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Cheap bus tickets from Manchester to Southampton
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from Manchester to Southampton: Journey Information
There are 19 intercity buses per day from Manchester to Southampton. Travelling by bus from Manchester to Southampton usually takes around 9 hours and 1 minute, but the fastest National Express bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 25 minutes.
- Distance
- 181 mi (292 km)
- Shortest duration
- 7h 25m
- Cheapest price
- $28.91
- Trips per day
- 19
- Most frequent service
- National Express
- Bus lines
- 1
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Manchester to Southampton Bus Schedule
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Average score for buses from Manchester to Southampton (Based on 1 rating and review)
5.0
There are several bus options that can take you from Manchester to Southampton:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Manchester to Southampton?
Bus tickets for a trip from Manchester to Southampton cost about $45 when you book at the cheapest time, 16 days ahead. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this 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 Southampton by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Manchester to Southampton in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $47 to $71. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 9, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Southampton this week, bus tickets are available starting at $47.
Average bus ticket prices from Manchester to Southampton by month
Taking the bus from Manchester to Southampton is usually cheapest in January, when the average ticket price is only $57. If you're planning to take the bus from Manchester to Southampton during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $87. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
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 16 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $28.20 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Manchester to Southampton?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Manchester to Southampton. National Express connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Express | 19 | 9h 1m | $65.75 |
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 Southampton
There are 19 scheduled buses that travel from Manchester to Southampton every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.
Trips per day
19
Direct trips
0
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 1 minute to cover the 292 kilometres from Manchester to Southampton. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 25 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road 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)
181
Distance (km)
292
The first bus leaves at 2:45 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 11:55 p.m. To see the times for all buses from Manchester to Southampton, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
2:45am
Latest bus
11:55pm
Because many passengers travel from Manchester to Southampton at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.
Most crowded
Monday
Least crowded
Tuesday
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.
Southampton
Southampton is a scenic city along England's south coast, known for its history as an important port. No matter the time of year you visit, Southampton has a wealth of activities and attractions.
Your first stop is the SeaCity Museum, where you can discover the city's history and engage with the model of the RMS Titanic. Next, the Solent Sky Museum turns your attention skyward as it details Southampton's aviation history. The Southampton City Art Gallery is a hidden gem to view painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, print, and video exhibits. And if you’re on a tour of England’s premier league stadiums, Southampton’s St. Mary’s Stadium is a must.
For a unique dining experience, try the café at the Tudor House and Garden Museum. They serve local food and fantastic coffee in a home that's over 800 years old. Then, as you walk through the nearby Cultural Quarter, keep your eyes peeled for remnants of the city's medieval walls amidst the chic bars and stores.
Southampton Airport does serve international flights, but it's easy to reach Southampton even if you fly into one of London's airports. South Western Railway and Megabus provide train and bus service from London and other cities throughout the United Kingdom.
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
Where does the bus arrive in Southampton?
Main arrival station: Southampton Coach Station
National Express coaches depart from Southampton Coach Station, a five-minute walk from Southampton Central Railway Station. The coach station is close to the Marlands Shopping Centre and across the road from an ASDA supermarket. It is a small bus station with routes to places such as Bath, Birmingham, Weymouth, and more. The station building offers seating, toilets, an ATM, and a coffee shop to serve passengers travelling through Southampton.
All bus stations in Southampton:
- Southampton Coach Station
- University of Southampton
Need a return trip from Southampton to Manchester?
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