Journey information from London to Manchester
- Train Fares from: £23.50
- Fastest route:
- Slowest route:
- Average journey time:
- Changes: Direct
- Trains per day: Around 88
- Distance: 163 miles (262 km)
- Train operators: Avanti West Coast (formerly Virgin Trains)
- Origin: London
- Destination: Manchester
First Class trains from London to Manchester
Avanti West Coast operates First Class trains from London Euston to Manchester on the West Coast Mainline – perfect if you’re looking to travel in that extra bit of luxury. But just what exactly do you get for your money? Well, some of the best bits include:
- Comfier, bigger seats that recline and come paired with a table, great for either relaxing or working on the go
- Access to fast, reliable WiFi
- Power sockets at every seat, so you can stay charged up and connected
- Complimentary food and drink while onboard
- Access to exclusive First Class lounges at London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly (on the return journey)
Think First Class tickets are always cheaper? Think again. Depending on when you book, First Class tickets can sometimes be cheaper than Standard Class, so keep an eye out to enjoy a luxurious journey from London to Manchester for less.
London to Manchester train times information
Direct trains run from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly every 20m and average journey times are around 2h 24m. There's an additional option once an hour to change at Warrington Bank Quay, which adds around 20m to the journey time. Direct trains are run by Avanti West Coast (formerly Virgin Trains), and indirect services (via Warrington Bank Quay) are run by Transport for Wales.
All Avanti West Coast (formerly Virgin Trains) offer WiFi, power sockets (although only for seats with tables in Standard Class), you'll also find an onboard shop selling alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, sandwiches, snacks, newspapers and magazines. Transport for Wales, (formerly Arriva Trains Wales) also offer a range of drinks and snacks on their trains.
*Information correct at time of writing (August 2019). May be subject to change.Reviewing London to Manchester by train
The journey to which this review refers is that on a ‘Pendolino’ train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly, calling at Crewe, Wilmslow and Stockport.
Euston is not the most inspiring of the London terminals, having lost most of its character during redevelopment work in the mid-1960s including the demolition of the Arch and the Great Hall, to accommodate the electrified West Coast Main Line, and the revamped station still attracts criticism over its architecture.
However, one thing it does have in its favour is the Avanti West Coast (formerly Virgin Trains) First Class Lounge. It can be found upstairs above the food court and is the place where the First Class experience begins.
The First Class Lounge at EustonAll that is needed to make use of the lounge for up to two hours before the outward journey is to present a valid Avanti West Coast (formerly Virgin Trains) First Class ticket. In the Lounge are comfortable chairs and tables at which to enjoy all the free hot and cold drinks, pastries, muffins, cookies and fresh fruit. Alcoholic drinks are available at certain times during the day. There are also free newspapers and free Wi-Fi. Departure information is readily available via screens. The toilet facilities provided were also very clean and free to use.
All in all, a much nicer way to spend the time waiting for the train!
Boarding the famous Pendolino trainOn boarding a First Class coach, the difference from Standard Class is immediately apparent. There are no ‘airline’ style seats and instead of having pairs of seats on each side of the central aisle, some being at tables, First Class has a single line of seats on one side and pairs of seats on the other, each seat being at a table. Every window seat has a plug point for iPhones, laptops and tablets. The seats are wider and generally more comfortable than those in Standard Class, with more leg room.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided in First Class.
The on-board serviceAll food and drink was served at the table by staff who were friendly, helpful and efficient. Unlike the current vogue for plastic cutlery during air travel, real stainless steel is the material of choice for Avanti West Coast (formerly Virgin Trains).
Within ten minutes of leaving Euston, fresh coffee and tea were brought round, served in china mugs, followed by fresh fruit juice and cereals. Almost immediately orders were taken for breakfast itself, this being a morning journey. A good choice of food was on offer, ranging from a “Full English”, through various types of egg dishes and rolls, to smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.
Also offered were toast, marmalade and jams and fresh fruit.
Breakfast was very tasty and was served piping hot. As an additional plus free bottles of water were available as well
In summary, although travelling First Class is more expensive, as an experience it is not to be missed, even if just as a ‘one-off’.
The train journey itselfThe journey from Euston to Manchester takes just over 2 hours. It is not one of Britain’s most scenic trips, but for train buffs, watch out at Crewe for the Heritage Centre on the left hand side just after Crewe North Junction signal box. The original Advanced Passenger Train can be seen in the sidings.
Brian's top tip:Watch out for the seat sales held by most of the train operators, where tickets can be booked in advance at a good price reduction. Sometimes they will only charge £10 to upgrade to First Class.
Find out more information about how to buy cheap train tickets to Manchester.
How long does it take to travel from London to Manchester by train?
The average journey time between London and Manchester is . On an average weekday, there are 88 trains travelling from London to Manchester. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays.
Avg. DurationWhat is the fastest journey from London to Manchester by train?
The fastest journey time by train is .
How much does the train from London to Manchester cost?
Train tickets from London to Manchester can start from as little as £23.50 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book.
Are there direct trains from London to Manchester?
Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Manchester without having to change trains. Use our journey planner above to get direct train times from London to Manchester.
DirectWhat is the distance between London and Manchester?
The distance between London and Manchester is 163 miles.
Distance: 163 milesWhat time is the first train from London to Manchester?
The first train from London to Manchester departs at .
What time is the last train from London to Manchester?
The last train from London to Manchester departs at .
First trainLast trainNo sleeper services are available. There may also be fewer services on weekends and public holidays; use the Journey Planner above to search for a specific train on your chosen travel date.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?!'' Well, luckily we've put together a handy guide to all the variations of train ticket you may encounter on your travels.
Our guide to ticket types:*Please note that not all types of train tickets are available for every journey. Factors such as the time, date and train company you'll be using can affect the availability of each one.
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Manchester to London.
Looking for other travel options? We also sell National Express coach tickets across the UK. Check out times and tickets for London to Manchester by bus.