Cheap train tickets from Southampton to Manchester
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
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.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Trip Summary
You can pick from 30 daily train trips between Southampton and Manchester. The average train journey from Southampton to Manchester takes 6 hours and 38 minutes, but some CrossCountry train trips are as short as 4 hours and 37 minutes.
| Distance | 181 mi (292 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 37m |
| Lowest price | $77.95 |
| Trains per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | South Western Railway + Connections |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Southampton to Manchester?
There are 4 train lines with service from Southampton to Manchester. South Western Railway + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 18 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossCountry | 4 | 7h 16m | $126.09 |
| CrossCountry + Connections | 6 | 5h 21m | $141.02 |
| Great Western Railway + Connections | 2 | 5h 39m | $127.82 |
| South Western Railway + Connections | 18 | 7h 2m | $130.12 |
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 Southampton to Manchester usually takes about 7 hours and 16 minutes on a CrossCountry train. There are 4 trips on this route every day, and 4 daily trips on weekends.
CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Southampton to Manchester start from $128, and on average cost . Daily there are 6 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Manchester. CrossCountry + Connections in Southampton leaves from Overline House . And in Manchester trains arrive at Manchester Airport .
From Southampton to Manchester train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 5 hours and 21 minutes. If you are looking to get to Manchester faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 4 hours and 37 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, CrossCountry + Connections offers 6 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Manchester.
Great Western Railway + Connections train tickets from Southampton to Manchester start from $128, and on average cost . Daily there are 2 Great Western Railway + Connections schedules to Manchester. Great Western Railway + Connections in Southampton leaves from Overline House . And in Manchester trains arrive at Manchester Airport and one other train station.
From Southampton to Manchester train travel on Great Western Railway + Connections takes 5 hours and 39 minutes. If you are looking to get to Manchester faster, Great Western Railway + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 4 hours and 37 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Great Western Railway + Connections offers 2 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Manchester.
UK's South Western Railway operates passenger rail services in London, Windsor, Reading, and Southampton. Both standard class and first-class seating are available, with the first-class section clearly marked and physically separated from the rest of the train by internal doorways. These cars offer more space and quiet away from the more crowded areas.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Southampton to Manchester
The distance between Southampton and Manchester is approximately 181 miles, or 292 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 38 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 37 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 departing from Southampton to Manchester tend to have the most passengers on Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Southampton at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. 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 30 scheduled trains on most days. 3 of these are direct connections to Manchester. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Manchester to Southampton.
City Information
Southampton
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Southampton is a scenic city along England's south coast, known for its history as an important port. No matter the time of year you visit, Southampton has a wealth of activities and attractions.
Your first stop is the SeaCity Museum, where you can discover the city's history and engage with the model of the RMS Titanic. Next, the Solent Sky Museum turns your attention skyward as it details Southampton's aviation history. The Southampton City Art Gallery is a hidden gem to view painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, print, and video exhibits. And if you’re on a tour of England’s premier league stadiums, Southampton’s St. Mary’s Stadium is a must.
For a unique dining experience, try the café at the Tudor House and Garden Museum. They serve local food and fantastic coffee in a home that's over 800 years old. Then, as you walk through the nearby Cultural Quarter, keep your eyes peeled for remnants of the city's medieval walls amidst the chic bars and stores.
Southampton Airport does serve international flights, but it's easy to reach Southampton even if you fly into one of London's airports. South Western Railway and Megabus provide train and bus service from London and other cities 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 Southampton?
Main departure station: Woolston
Many trains to Southampton stop across the river in one of its suburbs, Woolston. The Woolston Station dates to 1866, and its blanched Italianate facade has been preserved despite damage during World War II. The small station offers basic amenities and is surrounded by suburban shops and homes. Routes through Woolston include the West Coastway line from Brighton to Southampton. Past the Woolston Station, South Western trains round the River Itchen for a beautiful view of Southampton.
All train stations in Southampton:
Woolston
Overline House
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
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Manchester to Southampton?
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.