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How to get to Manchester by train
| Routes | 21 |
| Trips per day | 161 |
| train lines | 21 |
| Stations | 4 |
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About 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 Man U, 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.
What train companies travel to Manchester, United Kingdom?
Located in United Kingdom, Manchester is accessible by train from 21 other cities. You can choose from 161 daily scheduled trips when you search for trains to Manchester on Wanderu. Avanti West Coast usually has the most trains on any given day.
Looking for other ways to get there? Bus tickets to Manchester are also available..
Train companies serving Manchester
| Train | Routes | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Rail | 13 | 0h 55m | $16.93 |
| Avanti West Coast | 10 | 2h 27m | $141.12 |
| West Midlands Railway | 9 | 2h 12m | $112.00 |
| Great Western Railway | 8 | 3h 46m | $242.70 |
| South Western Railway | 8 | 4h 17m | $226.77 |
| East Midlands Railway | 7 | 2h 11m | $87.26 |
| Southern | 7 | 4h 21m | $206.34 |
| CrossCountry | 7 | 2h 2m | $88.51 |
| Transport For Wales | 6 | 2h 44m | $56.83 |
| ScotRail | 5 | 3h 56m | $107.92 |
Avanti West Coast is one of the primary rail links between London and Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. On any given day, Avanti West Coast operates almost 300 routes and departs hourly from select destinations.
UK's South Western Railway operates passenger rail services in London's, Windsor, Reading, and Southampton. Both standard class and first-class seating are available, with the first-class section clearly marked and physically separated from the rest of the train by internal doorways. These cars offer more space and quiet away from the more crowded areas.
Southern Railway is part of the British rail network serving stations predominantly between central London and the British south coast. Destinations include Brighton, Gatwick Airport, and Worthing. WiFi and accessible restrooms are available on most trains, plus the option to upgrade to a first-class ticket with extra legroom.
CrossCountry operates an extensive rail network in the U.K., centered in Birmingham. In standard class, passengers enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, power outlets, and onboard restrooms. Trains also contain a small café or a trolley that passes through the carriages. An upgrade to first-class gives passengers more legroom and complimentary food.
Which train carrier has the best service to Manchester?
Based on customers travel reviews, travelers who booked on Wanderu rave about traveling to Manchester by train with Avanti West Coast giving them a 3.5 rating out of 5.
Travelers also mentioned that Avanti West Coast had the most comfortable train service to Manchester taking into account the seats and amenities that Avanti West Coast offers. They rate Avanti West Coast a 4.5 out of 5 when it comes to just how relaxing and enjoyable their experience was onboard.
If you are looking to arrive to Manchester punctually, travelers suggest that Avanti West Coast has the best on time performance on their train schedules to Manchester, rating them a 3 based on their on time arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The busiest train station in Manchester is Manchester Piccadilly Station. There are several other active stations in addition to this main station. The most popular train stations in Manchester are:
- Manchester Piccadilly Station
- Manchester Victoria
- Manchester Oxford Rd Station
| Departure | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|
| St Helens | 0h 41m | $18.40 |
| Ringway | 0h 17m | $5.74 |
| Huddersfield | 0h 56m | $29.30 |
| Ryde | 6h 25m | $216.08 |
| Middlesbrough | 3h 8m | $70.33 |
Top train routes to and from Manchester
Popular train routes in Europe
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