Lowest Prices
We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Trip Summary
There are 56 daily trains from Manchester to Bolton. Traveling by train from Manchester to Bolton usually takes around 35 minutes, but the fastest Northern Rail train can make the trip in 18 minutes.
| Distance | 10 mi (16 km) |
| Fastest train | 0h 18m |
| Lowest price | $3.74 |
| Trains per day | 102 |
| Most frequent service | Northern Rail |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Manchester to Bolton?
2 train services operate from Manchester to Bolton. Northern Rail usually has more trains scheduled, with 55 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Rail | 55 | 0h 35m | $7.95 |
| Transport For Wales | 1 | 0h 54m | $12.46 |
Northern Rail, branded simply as 'Northern' on its trains, travels to cities such as Manchester, Blackpool, Windermere, Newcastle, and York. Complimentary WiFi is usually available in first- and standard-class carriages, plus an onboard restroom. The newer trains boast extra legroom, and all services have space for luggage at the end of carriages.
Transport for Wales is a trusted provider of passenger rail travel in Wales and the border region with England. Popular trips include Chester to Church Stretton, Caldicot to Cardiff Central station, and Manchester to London. Passengers onboard can enjoy complimentary WiFi and various options for onboard meals, from either a café car or at-seat trolley service for snacks, sodas, and hot drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Manchester to Bolton on Friday. Tickets for Friday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Friday. Friday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Manchester at 5:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00pm. 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 56 scheduled trains on most days. 102 of these are direct connections to Bolton. 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 Bolton to Manchester.
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 Manchester?
Main departure station: Manchester Victoria
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 9 stops and stations in Manchester where you can board the train.
All train stations in Manchester:
Manchester Victoria
Moston Station
Manchester Oxford Rd Station
Deansgate
Manchester Piccadilly Station
East Didsbury
Levenshulme
Burnage
Mauldeth Rd
Where is the train station in Bolton?
Main arrival station: Lostock
There are more train stations and stops in Bolton than most cities. Most trains from Manchester will stop at one (or more) of the 5 following stations in Bolton:
Train stations in Bolton:
Lostock
Bromley Cross Station
Hall-i'-th'-Wood Station
Bolton Station
Moses Gate Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Bolton to Manchester?
Search Train Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more