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Trip Summary
You can pick from 16 daily train trips between Plymouth and Manchester. The average train journey from Plymouth to Manchester takes 6 hours and 38 minutes, but some CrossCountry + Connections train trips are as short as 5 hours and 27 minutes.
| Distance | 229 mi (369 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 27m |
| Lowest price | $84.21 |
| Most frequent service | CrossCountry + Connections |
| Train lines | 3 |
Train service from Plymouth to Manchester
- CrossCountry tickets: $202 one-way
- CrossCountry + Connections tickets: $84 one-way
- Great Western Railway + Connections tickets: $105 one-way
Which train should you take from Plymouth to Manchester?
There are 3 train lines with service from Plymouth to Manchester. CrossCountry + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 8 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossCountry | 4 | 5h 35m | $210.40 |
| CrossCountry + Connections | 8 | 5h 41m | $189.66 |
| Great Western Railway + Connections | 4 | 9h 37m | $188.83 |
CrossCountry operates an extensive rail network in the U.K., centered in Birmingham. In standard class, passengers enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, power outlets, and onboard restrooms. Trains also contain a small café or a trolley that passes through the carriages. An upgrade to first-class gives passengers more legroom and complimentary food. The journey from Plymouth to Manchester usually takes about 5 hours and 35 minutes on a CrossCountry train. There are 4 trips on this route every day, and 0 daily trips on weekends.
CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Plymouth to Manchester start from $84, and on average cost . Daily there are 8 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Manchester. CrossCountry + Connections in Plymouth leaves from North Rd . And in Manchester trains arrive at Manchester Airport and one other train station.
From Plymouth to Manchester train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 5 hours and 41 minutes. If you are looking to get to Manchester faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 5 hours and 27 minutes.
Great Western Railway + Connections train tickets from Plymouth to Manchester start from $105, and on average cost . Daily there are 4 Great Western Railway + Connections schedules to Manchester. Great Western Railway + Connections in Plymouth leaves from North Rd . And in Manchester trains arrive at Manchester Piccadilly and one other train station.
From Plymouth to Manchester train travel on Great Western Railway + Connections takes 9 hours and 37 minutes. If you are looking to get to Manchester faster, Great Western Railway + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 5 hours and 27 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Plymouth and Manchester is approximately 229 miles, or 369 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 38 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 27 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Plymouth to Manchester on Tuesday. Tickets for Tuesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Tuesday. Tuesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Plymouth at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. 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 16 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 Manchester to Plymouth.
City Information
Plymouth
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Unsplash
Located on the south coast of Devon, Plymouth is an English port city steeped in maritime heritage with a recently-revitalized waterfront. Although many seaport towns in Britain have a boastful history, none can quite match Plymouth's. It was here, just off the coast of Plymouth Port, that English naval forces defeated the Spanish Armada. Plus, one of the most famous landmarks in the city is the Mayflower Steps. These meaningful steps commemorate when the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth port in 1620 for the New World.
In addition to its history, Plymouth has enough modern amenities to compete as a tourist destination. With big brands and independent stores on offer, the city center is a wonderland for shoppers. Drake Circus is the town's premier shopping venue, with over 70 covered shops for the rainier days. The West End area offers more independent retailers, including the Plymouth Market, selling local crafts, foods, and much more.
Travel to Plymouth is simple. Either fly in via Exeter Airport, or catch a train from destinations like London, Liverpool, or Leeds. National Express and Megabus buses also operate routes to the city as a more affordable way to travel throughout the United Kingdom.
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 is the train station in Plymouth?
Image credit: Reading Tom
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Plymouth Station
Plymouth Railway Station is north of the city center, very close to the North Cross roundabout, and within a short walk of the Plymouth Coach Station. The station building is simple but efficient and includes a café with hot food, retail shops, restrooms, and a parking and rental car agency outside. The Great Western Railway route from London to Penzance stops in Plymouth, as do an additional GWR route and a CrossCountry train route heading north.
All train stations in Plymouth:
Plymouth Station
Where is the train station in Manchester?
Image credit: North West Transport Photos
Link to image attributionMain arrival 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
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Need a return trip from Manchester to Plymouth?
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