Cheap bus tickets from Cardiff to Manchester
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Cardiff to Manchester Bus Schedule
Bus from Cardiff to Manchester: Journey Information
There are 30 intercity buses per day from Cardiff to Manchester. Traveling by bus from Cardiff to Manchester usually takes around 8 hours and 48 minutes, but the fastest National Express bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 144 mi (231 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 30m |
| Cheapest price | $22.67 |
| Most frequent service | National Express |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Cardiff to Manchester?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Cardiff to Manchester. National Express connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Express | 30 | 8h 48m | $47.97 |
Book National Express from Cardiff to Manchester from $23. There are 30 trips per day offered by National Express from Cardiff to Manchester and you can expect on average to pay for a National Express ticket to Manchester. In Cardiff, National Express departs to Manchester from North Road Bus Stop and 2 other stations. In Manchester, National Express arrives at Manchester Coach Station .
An average trip on National Express from Cardiff to Manchester takes 8 hours and 48 minutes , while the fastest available National Express trip will get you to Manchester in 5 hours and 30 minutes .
On weekends, National Express offers 28 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Manchester.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Cardiff to Manchester
The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 48 minutes to cover the 144 miles from Cardiff to Manchester. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 30 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. 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.
Because many passengers travel from Cardiff to Manchester at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Manchester, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
The first bus leaves at 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Cardiff to Manchester, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 30 scheduled buses that travel from Cardiff to Manchester every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Cardiff to Manchester; ticket prices start at $55.43.
City Information
Cardiff
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Cardiff is the capital of Wales, as well as its largest city. Although the city was initially founded as a Roman fort, Cardiff has glided effortlessly into the 21st century, offering tourists a diverse mix of old and new.
Looking to explore the city's history? Cardiff Castle at the heart of the city makes for an exciting day out, where visitors can learn about the fascinating 2,000 years of history that the castle represents.
If the castle gets you in the mood to explore more history, the St Fagans National Museum of History will surely satisfy your historical appetite. As one of Europe's leading open-air museums, the museum offers historical attractions that detail history back to the Celtic era.
For those seeking a more modern experience, Cardiff boasts a fantastic selection of shops and cafes, with Cardiff Central Market as the top choice for retail therapy.
Cardiff has excellent transport links, making it an easy place to visit no matter where you're coming from. Cardiff Airport provides access for visitors traveling from off the island, while high-speed rail services make access to and from London simple. Cardiff Central Station also offers direct routes from Bristol, Bath, Manchester, Nottingham, as well as other main cities and towns.
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 bus leave from in Cardiff?
Main departure station: North Road Bus Stop
Buses to Manchester leave from 3 stations in Cardiff.
All bus stations in Cardiff:
North Road Bus Stop
2 Sophia Cl
Cardiff University
Where does the bus arrive in Manchester?
Image credit: Mikey
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Manchester Coach Station
A short walk from the city center, Manchester Coach Station is located on Chorlton Street on the ground floor of a multistory parking garage. 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. Neighboring 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.
All bus stations in Manchester:
Manchester Coach Station
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Need a return trip from Manchester to Cardiff?
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