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Journey Information
There are 10 intercity buses per day from Manchester to Edinburgh. Traveling by bus from Manchester to Edinburgh usually takes around 7 hours and 18 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 20 minutes.
| Distance | 175 mi (282 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 20m |
| Cheapest price | $2.12 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | National Express |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Buses from Manchester to Edinburgh
- FlixBus: 3 daily buses from $2
- Megabus: 4 daily buses from $16
- National Express: 5 daily buses from $15
How much is a bus ticket from Manchester to Edinburgh?
Bus tickets for a trip from Manchester to Edinburgh cost $25.11 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Monthly average prices
What bus companies travel from Manchester to Edinburgh?
There are 3 bus lines from Manchester to Edinburgh available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 5 daily trips, National Express usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 3 | 8h 13m | $25.39 |
| Megabus | 4 | 5h 40m | $41.35 |
| National Express | 5 | 7h 46m | $42.49 |
First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 3 trips from Manchester to Edinburgh, and usually makes the trip in about 8 hours and 13 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Founded in 2003, Megabus UK was created to provide travelers with greener, more straightforward and smarter travel. The carrier has routes all across the United Kingdom in England, Scotland, and Wales. The Megabus UK fleet, easily distinguishable by its dark blue and yellow colors, has free Wi-Fi, outlets and charging ports, onboard restrooms, and 20 kg luggage allowances on each bus.
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 7 hours and 18 minutes to cover the 175 miles from Manchester to Edinburgh. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 20 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 Edinburgh 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, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.
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 Edinburgh, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 10 scheduled buses that travel from Manchester to Edinburgh every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Manchester to Edinburgh; ticket prices start at $50.80.
City Information
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.
Edinburgh
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
As Scotland's capital, Edinburgh and its people are famed throughout history for their contribution to philosophy, literature, science, and industry, among many other areas. This incredibly diverse city promises to provide attractions and entertainment for people of all ages, budgets, and interests. Edinburgh is even ranked as the #6 city with the most historic sites per capita in Europe, and the #1 outside of Italy!
For those looking for outdoor adventure, take a walk up Arthur's Seat, one of four hill forts that date back to over 2,000 years ago. The walk to the top will allow you to embrace some of Scotland's most beautiful landscapes and wildlife, and you'll be rewarded with a dramatic view of Edinburgh at the top.
On rainy days, visit the National Museum of Scotland, where each floor provides information on several fascinating eras of Scotland's history. A trip down the Royal Mile will satisfy all your tartan and souvenir needs, while the world-famous Underground Ghost Tour will give you an entirely different view of this seemingly peaceful, quaint city.
If your trip falls during the holiday season, the Edinburgh Christmas Market is guaranteed to give you the festive feeling, while world-renowned Hogmanay celebrations will ensure that you ring in the New Year with a bang.
Edinburgh is easily accessible via train, plane, and bus. Edinburgh Airport provides global access to the city, while rail services connect the city to many other major towns and cities across the UK. In addition, numerous bus companies travel to and from Edinburgh, meaning that no matter your preferred mode of transport, the city is always within reach.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Manchester?
Main departure station: Thomas Street - Stop Nn
Buses to Edinburgh leave from 5 stations in Manchester.
All bus stations in Manchester:
Thomas Street - Stop Nn
Shudehill Interchange (Stand G)
Manchester Coach Station
New Moston
Miles Platting
Where does the bus arrive in Edinburgh?
Image credit: Wendy
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Edinburgh Bus Station
Edinburgh Bus Station is a local and long-distance bus station located beneath the luxury shopping area, Multrees Walk. It is less than five minutes on foot from Waverley train station, with the primary pedestrian access on St Andrew Square. Luggage lockers, a small convenience store, café, and pay-for restrooms occupy the underground waiting lounge. Megabus and National Express operate service to destinations such as Glasgow, Aberdeen, Belfast, and York. International travelers can reach the Edinburgh Airport via the tram at St Andrew Square.
All bus stations in Edinburgh:
Edinburgh Bus Station
St Andrew's House
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