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Cheap bus tickets from Manchester to Luton

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Manchester to Luton Bus Schedule

Bus from Manchester to Luton: Journey Information

There are 41 intercity buses per day from Manchester to Luton. Traveling by bus from Manchester to Luton usually takes around 5 hours and 8 minutes, but the fastest National Express bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 50 minutes.

Distance134 mi (216 km)
Shortest duration3h 50m
Cheapest price$34.88
Trips per day1
Most frequent serviceNational Express
Bus lines1

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What bus companies travel from Manchester to Luton?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Manchester to Luton. 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 Express415h 8m$52.08
  • Book National Express from Manchester to Luton from $35. There are 41 trips per day offered by National Express from Manchester to Luton and you can expect on average to pay for a National Express ticket to Luton. In Manchester, National Express departs to Luton from Manchester Coach Station . In Luton, National Express arrives at Luton Airport Bus & Coach Station and 2 other stations.

    An average trip on National Express from Manchester to Luton takes 5 hours and 8 minutes , while the fastest available National Express trip will get you to Luton in 3 hours and 50 minutes .

    On weekends, National Express offers 43 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Luton.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Manchester to Luton

The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 8 minutes to cover the 134 miles from Manchester to Luton. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 50 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.

Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, 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 Luton, book your ticket for the last day of the week.

The first bus leaves at 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Manchester to Luton, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 41 scheduled buses that travel from Manchester to Luton every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Manchester to Luton; ticket prices start at $26.93.

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.

Luton

Luton, UK - GBWCB-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Luton, UK - GBWCB-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Luton, UK - GBWCB-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Situated on the River Lea, Luton is a vibrant town only 29 miles northwest of London. The city's local history is celebrated and displayed at the Stockwood Discovery Centre. This free attraction offers gardens, a cafe, and a museum, together creating a great place to spend the day exploring.

To add some retail therapy to your vacation, visit The Mall to browse over 100 shops, including both high street retailers and independent shops. The Mall also houses many restaurants and cafes, making it a relaxing place to stop and take a load off with a latte—or an afternoon tea, if you'd like to really embrace local tradition.

Due to its location near London, Luton is a very accessible town. Access via rail, bus, and air is available from its international airport, where frequent services from London and other major cities arrive.

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 Luton?

Main arrival station: Luton Airport Bus & Coach Station

Buses arrive in Luton at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Luton:

  • Luton Airport Bus & Coach Station

  • Bus Station

  • Challney - Travelodge Bus Stop

Get around town with Moovit

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

Need a return trip from Luton to Manchester?

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