It takes an average of 2h 39m to travel from London to Manchester by train, over a distance of around 163 miles (262 km). There are normally 61 trains per day travelling from London to Manchester and tickets for this journey start from £23.30 when you book in advance.
First train | 05:10 | |
---|---|---|
Last train | 22:03 | |
Departure station | London | |
Arrival station | Manchester | |
Journey time | From 2h 6m | |
Distance | 163 miles (262 km) | |
Frequency | 61 trains per day | |
Changes | Direct trains available | |
Price | From £23.30 | |
Train operators |
Want to travel from London to Manchester by train? Start your journey with us.
The train from London to Manchester usually takes around 2h 29m but can take just 2h 3m on the fastest services, with around 50 trains running on this popular route per day. As soon as you board the train, you'll be able to make yourself comfortable and enjoy the journey as direct services are available.
You'll be travelling with Avanti West Coast on this route. Just sit back, relax and enjoy Avanti’s onboard services, including free WiFi and a bar carriage offering snacks and drinks.
Want to snap up the cheapest fares? Read our top tips for finding cheap train tickets from London to Manchester below or check out the latest train deals and discounts:
If you're ready to book, start a search for cheap train tickets to Manchester with us today. Want to check if trains are running? Use our timetable to view live train times from London to Manchester.
If you’re hoping to spend some time in Manchester but not sure how to get there, check out our guide on the best way to travel from London to Manchester.
*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.
The average journey time by train between London and Manchester is 2 hours and 39 minutes, with around 61 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.
The fastest journey time by train from London to Manchester is 2 hours and 6 minutes.
Train ticket prices from London to Manchester can start from as little as £23.30 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.
Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Manchester without having to change trains. There are 61 direct trains from London to Manchester each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
The first train from London to Manchester leaves at 05:10. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
The last train from London to Manchester leaves at 22:03. 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.
Trains travelling from London to Manchester cover a distance of around 163 miles (262 km) during the journey.
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Manchester to London. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from London to Manchester.
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.
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 London to Manchester is right for you.
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.
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.
If you want to travel from London to Manchester, choose the more sustainable option - choose train!
Taking the train instead of driving lowers your CO2 impact by a whopping 67%.* Keep it simple, keep it low-carbon.
What's faster or cheaper than flying from London to Manchester? Ah yes, that'd be the train. Cheaper even without a Railcard, too. Win for you. Win for the planet.
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.
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 London and Manchester, 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.)