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Trip Summary
You can pick from 6 daily train trips between Manchester and Watford. The average train journey from Manchester to Watford takes 2 hours and 49 minutes, but some Avanti West Coast train trips are as short as 2 hours and 36 minutes.
| Distance | 148 mi (238 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 36m |
| Lowest price | $59.67 |
| Most frequent service | Avanti West Coast |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Manchester to Watford?
Avanti West Coast is the one and only train line which connects Manchester to Watford. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avanti West Coast | 6 | 2h 50m | $190.06 |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Manchester to Watford on Thursday. Tickets for Thursday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Thursday. Thursday 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 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 6 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Watford 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 Piccadilly Station
There is one train station in Manchester.
All train stations in Manchester:
Manchester Piccadilly Station
Where is the train station in Watford?
Main arrival station: Watford Junction
Watford has one train station.
Train stations in Watford:
Watford Junction
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Need a return trip from Watford to Manchester?
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