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Trip Summary
You can pick from 16 daily train trips between Manchester and Penzance. The average train journey from Manchester to Penzance takes 9 hours and 48 minutes, but some CrossCountry train trips are as short as 7 hours and 11 minutes.
| Distance | 272 mi (437 km) |
| Fastest train | 7h 11m |
| Lowest price | €106.36 |
| Most frequent service | Northern Rail + Connections |
| Train lines | 5 |
Which train should you take from Manchester to Penzance?
There are 5 train lines with service from Manchester to Penzance. Northern Rail + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 6 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arriva Trains Wales + Connections | 2 | 10h 54m | €179.55 |
| CrossCountry | 2 | 10h 42m | €109.14 |
| CrossCountry + Connections | 5 | 9h 5m | €221.49 |
| Northern Rail + Connections | 6 | 9h 1m | €216.08 |
| TransPennine Express + Connections | 1 | 14h 15m | €123.71 |
Arriva Trains Wales + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Penzance start from €113, and on average cost . Daily there are 2 Arriva Trains Wales + Connections schedules to Penzance. Arriva Trains Wales + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Airport and one other station. And in Penzance trains arrive at Train Station .
From Manchester to Penzance train travel on Arriva Trains Wales + Connections takes 10 hours and 54 minutes. If you are looking to get to Penzance faster, Arriva Trains Wales + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 7 hours and 11 minutes.
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 Penzance usually takes about 10 hours and 42 minutes on a CrossCountry train. There are 2 trips on this route every day, and 0 daily trips on weekends.
CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Penzance start from €187, and on average cost . Daily there are 5 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Penzance. CrossCountry + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly . And in Penzance trains arrive at Train Station .
From Manchester to Penzance train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 9 hours and 5 minutes. If you are looking to get to Penzance faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 7 hours and 11 minutes.
Northern Rail + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Penzance start from €106, and on average cost . Daily there are 6 Northern Rail + Connections schedules to Penzance. Northern Rail + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Airport . And in Penzance trains arrive at Train Station .
From Manchester to Penzance train travel on Northern Rail + Connections takes 9 hours and 1 minutes. If you are looking to get to Penzance faster, Northern Rail + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 7 hours and 11 minutes.
TransPennine Express + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Penzance start from €124, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 TransPennine Express + Connections schedules to Penzance. TransPennine Express + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Airport . And in Penzance trains arrive at Train Station .
From Manchester to Penzance train travel on TransPennine Express + Connections takes 14 hours and 15 minutes. If you are looking to get to Penzance faster, TransPennine Express + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 7 hours and 11 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Manchester and Penzance is approximately 272 miles, or 437 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 48 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 11 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Trains departing from Manchester to Penzance tend to have the most passengers on Friday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Friday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Friday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Manchester at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 21:00. 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 16 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Penzance to Manchester.
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 Manchester?
Image credit: Hugh Llewelyn
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Manchester Piccadilly
As the city's main train station, Manchester Piccadilly receives regular trains from London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Liverpool. It has 14 platforms, with platforms 13 and 14 positioned away from the main concourse and accessed via a moving walkway. The mezzanine level contains a variety of shops and food outlets. Travelers can also access Metrolink trams on the Blue, Yellow, and Purple lines by descending into the lower level. The area around the station hosts plenty of parking, several hotels, and a variety of food options.
All train stations in Manchester:
Manchester Piccadilly
Manchester Airport
Where is the train station in Penzance?
Main arrival station: Penzance Train Station
Penzance has one train station.
Train stations in Penzance:
Penzance Train Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Penzance to Manchester?
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