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Journey Information
There are 16 intercity coaches per day from Leicester to Manchester. Traveling by coach from Leicester to Manchester usually takes around 5 hours and 37 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus coach can make the trip in 2 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 74 mi (119 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 35m |
| Cheapest price | US$2.13 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | National Express |
| Coach lines | 3 |
Coaches from Leicester to Manchester
- FlixBus: 1 daily coaches from US$2
- Megabus: 2 daily coaches from US$15
- National Express: 13 daily coaches from US$15
How much is a coach ticket from Leicester to Manchester?
US$23.72 is the average price of a bus ticket from Leicester to Manchester. Taking a bus is an affordable way to make this trip. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
Monthly average prices
What coach companies travel from Leicester to Manchester?
There are 3 bus lines from Leicester to Manchester available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 13 daily trips, National Express usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 1 | 2h 50m | US$15.14 |
| Megabus | 2 | 4h 58m | US$20.48 |
| National Express | 13 | 5h 58m | US$27.94 |
First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 1 trips from Leicester to Manchester, and usually makes the trip in about 2 hours and 50 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Founded in 2003, Megabus UK was created to provide travelers with greener, more straightforward and smarter travel. The carrier has routes all across the United Kingdom in England, Scotland, and Wales. The Megabus UK fleet, easily distinguishable by its dark blue and yellow colors, has free Wi-Fi, outlets and charging ports, onboard restrooms, and 20 kg luggage allowances on each bus.
National Express is probably the UK's best-known bus company, offering intercity services to London, Manchester, Southampton, and Edinburgh. Onboard the single and double-decker vehicles, travelers enjoy a good amount of legroom – roomier than airlines have in coach class – alongside WiFi, restrooms, and air conditioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The coach takes an average of 5 hours and 37 minutes to cover the 74 miles from Leicester to Manchester. However, the fastest coach only takes 2 hours and 35 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual coach may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
"Sunday tends to be the busiest day for coaches, as many passengers take the coach to Manchester at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the coach, traveling mid-week is your best bet."
The first coach leaves at 02:00 and the last coach leaves at 23:00. To see the times for all coaches from Leicester to Manchester, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 16 scheduled coaches that travel from Leicester to Manchester every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct coach. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different coach at any point during your trip. Direct coaches also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Leicester to Manchester; ticket prices start at US$31.64.
City Information
Leicester
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Leicester, located in the county of Leicestershire in the East Midlands, is a city with much to explore. Leicester's cultural diversity and large student population mean the city is filled with a wide variety of experiences.
Leicester Cathedral and Belvoir Castle are a must-visit for those looking to discover the past. Leicester is also famous for being the final resting place of King Richard III, with a visitor centre built around the location to tell the story of one of the most famous monarchs in English history. For a broader look at history, try the Leicester Museum and Art Gallery to learn about the Mesozoic era as well as Ancient Egypt.
If your interests lie more in futuristic endeavours, visit the National Space Centre to take a trip through time and space. Leicester is also home to many traditional English pubs and quaint cafes, making it a great place to sit back, relax and enjoy the moment.
Leicester is easily accessible by train, with Leicester Rail Station serving East Midlands and Thameslink trains. St Margaret's Bus Station is located centrally and serves National Express coaches. If you're travelling from further afield, East Midlands Airport and Birmingham Airport are both close to Leicester.
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 does the coach leave from in Leicester?
Image credit: Eddie Leslie
Link to image attributionMain departure station: LEICESTER, St Margarets Bus Station
Located slightly north of Leicester's city centre, St Margaret's Bus Station is a modern facility that is the first carbon-neutral structure of its kind in the UK. Containing a café, seating area, and real-time departures and arrivals information, the station serves both local buses and long-distance coaches. The latter are predominantly operated by National Express, with regular services to London, Manchester, Birmingham, Gatwick Airport, and Stansted Airport. There is a pedestrian link to Haymarket Bus Station, where additional local buses depart.
All coach stations in Leicester:
LEICESTER, St Margarets Bus Station
Asda Bus Stop
Leicester St Margarets Bus Station
Where does the coach arrive in Manchester?
Image credit: Mikey
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Manchester Coach Station
A short walk from the city centre, Manchester Coach Station is located on Chorlton Street on the ground floor of a multistory car park. It has basic facilities including restrooms, food kiosks, and a small newsagent. The station's shops are open between 06:30 am and 7:00 pm each day. Neighbouring streets offer several bars and other food options. As a major hub for National Express, this station is the departing point for trips to Birmingham, London, Northern Ireland, and Ireland. Local buses depart from streetside shelters outside the station.
Coach stations in Manchester:
Manchester Coach Station
Miles Platting
New Moston
Shudehill Interchange (Stand G)
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