Find trains from London to Manchester

If you’re travelling from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly, the train route does pass by lots of areas of interest, though it’s not known as one of the most scenic train routes in England. The train will pass by towns, villages and hamlets, as well as a mix of farms, hills and picturesque canals. As you leave London, you can also look out for Wembley Stadium. London Euston station was England’s first inter-city station, built in 1837. The current building, while functional, is not the most scenic and was built in the 1960s. There are still two Portland stone entrance lodges and a war memorial, left over from the old station – these are located on Euston Road. Manchester Piccadilly station, where you’ll arrive, is a vast structure built in the early 1830s. Watch out for its vast train shed roof, which is quite long.

For travellers departing London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly, you’ll be able to take your pick of a vast range of services and shops, as well as luggage storage and assistance. London Euston has a good range of eateries, including fast food restaurants serving burgers, grilled chicken, sandwiches, Asian and Mexican food, as well as plenty of coffee shops and several pubs. There are also a couple of supermarkets and a stationer. The station has lots of seating available in different areas: there’s a heated waiting room next to Platform 16, plus seats on the main concourse and dotted around other parts. If you need to store luggage, you can do so at an independent company, next to Platform 16. It’s open daily from early in the morning to late evening. Trolleys are also available at the station and by the taxi rank. For travellers needing assistance on their journey or whilst boarding the train, it’s always best to book this in advance when making your ticket reservation.

For anyone with train tickets from London to Manchester, you won’t need to carry a passport with you when travelling this route, as both cities are within the UK. momondo does, however, always suggest carrying a form of ID with you, such as a driving licence or other valid document, when travelling by rail from London to Manchester.

If you’ve taken the train from London to Manchester, you’ll arrive right in the heart of the city, once you disembark at Manchester Piccadilly station. Many of Manchester’s key sites, such as shopping and dining areas, museums and art galleries, are within walking distance of the station. The University of Manchester is also a short walk away from Manchester Piccadilly. Other attractions, like Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium for Manchester City Football Club, are slightly further afield but still easily reachable by taxi or bus. Manchester has a vast bus network, including a free hop on, hop off shuttle service linking all the main train stations, as well as the shopping and business areas. For taxis, head to the Fairfield Street exit and you’ll find them just outside. Uber is also available in Manchester, though pickups are not always from directly outside the station, so you may have to walk a little way. The 147 bus goes from Fairfield Street towards the hospitals and universities, and there are further buses from the same location and from Piccadilly Gardens. You can also take the Metrolink tram from within the station itself, and there are escalators and lifts to the platforms after travelling by train from London to Manchester.

The fastest journey time from London to Manchester is 2h 11m. Travel time can vary by 0h 09m, so prioritise direct options for the quickest arrival. AccesRail is one of the fastest options available.

Avanti West Coast, Northern Rail, and Cross Country are viable options. Check times and availability for Avanti West Coast, as it was recently the cheapest train available traveling from London to Manchester from £156 round-trip.

London and Manchester are 163.1 mi apart from one another, but the actual distance by train depends on the route taken. The train usually takes 2h 11m in normal conditions.

The quickest way is to book a flight from London to Manchester, which can be as quick as 1h 00m onboard British Airways. You can also get a train from London to Manchester, or a bus from London to Manchester which can take you longer to arrive at your destination.

Expect a bus to be one of the cheapest options available to you for travel. Currently, a bus has deals available from £12. While they may not be the most cost-effective options currently available a flight from London to Manchester or a train from London to Manchester can also be options worth looking into if other factors outside of cost are a higher priority.