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Manchester to Bournemouth bus

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Manchester - Bournemouth Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 4 intercity buses per day from Manchester to Bournemouth. Traveling by bus from Manchester to Bournemouth usually takes around 9 hours and 26 minutes, but the fastest National Express bus can make the trip in 8 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance191 mi (308 km)
Shortest duration8h 40m
Cheapest price$23.99
Most frequent serviceNational Express
Bus lines1

How much is a bus ticket from Manchester to Bournemouth?

Bus tickets for a trip from Manchester to Bournemouth cost $41.77 on average. Tickets cheaper than $41.77 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Monthly avg. prices

$75$60$45$30$15AMJJASONDJFM
Taking the bus from Manchester to Bournemouth is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $41. If you're planning to take the bus from Manchester to Bournemouth during January, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $60. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

What bus companies travel from Manchester to Bournemouth?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Manchester to Bournemouth. National Express connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
National Express49h 26m$44.59
  • 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 9 hours and 26 minutes to cover the 191 miles from Manchester to Bournemouth. However, the fastest bus only takes 8 hours and 40 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 Manchester to Bournemouth 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 4:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00am. To see the times for all buses from Manchester to Bournemouth, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Manchester to Bournemouth 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 Manchester to Bournemouth; ticket prices start at $95.88.

City Information

Manchester

Manchester, UK - GBEIS-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Manchester, UK - GBEIS-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Manchester, UK - GBEIS-2

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.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth - GBHSH-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Bournemouth - GBHSH-1

Image credit: Pixabay

Bournemouth - GBHSH-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Bournemouth, in picturesque Dorset County, is located on the South Coast. As such, you can enjoy several miles' worth of beaches. But aside from the world-class resorts and water activities in Bournemouth, this city also reflects England's rich history, culture, and heritage.

If you're drawn to Bournemouth's museums and galleries, you must visit the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum. This museum, styled as an Italian villa, sits atop a cliff, ensuring the views outside are as gorgeous as the art inside. The Poole Museum, housed in a Victorian warehouse, offers impressive exhibits to art, archeology, pirate, and pottery enthusiasts.

But if you're here for the beach, head straight to the Fisherman's Walk Beach, ideal for relaxation because of its quiet atmosphere. If you’d like to stay in a dog-friendly beach lined with pretty beach huts, then it's Southbourne for you. The Alum Chine Beach is recommended for families because of its pirate-themed playground, ice cream kiosks, and restaurants.

Bournemouth also offers cliff hiking, golfing, bowling, and tennis. Of course, you can also do some watersports on a kayak, paddleboard, or surfboard. Diehard sports fans shouldn’t miss the chance to visit Bournemouth’s premier league stadium, Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth Airport is about 7 miles from the center of town. The South Western Railway or CrossCountry trains are available to travel to Bournemouth from Liverpool, Manchester, or other destinations. In addition, Megabus provides bus service in and out of Bournemouth.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Manchester?

Manchester Coach Station  - GBEISGBNXP-0

Image credit: Mikey

Link to image attribution

Main departure 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

Where does the bus arrive in Bournemouth?

Main arrival station: 128A Poole Rd

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Bournemouth.

All bus stations in Bournemouth:

  • 128A Poole Rd

  • Holdenhurst Rd

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Bournemouth by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Bournemouth to Manchester?

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