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Trains from Manchester to Birmingham

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Avanti West Coast
CrossCountry

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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.
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  3. Manchester to Birmingham

Trains to Birmingham from Manchester

It takes an average of 1h 37m to travel from Manchester to Birmingham by train, over a distance of around 70 miles (113 km). There are normally 42 trains per day travelling from Manchester to Birmingham and tickets for this journey start from £7.80 when you book in advance.

First train

04:11

Last train

22:04

Departure stationManchester
Arrival stationBirmingham
Journey time

From 1h 28m

Distance

70 miles (113 km)

Frequency

42 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £7.80

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry

What are the train times from Manchester to Birmingham?

Check out the next trains departing from Manchester to Birmingham for Saturday 1st November 2025 using our handy timetable below, including platform and live travel information. You can view the full day timetable or search for a different date here.
DepartsArrivesTrainDuration
05:11manchester piccadilly06:56birmingham new streetPlat. 7 estimatedcrosscountry PeakGet tickets1h 45m, direct
05:55manchester piccadilly07:48birmingham new streetPlat. 5 estimatedavanti west coast PeakGet tickets1h 53m, 1 change
06:11manchester piccadilly08:04birmingham new streetPlat. 6 estimatedavanti west coast PeakGet tickets1h 53m, 2 changes
06:27manchester piccadilly08:19birmingham new streetPlat. 13 estimatedtransport for wales PeakGet tickets1h 52m, 1 change
07:03manchester piccadilly08:33birmingham new streetPlat. 5 estimatedcrosscountry PeakGet tickets1h 30m, direct

Taking the train from Manchester to Birmingham

🍃 Create 67% less CO2 when you choose train over car*

Is switching to train one of the best ways to lower your CO2 impact? Sure is. Keep it simple. Keep it low carbon.

Thinking about travelling from Manchester to Birmingham by train? We’ve got you covered.

The train from Manchester to Birmingham usually takes around 1h 36m but can take just 1h 28m on the fastest services, with around 27 trains running on this popular route every day. You won't need to worry about making any changes along the way either as direct trains are available on this route.

You can travel on this route with either CrossCountry or Avanti West Coast. CrossCountry offer direct services, however you'll probably need to make a change at Crewe if you travel with Avanti.

To snap up the cheapest fares, book an Off-Peak time – train tickets from Manchester to Birmingham are usually cheaper when you travel Off-Peak compared to taking the train at Peak times. If you want to save even more, get a Railcard – you’ll save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year.

If you're ready to book, start a search for cheap train tickets to Birmingham with us today. Want to check if trains are running? Use our timetable to view live train times from Manchester to Birmingham.

*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.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Manchester to Birmingham?

Want to know more about your journey from Manchester to Birmingham? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do I travel from Manchester to Birmingham?

You can get from Manchester to Birmingham by train in 1 hour and 37 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 1 hour and 28 minutes. You can also take the bus from Manchester to Birmingham. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Manchester to Birmingham take?

The average journey time by train between Manchester and Birmingham is 1 hour and 37 minutes, with around 42 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.

How much does the train from Manchester to Birmingham cost?

Train tickets from Manchester to Birmingham can start from as little as £7.80 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book.

What's the fastest journey time between Manchester and Birmingham by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Manchester to Birmingham is 1 hour and 28 minutes.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Manchester to Birmingham?

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. Book in advance

Train tickets from Manchester to Birmingham start at £7.80§ one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. UK train companies usually release Advance tickets up to 12 weeks ahead of time, and these can be cheaper than tickets bought on the day of travel.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 Manchester to Birmingham 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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