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Outbound fromStansted Airport to Manchester by train
It takes an average of 5h 14m to travel from Stansted Airport to Manchester by train, over a distance of around 152 miles (245 km). There are normally 45 trains per day travelling from Stansted Airport to Manchester and tickets for this journey start from £23.70 when you book in advance.
| First train | 05:20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 22:57 | |
| Departure station | Stansted Airport | |
| Arrival station | Manchester | |
| Journey time | From 4h 12m | |
| Distance | 152 miles (245 km) | |
| Frequency | 45 trains per day | |
| Changes | 1 change | |
| Price | From £23.70 | |
| Train operators | CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, Great Northern, Greater Anglia, East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, London North Eastern Railway, Grand Central Railway |
How to travel from Stansted Airport to Manchester by train
Want to find out more about taking the train from Stansted Airport to Manchester? Look no further.
You'll usually find 45 trains per day running between Stansted Airport and Manchester, which usually take 5 hours 14 minutes to complete the 152 miles (245 km) journey. It can take as little as 4 hours 12 minutes on the fastest services though, if you want to get there as quickly as possible. Although there aren't any direct services on this line, it's still easy to travel to Manchester by train, you'll just need to make 1 change along the way. London North Eastern Railway, Avanti West Coast or Greater Anglia are the main rail operators on this route, all of which offer modern trains with plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating.
Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices and we'll show you how much you can save. Tickets from Stansted Airport to Manchester start from £23.70 when you book in advance. Travelling Off-Peak or using a Railcard can also help you save.
Keen to book your train tickets to Manchester? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train timetable with live train times above, and tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs further down the page.
FAQs about the train journey from Stansted Airport to Manchester
Want to know more about your journey from Stansted Airport to Manchester? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Are there any direct trains from Stansted Airport to Manchester?
How far is the train ride from Stansted Airport to Manchester?
Can I take a flight-free trip from Stansted Airport to Manchester?
What is the best way to travel to Manchester from Stansted Airport?
What time does the first train run from Stansted Airport to Manchester?
How late does the train from Stansted Airport to Manchester run?
How many trains go from Stansted Airport to Manchester per day?
When do tickets from Stansted Airport to Manchester go on sale?
Planning a round trip from Stansted Airport to Manchester?
Cheap train tickets from Stansted Airport 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 Stansted Airport 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.