background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Cheap train tickets from Manchester to London

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

chiku-mobile

Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:

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.

See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Manchester to London Train Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$42.10
No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

Trip Summary

There are usually 11 daily train trips available from Manchester to London. Traveling by train from Manchester to London usually takes 2 hours and 23 minutes, but the fastest Avanti West Coast train can make the trip in 2 hours and 6 minutes.

Distance163 mi (262 km)
Fastest train2h 6m
Lowest price$51.49
Trains per day10
Most frequent serviceAvanti West Coast
Train lines3

Wander into savings: Get deals in your inbox!
newsletter-header1

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

Which train should you take from Manchester to London?

There are 3 train lines with service from Manchester to London. Avanti West Coast is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 10 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Avanti West Coast102h 21m$129.41
CrossCountry12h 42m$204.06
Transport For Wales13h 7m$133.63
  • 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.

  • 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 Manchester to London usually takes about 2 hours and 42 minutes on a CrossCountry train. There are 1 trips on this route every day, and 0 daily trips on weekends.

  • 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 about traveling by train from Manchester to London

The distance between Manchester and London is approximately 163 miles, or 262 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 23 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 6 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

Thursday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Manchester to London. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Thursday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Monday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Manchester at 5:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 2:00pm. 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 11 scheduled trains on most days. 10 of these are direct connections to London. 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 London to Manchester.

City Information

Manchester

Manchester, UK - GBEIS-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Manchester, UK - GBEIS-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Manchester, UK - GBEIS-2

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.

London

One of the most important cities in the world, London is where the traditional blends seamlessly with the modern. As a vibrant modern city, London has something for everyone. For visitors interested in the Royal Family as well as their history, check out Buckingham Palace. The palace is open all days in summer, but only on selected days in winter. The Tower of London, where the crown jewels are put on exhibition, is also a great spot to check out. For fans of history, you might not want to miss out on the famous British Museum, considered by many to be the best museum in all of London. The museum currently carries an impressive collection of 8 million historic objects from all around the world, making it an eye-opening destination for many.

London’s food scene reflects its multiculturalism. Here you can find restaurants serving cuisines from various countries around the world, from India to Malaysia. If you opt for a lavish dining experience, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, run by the famous chef himself, will be a great choice. Also don’t forget to stop by at a local pub and enjoy the beer like a true Londoner.

The city’s centers of intercity rail services are King’s Cross Station and Euston Station, from which you can take a train to other places in the UK or hop on the Eurostar train to Paris and beyond. The largest coach station in the city is Victoria Coach Station, serving big local carriers like National Express. The city’s air services are fulfilled by eight airports, of which London Heathrow Airport, located west of the city, is the busiest one.

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 London?

Main arrival station: Euston railway station (Stop B)

London has one train station.

Train stations in London:

  • Euston railway station (Stop B)

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in London by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from London 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. 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.