background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Manchester to Ipswich train

chiku-mobile
Available on iOS & Android
Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

Manchester - Ipswich Train Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$30.00
No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

Trip Summary

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Manchester to Ipswich. Traveling by train from Manchester to Ipswich usually takes 4 hours and 56 minutes, but the fastest East Midlands Trains + Connections train can make the trip in 4 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance173 mi (278 km)
Fastest train4h 40m
Lowest price$67.86
Most frequent serviceTransPennine Express + Connections
Train lines2

Which train should you take from Manchester to Ipswich?

2 train services operate from Manchester to Ipswich. TransPennine Express + Connections usually has more trains scheduled, with 3 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
East Midlands Trains + Connections24h 44m$67.86
TransPennine Express + Connections35h 5m$116.63
  • East Midlands Trains + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Ipswich start from $68, and on average cost . Daily there are 2 East Midlands Trains + Connections schedules to Ipswich. East Midlands Trains + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly . And in Ipswich trains arrive at Rail Station .

    From Manchester to Ipswich train travel on East Midlands Trains + Connections takes 4 hours and 44 minutes. If you are looking to get to Ipswich faster, East Midlands Trains + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 4 hours and 40 minutes.

    If you're considering a weeked trip, East Midlands Trains + Connections offers 2 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Ipswich.

  • TransPennine Express + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Ipswich start from $114, and on average cost . Daily there are 3 TransPennine Express + Connections schedules to Ipswich. TransPennine Express + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly and 2 other stations. And in Ipswich trains arrive at Rail Station .

    From Manchester to Ipswich train travel on TransPennine Express + Connections takes 5 hours and 5 minutes. If you are looking to get to Ipswich faster, TransPennine Express + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 4 hours and 40 minutes.

    If you're considering a weeked trip, TransPennine Express + Connections offers 3 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Ipswich.

Frequently Asked Questions

The distance between Manchester and Ipswich is approximately 173 miles, or 278 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 56 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 40 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 from Manchester to Ipswich are the most crowded on Sunday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs Manchester at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00pm. 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 5 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 Ipswich to Manchester.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Manchester?

Manchester Airport  - GBEISGBNXP5-0

Image credit: North West Transport Photos

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Manchester Airport

Refurbished in 2004 and 2014, Manchester Airport Station is a combined rail, Metrolink tram, and bus station. Referred to as "The Station" on signage, it is linked to the airport terminals by the Sky Link elevated walkway. Northern, TransPennine Express, and Transport for Wales operate rail services, with destinations including central Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. National Express and Megabus also operate frequent buses to and from the airport. The Metrolink tram connects with Manchester Victoria rail station, located much closer to the center of Manchester.

All train stations in Manchester:

  • Manchester Airport

  • Manchester Piccadilly

  • Manchester Victoria

Where is the train station in Ipswich?

Main arrival station: Rail Station

Ipswich has one train station.

All train stations in Ipswich:

  • Rail Station

Get around town with Moovit

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

Need a return trip from Ipswich to Manchester?

Search Train Tickets

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.

Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more

iPhone
Android
Available on iOS & Android