Cheap bus tickets from Manchester to Liverpool

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Bus from Manchester to Liverpool: Journey Information

There are 104 intercity buses per day from Manchester to Liverpool. Travelling by bus from Manchester to Liverpool usually takes around 1 hour and 22 minutes, but the fastest National Express bus can make the trip in 35 minutes.

Distance: 31 mi (50 km)
Shortest duration: 35m
Cheapest price: $4.66
Trips per day: 104
Most frequent service: National Express
Bus lines: 2

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Manchester to Liverpool Bus Schedule

There are several bus options that can take you from Manchester to Liverpool:

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Manchester to Liverpool?

Bus tickets for a trip from Manchester to Liverpool cost about $12 when you book at the cheapest time, 15 days ahead. This is an excellent value for the trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average bus ticket prices from Manchester to Liverpool by travel date

If you're planning to travel by bus from Manchester to Liverpool in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $13 to $13. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 4, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Liverpool this week, bus tickets are available starting at $13.

Average bus ticket prices from Manchester to Liverpool by month

Travelling from Manchester to Liverpool by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $14 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 15 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $0.78 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Manchester to Liverpool?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Manchester to Liverpool that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, National Express usually offers more choice, with 96 scheduled trips per day.

Bus	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
FlixBus	8	1h 31m	$8.24
National Express	96	1h 21m	$12.93

First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 8 trips from Manchester to Liverpool, and usually makes the trip in about 1 hour and 31 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as washrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
National Express is probably the UK's best-known bus company, offering intercity services to London, Manchester, Southampton, and Edinburgh. Onboard the single and double-decker vehicles, travellers enjoy a good amount of legroom – roomier than airlines have in coach class – alongside WiFi, washrooms, and air conditioning.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by bus from Manchester to Liverpool

There are 104 scheduled buses that travel from Manchester to Liverpool every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Manchester to Liverpool without transferring.

Trips per day

104

Direct trips

104

The bus takes an average of 1 hour and 22 minutes to cover the 50 kilometres from Manchester to Liverpool. However, the fastest bus only takes 35 minutes. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Distance (mi)

Distance (km)

The first bus leaves at 12:05 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 11:35 p.m. To see the times for all buses from Manchester to Liverpool, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

12:05am

Latest bus

11:35pm

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Liverpool at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.

Most crowded

Sunday

Least crowded

Monday

City Information

Manchester

Most recognizable for its world-famous football team, Manchester is a modern, vibrant city with a diverse range of attractions that will appeal to explorers of all kinds. Often referred to as “The Capital of the North,” Manchester is also known for being the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Visitors can relive this booming era by taking a trip to the Science and Industry Museum to see how this previously small town changed the world's ideas of industry and manufacturing forever. These days, Manchester is famous for its music and art scene, with it being the birthplace of bands like The Smiths and Oasis.

Art and music-lovers may want to visit Afflecks, a vast and eclectic emporium of all things indie and grunge, to purchase records, artwork, and memorabilia, among many other things. Manchester is also home to 15 parks and gardens, with Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens among the most popular. This park provides a beautiful setting for picnics and scenic walks, perfect for when you need an escape from the bustling city.

And if you really are only here for the football, both Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium are stops on our itinerary to visit every premier league stadium in England.

With three large train stations—Piccadilly, Oxford Road, and Victoria—Manchester is easily accessible via rail. National Express and Megabus coaches also allow access from all over the country. In addition, Manchester Airport houses three large terminals, which provide global entry to the city.

Liverpool

Although Liverpool is only England's 10th largest city, its fame ballooned as the birthplace of the world's biggest rock band: The Beatles. Visiting Liverpool would not be complete without a trip to the iconic Beatles Statue, located near the port, followed by a visit to The Beatles Story museum, where visitors can immerse themselves in the band's rise to fame.

To explore some of Liverpool's older history, the Merseyside Maritime Museum provides fascinating exhibits on the city's great port-town past, including exhibitions on the Titanic as well as the Battle of the Atlantic. Football fanatics should check out the world-famous Anfield Stadium, where regular tours help visitors revel in the history and glory of this iconic football club.

Travelling to Liverpool is easy thanks to several rail providers, which facilitate travel around the Liverpool City Region and beyond. Liverpool also has two significant bus terminals for access via coach and an international airport for those travelling from further afield.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Manchester?

Main departure station: Manchester Coach Station

A short walk from the city centre, Manchester Coach Station is located on Chorlton Street on the ground floor of a multistory parking garage. It has basic facilities including washrooms, food kiosks, and a small newsagent. The station's shops are open between 06:30 am and 7:00 pm each day. Neighbouring streets offer several bars and other food options. As a major hub for National Express, this station is the departing point for trips to Birmingham, London, Northern Ireland, and Ireland. Local buses depart from streetside shelters outside the station.

All bus stations in Manchester:

Manchester Coach Station
Miles Platting
Shudehill Interchange (Stand G)

Where does the bus arrive in Liverpool?

Main arrival station: ONE Coach Station

Buses arrive in Liverpool at 6 stations, depending on which bus line you are travelling with.

All bus stations in Liverpool:

ONE Coach Station
Edge Lane Drive Bus Stop
University of Liverpool
Liverpool Botanic Park
Kwik Fit
Wavertree Shopping Centre

Need a return trip from Liverpool to Manchester?

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