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Reading to Manchester coach

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Reading - Manchester Coach Timetable

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Journey Information

There are 6 intercity coaches per day from Reading to Manchester. Traveling by coach from Reading to Manchester usually takes around 5 hours and 47 minutes, but the fastest Megabus coach can make the trip in 4 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance150 mi (241 km)
Shortest duration4h 15m
Cheapest price£6.77
Trips per day4
Most frequent serviceMegabus
Coach lines2

How much is a coach ticket from Reading to Manchester?

£11.34 is the average price of a bus ticket from Reading to Manchester. This is currently one of the best deals in bus travel. 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

£40£32£24£16£8MJJASONDJFMA
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Reading to Manchester, mark your calendar for March. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just £20. However, taking the bus from Reading to Manchester during July is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of £25. The best way to find deals on a trip in July is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

What coach companies travel from Reading to Manchester?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Reading to Manchester that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Megabus usually offers more choice, with 5 scheduled trips per day.

CoachDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus19h 44m£21.22
Megabus55h 23m£18.84
  • 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 Reading to Manchester, and usually makes the trip in about 9 hours and 44 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The coach takes an average of 5 hours and 47 minutes to cover the 150 miles from Reading to Manchester. However, the fastest coach only takes 4 hours and 15 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

The first coach leaves at 00:00 and the last coach leaves at 11:00. To see the times for all coaches from Reading to Manchester, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 6 scheduled coaches that travel from Reading to Manchester every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 direct coaches, where you can stay on the same coach without having to transfer to a connecting coach at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Reading to Manchester; ticket prices start at £88.74.

City Information

Reading

Reading - GBREA-0

Image credit: Reading Tom

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Reading - GBREA-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Reading - GBREA-2

Image credit: Reading Tom

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Located only 20 minutes west of London, Reading is a large university and market town in the English county of Berkshire. Reading has an intriguing mix of the past and the present, with a vibrant student scene thriving among the city's medieval and Victorian architecture.

Reading sits on the River Thames, at the end-point of the Kennet and Avon Canal, so there are a number of pretty riverside walks to take in the scenery. Explore the gardens and meet the animals at Beadle Wildlife Park, a vast park crisscrossed with nature trails.

To discover the town's past, visit the Reading Museum, where you can take a trip through time from early Saxon settlements to the Industrial Revolution through 21st-century life.

Since Reading is home to a large university, you are always guaranteed exciting nightlife. Filled with many restaurants, pubs, bars, and clubs, Reading is the perfect place for a night on the town. Try The Nag's Head, The Lyndhurst, or The Purple Turtle to start your night right.

Because Reading is only a short way from London, getting to Reading is simple. Fly to one of London's large international airports for access from around the world. Reading Train Station is also one of Britain's main railway interchanges, making it easy to reach from all over the country by train. National Express coaches also operate through the city from many destinations around the United Kingdom.

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.

Station Information

Where does the coach leave from in Reading?

Main departure station: North Interchange

Coaches to Manchester leave from 3 stations in Reading.

All coach stations in Reading:

  • North Interchange

  • Trooper Potts Way

  • University - Christchurch Green

Where does the coach arrive in Manchester?

Main arrival station: Shudehill Interchange (Stand G)

These are the two stations where coaches may stop when they arrive in Manchester.

Coach stations in Manchester:

  • Shudehill Interchange (Stand G)

  • Thomas Street - Stop Nn

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from Manchester to Reading?

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