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Low prices found by our customers
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.

Manchester to London by train

It takes an average of 2h 37m to travel from Manchester to London by train, over a distance of around 163 miles (262 km). There are normally 55 trains per day travelling from Manchester to London and tickets for this journey start from £21 when you book in advance.

First train

04:03

Last train

21:15

Departure station

Manchester

Arrival station

London

Journey time

From 2h 6m

Distance

163 miles (262 km)

Frequency

55 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £21

Train operators

Avanti West Coast

Travelling from Manchester to London by train

🍃 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 taking the train from Manchester to London? We’ve got you covered.

The train from Manchester to London usually takes around 2h 21m but can take just 2h 3m on the fastest services, with around 55 trains running on this popular route per day. Once you're on board, you can sit back and relax, as you won’t need to make any changes along the way.

You'll be travelling with Avanti West Coast on this route. All Avanti trains offer free WiFi, power sockets and plenty of room for luggage with racks at either end of the carriage and sometimes also in the middle. There’s also a well-stocked bar carriage on board where you can purchase hot and cold drinks and snacks throughout your journey. If you’re travelling in First Class, you’ll enjoy an at-seat dining menu with the added bonus of real cutlery!

How to get cheap train tickets from Manchester to London

Want to snap up the cheapest fares? Read our top tips for finding cheap train tickets from Manchester to London below or check out the latest train deals and discounts:

  • Get a Railcard: Save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year
  • Book in advance: Most train companies in the UK usually release tickets 12 weeks in advance
  • Travel Off-Peak: Tickets are usually cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends compared to Peak times
  • Use GroupSave: If you're travelling in a group of 3-9 people, you can save up to 34% on eligible journeys at Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak times
  • Split your train tickets with SplitSave, our new split-ticketing app feature.

If you want to know more about the journey to London from Manchester by train, keep reading for timetables, tips on finding cheap tickets and FAQs including first and last train times. Want to go straight to booking? Start a search with us today!

*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.

Journey details

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

How long does the train from Manchester to London take?

The average journey time by train between Manchester and London is 2 hours and 37 minutes, with around 55 trains per day. 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 Manchester and London by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Manchester to London is 2 hours and 6 minutes.

How much does the train from Manchester to London cost?

Train ticket prices from Manchester to London can start from as little as £21 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from Manchester to London?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Manchester to London without having to change trains. There are 55 direct trains from Manchester to London each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from Manchester to London leave?

The first train from Manchester to London leaves at 04:03. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Manchester to London leave?

The last train from Manchester to London leaves at 21:15. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between Manchester and London by train?

Trains travelling from Manchester to London cover a distance of around 163 miles (262 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from London to Manchester. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from Manchester to London.

Cheap train tickets from Manchester to London

Train tickets from Manchester to London start at £21 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

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 Manchester to London 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.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

Why should I travel by train from Manchester to London?

If you want to travel from Manchester to London, choose the 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 Manchester to London? 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 Manchester and London, 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.)

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team blog

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. We also believe about taking those journeys and sharing our experiences with you, so you can sit back, relax and get the most out of your trip.

Manchester to London, a First-Class experience by train

After a few days in Manchester for work, it was time for the return south and home via London Euston. I always look forward to the train journey, one time I even saw Jimmy Carr onboard!

For business, I always try and book as far in advance as possible to save on the First-Class fare. Not only saving a little bit of money on the fare but also having something to look forward to on the way back.

Manchester Piccadilly is a big, light, airy railway station with plenty of eateries and shops if you need to grab anything before boarding the Avanti West Coast train. I made my way down the platform to the First-Class carriage, settling into the comfy seat and popping my phone on charge.

As always there are some great people onboarding looking after you and today was no exception. The refreshments included with the fare make it an even better journey and before you realise, the Pendolino train begins to snake its way out of the city.

Throughout the whole journey to London, I found myself staring out of the window as the countryside flew by swapping from green fields and rivers to towns and city scenes. One of the things I love about the Pendolino trains is the windows, they are huge!

I still find it remarkable that in just over 2 hours I can be from Manchester city centre to London Euston and 2/3 of the way home.

About Richard

Richard, a Trainline employee, chose to share his experience of the journey between Manchester and London.

† 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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