table and window seats
- Click and Collect food and drink service.
Standard Premium Class
In Avanti Standard Premium Class, exclusive to Avanti West Coast, you’ll get all the amenities of Standard Class plus some extras from First Class, including:
- Plug sockets at every window seat
- Wider, more comfortable seating
- Extra legroom
- Guaranteed table seat.
First Class
Avanti West Coast’s First Class offers a little luxury when travelling by train: you’ll get everything in Standard Class plus free food and drink, as well as First Class Lounge access at London Euston before you catch your train.
- Plug sockets at every window seat
- Wider, more comfortable seating
- Extra legroom
- Guaranteed table seat
- Complimentary food and drink
- First Class Lounge access (up to 2 hours before train departure).
Food and drink on board Avanti West Coast trains from London to Manchester
Avanti West Coast trains have an onboard shop where you can purchase a variety of hot and cold drinks and snacks.
If you want to stretch your legs, there's also a click-and-collect option on Pendolino trains. You'll receive a notification when your order is ready, then just visit the onboard shop to collect your food and drink.
In First Class, Avanti West Coast serves free food and drinks throughout your journey. The menu can change depending on the type of train you're travelling on and the time/day of your journey. Here's an idea of what you can expect during your journey:
- Breakfast is served until 11:00 am and includes soft drinks like tea or coffee, and usually a bacon roll or a veggie option
- During the rest of the day (10:00 am - 10:00 pm), light dishes or a hot meal will be on offer
- Healthy options are available
- Meals are made with unique, quality products made by local suppliers along the route.
Onboard services from London to Manchester
Learn more about the services offered on board Avanti West Coast trains from London to Manchester.
Luggage
Entertainment
Pets
Bikes
All about London Euston station
If you’re travelling direct from London to Manchester by train, you’ll catch a train from London Euston station. Find out more about the station facilities and how to get there.
How to get to London Euston station from central London
London Euston station is conveniently located in the heart of the capital. If you’re in the city centre, you can simply walk to the station to catch your train. Alternatively, you can travel to the station by:
- London Overground (orange): services run between Watford Junction and London Euston station.
- London Underground services: the Northern (black) and Victoria (light blue) lines stop at Euston. The Hammersmith and City (pink), Circle (yellow) and Metropolitan (magenta) lines stop at Euston Square station; from here, it’s a short walk to Euston train station.
- Transport for London (TfL) buses: Bus lines 1, 18, 30, 68, 73, 91, 168, 205, 253, 390 and night bus lines N5, N20, N73, N91, N205 and N253 stop at London Euston.
What’s available at London Euston station?
As one of the busiest stations in the UK, there’s plenty on offer at London Euston to keep travellers fuelled and entertained before their train journeys begin. There’s also passenger assistance available.
London Euston offers the following facilities and assistance services:
- Food and drink outlets such as Caffe Nero, Pret A Manger and M&S
- Cash machines
- Avanti First Class lounge (First Class ticket holders only)
- Luggage storage
- Waiting rooms
- Toilets (including accessible toilets and a Changing Places toilet)
- Luggage trolleys
- Wheelchairs
- Free WiFi
- Audio induction loop.
Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly from London
When travelling from London to Manchester, your train will arrive at Manchester Piccadilly station. To get into the city centre from Manchester Piccadilly, you can travel in a few ways:
- Metrolink trams: Manchester has an extensive tram network; 4 tram lines stop at Manchester Piccadilly station
- Free bus: there are 2 free bus routes run by Go North West that go from Manchester Piccadilly to various places in the city centre
- Bus: other bus companies run paid services throughout Manchester from Manchester Piccadilly station.
Using public transport in Manchester
Read on for more information about navigating the public transportation system in Manchester.
Taking the tram in Manchester
Manchester has an extensive tram network called Metrolink. There are seven tram lines serving different parts of the city, with many lines stopping at the city’s train stations – so it’s easy to get around!
Generally, Metrolink services run from 6:00 am until midnight, Monday to Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays, trams run until 1:00 am. Metrolink’s Sunday hours are between 7:00 am and midnight. Individual services may differ, so it’s a good idea to check online before you travel.
Taking the bus in Manchester
Manchester has frequent bus services operating to help you get around. There’s a free bus in the city centre which has two circular routes – this runs approximately every ten minutes during the day, though exact times may vary. You can use these bus services to get between the different train stations in Manchester, or to explore the city while giving your feet a rest!
There are also paid bus services operated by First and Stagecoach which extend into Greater Manchester.
Things to do in and around Manchester
Looking for something to do on your trip to Manchester? We’ve got a selection of guides which will help you decide what to get up to:
Visit these beaches near Manchester
The best day trips from Manchester
† 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.
