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Journey Information
There are 25 intercity buses per day from Manchester to Birmingham. Traveling by bus from Manchester to Birmingham usually takes around 2 hours and 24 minutes, but the fastest National Express bus can make the trip in just one hour and 50 minutes.
| Distance | 70 mi (113 km) |
| Shortest duration | 1h 50m |
| Cheapest price | €1.99 |
| Trips per day | 25 |
| Most frequent service | Megabus |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Buses from Manchester to Birmingham
- FlixBus: 9 daily buses from €2
- Megabus: 15 daily buses from €7
- National Express: 4 daily buses from €7
How much is a bus ticket from Manchester to Birmingham?
€6.96 is the average price of a bus ticket from Manchester to Birmingham. 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
What bus companies travel from Manchester to Birmingham?
There are 3 bus lines from Manchester to Birmingham available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 15 daily trips, Megabus usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 9 | 2h 29m | €8.94 |
| Megabus | 15 | 2h 20m | €10.04 |
| National Express | 4 | 2h 24m | €12.82 |
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 9 trips from Manchester to Birmingham, and usually makes the trip in about 2 hours and 29 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 bus takes an average of 2 hours and 24 minutes to cover the 113 kilometers from Manchester to Birmingham. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 50 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. Keep in mind that your actual bus 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 buses, as many passengers take the bus to Birmingham 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 bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet."
The first bus leaves at 00:00 and the last bus leaves at 23:00. To see the times for all buses from Manchester to Birmingham, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 25 scheduled buses that travel from Manchester to Birmingham every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Manchester to Birmingham without transferring.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Manchester to Birmingham; ticket prices start at €19.18.
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.
Birmingham
As the second-largest city in the UK, Birmingham effortlessly blends the city’s quaint vibe with modern-day high-rises. One of the top local attractions is St. Martin in the Bull Ring, the original parish church of Birmingham. Featuring remarkable Gothic Revival architecture standing in stark contrast with the futuristic-looking shopping centers, the church is a great spot for travelers looking for a bit of respite. As you stroll around the city, don’t forget to visit the famous Cadbury World, which details the long history of the brand, as well as all the products it produces. For culturally-inclined activities, head to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, which offers over 40 exhibits.
If you wish to try out authentic Indian dishes with a local twist, head over to Pushkar. For those who wish to enjoy a more upscale dining experience, Bank offers a chic menu in an elegant setting.
The principal rail station is Birmingham New Street Station, which is the busiest train station in the UK. The Birmingham Coach Station offers coach services by National Express as far as London and Dublin. The city’s main airport is the Birmingham Airport, which is located 6 miles east of the city center.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Manchester?
Main departure station: Shudehill Interchange (Stand G)
Buses to Birmingham leave from 3 stations in Manchester.
All bus stations in Manchester:
Shudehill Interchange (Stand G)
Manchester Coach Station
Thomas Street - Stop Nn
Where does the bus arrive in Birmingham?
Main arrival station: Brunel St
Buses arrive in Birmingham at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
Bus stations in Birmingham:
Brunel St
Birmingham Summer Row- Great Charles Street
Coach Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Birmingham to Manchester?
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