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Trip Summary
10 trains operate daily from Watford to Manchester. The train trip from Watford to Manchester is usually about 2 hours and 37 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Avanti West Coast train can get you there in as little as 2 hours and 4 minutes.
| Distance | 148 mi (238 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 4m |
| Lowest price | $87.25 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | West Midlands Railway |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Watford to Manchester?
2 train services operate from Watford to Manchester. West Midlands Railway usually has more trains scheduled, with 9 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avanti West Coast | 1 | 2h 5m | $335.64 |
| West Midlands Railway | 9 | 2h 41m | $267.59 |
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.
West Midlands Railway train tickets from Watford to Manchester start from $87, and on average cost . Daily there are 9 West Midlands Railway schedules to Manchester. West Midlands Railway in Watford leaves from Watford Junction . And in Manchester trains arrive at Manchester Piccadilly Station .
From Watford to Manchester train travel on West Midlands Railway takes 2 hours and 41 minutes. If you are looking to get to Manchester faster, West Midlands Railway offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 4 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Friday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Watford to Manchester. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Friday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Friday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Watford at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 3:00pm. 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 10 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Watford to Manchester. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Manchester to Watford.
City Information
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 Watford?
Main departure station: Watford Junction
There is one train station in Watford.
All train stations in Watford:
Watford Junction
Where is the train station in Manchester?
Main arrival station: Manchester Piccadilly Station
Manchester has one train station.
Train stations in Manchester:
Manchester Piccadilly Station
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Need a return trip from Manchester to Watford?
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