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Cheap bus tickets from London to Manchester
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Bus from London to Manchester: Journey Information
There are 63 intercity buses per day from London to Manchester. Traveling by bus from London to Manchester usually takes around 5 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest National Express bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 163 mi (262 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 5m |
| Cheapest price | $8.73 |
| Trips per day | 30 |
| Most frequent service | National Express |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from London to Manchester
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Buses from London to Manchester
- FlixBus: 19 daily buses from $9
- Megabus: 4 daily buses from $13
- National Express: 41 daily buses from $11
How much is a bus ticket from London to Manchester?
Bus tickets for a trip from London to Manchester cost $9.64 on average. This is an excellent value for the trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average bus ticket prices from London to Manchester by month
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from London to Manchester, mark your calendar for January. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just $19. However, taking the bus from London to Manchester during December is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of $28. The best way to find deals on a trip in December is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.
Prices as travel date approaches
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 29 days in advance to save up to $22.19.
What bus companies travel from London to Manchester?
There are 3 bus lines from London to Manchester available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 41 daily trips, National Express 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 | 19 | 5h 5m | $25.55 |
| Megabus | 4 | 4h 56m | $28.64 |
| National Express | 41 | 6h 13m | $30.62 |
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 19 trips from London to Manchester, and usually makes the trip in about 5 hours and 5 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 about traveling by bus from London to Manchester
The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 33 minutes to cover the 163 miles from London to Manchester. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 5 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 London 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, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from London to Manchester, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 63 scheduled buses that travel from London to Manchester every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 30 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from London to Manchester; ticket prices start at $48.47.
City Information
London
One of the most important cities in the world, London is where the traditional blends seamlessly with the modern. As a vibrant modern city, London has something for everyone. For visitors interested in the Royal Family as well as their history, check out Buckingham Palace. The palace is open all days in summer, but only on selected days in winter. The Tower of London, where the crown jewels are put on exhibition, is also a great spot to check out. For fans of history, you might not want to miss out on the famous British Museum, considered by many to be the best museum in all of London. The museum currently carries an impressive collection of 8 million historic objects from all around the world, making it an eye-opening destination for many.
London’s food scene reflects its multiculturalism. Here you can find restaurants serving cuisines from various countries around the world, from India to Malaysia. If you opt for a lavish dining experience, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, run by the famous chef himself, will be a great choice. Also don’t forget to stop by at a local pub and enjoy the beer like a true Londoner.
The city’s centers of intercity rail services are King’s Cross Station and Euston Station, from which you can take a train to other places in the UK or hop on the Eurostar train to Paris and beyond. The largest coach station in the city is Victoria Coach Station, serving big local carriers like National Express. The city’s air services are fulfilled by eight airports, of which London Heathrow Airport, located west of the city, is the busiest one.
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 London?
Image credit: Matt Brown
Link to image attributionMain departure station: London Victoria
London's Victoria Coach Station has its main entrance on Buckingham Palace Road. Well-signposted but slightly hidden in an attractive art deco office block, the station welcomes around 14 million passengers each year. The arrival and departure areas are at different ends of Elizabeth Street, with the departure zone containing food concession stands, left-luggage facilities, and restrooms. As London's largest coach station, most major coach companies, including FlixBus, Megabus, and National Express, operate from Victoria Coach Station. It is a ten-minute walk to rail and Underground services at Victoria Rail Station, whose 19 platforms include express services to Gatwick Airport.
All bus stations in London:
London Victoria
235 Finchley Rd
London Marble Arch (Stop S)
Dunton Rd (Stop WN)
Elephant and Castle
London Paddington Rail Station
Golders Green Bus Station
Bow Church Station
London Lewisham
London Mile End
London New Cross Gate
Eltham Road / Westhorne Avenue
Hammersmith Bus Station (Stop D)
London Stratford, Also for Westfield
Ealing Broadway
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
Shudehill Interchange (Stand G)
Thomas Street - Stop Nn
Miles Platting
New Moston
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