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Trip Summary
15 trains operate daily from Darlington to Manchester. The train trip from Darlington to Manchester is usually about 2 hours and 2 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest TransPennine Express train can get you there in as little as one hour and 43 minutes.
| Distance | 77 mi (124 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 43m |
| Lowest price | £16.90 |
| Trains per day | 10 |
| Most frequent service | TransPennine Express |
| Train lines | 3 |
Train service from Darlington to Manchester
- CrossCountry tickets: £36 one-way
- London North Eastern Railway tickets: £39 one-way
- TransPennine Express tickets: £17 one-way
Which train should you take from Darlington to Manchester?
There are 3 train lines with service from Darlington to Manchester. TransPennine Express is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 10 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossCountry | 3 | 2h 19m | £47.13 |
| London North Eastern Railway | 2 | 2h 19m | £50.13 |
| TransPennine Express | 10 | 1h 53m | £26.20 |
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 Darlington to Manchester usually takes about 2 hours and 19 minutes on a CrossCountry train. There are 3 trips on this route every day, and 0 daily trips on weekends.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is a privately-owned train company that operates passenger services on behalf of the UK government. LNER manages the prestigious East Coast mainline route, connecting London King's Cross Station to various cities, including Leeds, Bradford, and Hull. With a comprehensive network of 55 stations and a fleet of approximately 75 trains, LNER facilitates numerous daily journeys, offering standard and first-class ticket options.
TransPennine Express train tickets from Darlington to Manchester start from £17, and on average cost . Daily there are 10 TransPennine Express schedules to Manchester. TransPennine Express in Darlington leaves from Darlington Station . And in Manchester trains arrive at Manchester Victoria and one other train station.
From Darlington to Manchester train travel on TransPennine Express takes 1 hours and 53 minutes. If you are looking to get to Manchester faster, TransPennine Express offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 1 hours and 43 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trains from Darlington to Manchester are the most crowded on Saturday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Darlington at 04:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 17:00. 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 15 scheduled trains on most days. 10 of these are direct connections to Manchester. 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 Manchester to Darlington.
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 Darlington?
Main departure station: Darlington Station
There is one train station in Darlington.
All train stations in Darlington:
Darlington Station
Where is the train station in Manchester?
Main arrival station: Manchester Victoria
Manchester receives travelers from Darlington at its two active train stations.
Train stations in Manchester:
Manchester Victoria
Manchester Piccadilly Station
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Need a return trip from Manchester to Darlington?
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