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Trains from Manchester to London Waterloo

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Avanti West Coast
Chiltern Railways

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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 London Waterloo

Trains to London Waterloo from Manchester

It takes an average of 5h 6m to travel from Manchester to London Waterloo by train, over a distance of around 163 miles (263 km). There are normally 192 trains per day travelling from Manchester to London Waterloo and tickets for this journey start from £39.50 when you book in advance.

First train

03:32

Last train

00:48

Departure stationManchester
Arrival stationLondon Waterloo
Journey time

From 2h 34m

Distance

163 miles (263 km)

Frequency

192 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £39.50

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, London North Eastern Railway, London Overground, Thameslink, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales

What are the train times from Manchester to London Waterloo?

Check out the next trains departing from Manchester to London Waterloo for Tuesday 20th October 2026 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.
DepartsArrivesDuration
11:5414:442h 50m, 1 change
12:1415:022h 48m, 1 change
12:3415:162h 42m, 1 change
12:5415:442h 50m, 1 change
13:1416:022h 48m, 1 change
13:3416:182h 44m, 1 change
13:5416:462h 52m, 1 change
14:1417:032h 49m, 1 change
14:3417:172h 43m, 1 change
14:5417:442h 50m, 1 change

Trains to London Waterloo from Manchester

Want to travel from Manchester to London Waterloo by train? Start your journey with us.

It takes an average of 5 hours 6 minutes to travel from Manchester to London Waterloo by train. You'll find on average 192 trains per day running on this route.

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

Trains on this route are operated by London North Eastern Railway, Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway and Transport for Wales.

The journey from Manchester to London Waterloo starts at £39.50. 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 Manchester to London Waterloo?

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

How do you travel to London Waterloo from Manchester?

To get to London Waterloo from Manchester, why not take the train? With 192 trains per day and an average journey time of 5 hours and 6 minutes, taking the train is a great way to travel. See our Journey Planner for up-to-date times and prices.

How long does it take to get from Manchester to London Waterloo by train?

On average, it takes around 5 hours and 6 minutes to travel from Manchester to London Waterloo by train, although you can get there in 2 hours and 34 minutes on the fastest services. With 192 trains per day running on this route, journey times may vary, so check our Journey Planner for more information.

How much is the train ticket from Manchester to London Waterloo?

The price of a train ticket from Manchester to London Waterloo can start from as little as £39.50, depending on the time of day, route and class you book. Train tickets may also be cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day.

How fast can trains travel from Manchester to London Waterloo?

The fastest time a train can travel the 163 miles (263 km) from Manchester to London Waterloo is 2 hours and 34 minutes.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Manchester to London Waterloo?

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 London Waterloo start at £39.50§ 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 London Waterloo 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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