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Trip Summary
You can pick from 16 daily train trips between Bristol and Manchester. The average train journey from Bristol to Manchester takes 3 hours and 32 minutes, but some CrossCountry train trips are as short as 3 hours.
| Distance | 141 mi (227 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 0m |
| Lowest price | $82.05 |
| Trains per day | 4 |
| Most frequent service | CrossCountry + Connections |
| Train lines | 3 |
Train service from Bristol to Manchester
- CrossCountry tickets: C$81 one-way
- CrossCountry + Connections tickets: C$87 one-way
- Great Western Railway + Connections tickets: C$164 one-way
Which train should you take from Bristol to Manchester?
There are 3 train lines with service from Bristol to Manchester. CrossCountry + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 10 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossCountry | 5 | 3h 3m | $146.82 |
| CrossCountry + Connections | 10 | 3h 46m | $144.46 |
| Great Western Railway + Connections | 1 | 3h 45m | $164.73 |
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. The journey from Bristol to Manchester usually takes about 3 hours and 3 minutes on a CrossCountry train. There are 5 trips on this route every day, and 0 daily trips on weekends.
CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Bristol to Manchester start from $88, and on average cost . Daily there are 10 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Manchester. CrossCountry + Connections in Bristol leaves from Bristol Temple Meads . And in Manchester trains arrive at Manchester Airport and one other train station.
From Bristol to Manchester train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 3 hours and 46 minutes. If you are looking to get to Manchester faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 0 minutes.
Great Western Railway + Connections train tickets from Bristol to Manchester start from $165, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 Great Western Railway + Connections schedules to Manchester. Great Western Railway + Connections in Bristol leaves from Bristol Temple Meads . And in Manchester trains arrive at Manchester Piccadilly .
From Bristol to Manchester train travel on Great Western Railway + Connections takes 3 hours and 45 minutes. If you are looking to get to Manchester faster, Great Western Railway + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 0 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Bristol and Manchester is approximately 141 miles, or 227 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 32 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours,
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Bristol to Manchester on Saturday. Tickets for Saturday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Saturday. Saturday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Bristol at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 16 scheduled trains on most days. 4 of these are direct connections to Manchester. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Manchester to Bristol.
City Information
Bristol
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Situated on the River Avon, Bristol is the most populous city in South West England. Known for its vibrant culture, Bristol comprises distinct areas, each with its own atmosphere. For example, the Stokes Croft area is filled with independent cafes and vintage shops, while the Clifton suburb hosts unique boutiques and beautiful Georgian architecture.
Bristol Zoo is a must-see for animal lovers, where visitors can discover over 300 different animal species and then enjoy lunch in The Hide restaurant. If nautical history is your thing, then step aboard Brunel's SS Great Britain to immerse yourself in 19th-century-era travel, with tours of the whole ship and docks available. More contemporary interests may be piqued when you learn that Bristol is the hometown of the famous street artist Banksy. Many walking tours are available daily to explore the city's renowned street art and local history.
Access to the city is made simple by a wealth of public transport, with rail, road, bus, and air links available. Bristol Airport provides international and national access, and the Great Western Railway trains enable easy access from London and other cities. Several national and regional bus services also serve Bristol.
Manchester
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Bristol?
Image credit: Ben17_34
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Julie anne Johnson
Link to image attribution
Image credit: jocki84
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Bristol Temple Meads
Bristol Temple Meads was built in 1840 as the western terminus for the Great Western Railway from London. It is a route the station still serves, while Cross Country services now connect it to Manchester and Edinburgh, as well. Bristol Temple Meads is also a hub for city buses, including the Bristol Airport Flyer and, more unusually, a ferry service across the river. The main concourse is home to restrooms, newsagents' kiosks, and food outlets. In the Temple Meads area of Bristol, plenty of parking, hotels, and pubs await travelers arriving by train.
All train stations in Bristol:
Bristol Temple Meads
Where is the train station in Manchester?
Image credit: North West Transport Photos
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Manchester Airport
Refurbished in 2004 and 2014, Manchester Airport Station is a combined rail, Metrolink tram, and bus station. Referred to as "The Station" on signage, it is linked to the airport terminals by the Sky Link elevated walkway. Northern, TransPennine Express, and Transport for Wales operate rail services, with destinations including central Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. National Express and Megabus also operate frequent buses to and from the airport. The Metrolink tram connects with Manchester Victoria rail station, located much closer to the center of Manchester.
Train stations in Manchester:
Manchester Airport
Manchester Piccadilly
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Need a return trip from Manchester to Bristol?
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