Bedford to Manchester train with East Midlands Railway

Tue, Aug 04
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East Midlands Railway
Avanti West Coast
Transpennine Express
Northern Rail
Renfe AVANT
2,000+ travel companies
East Midlands Railway
Avanti West Coast
Transpennine Express
Northern Rail
Renfe AVANT
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Bedford to Manchester

Showing times and prices for Aug 04

Cheapest price

€63

Average price

€173

Fastest journey

2 h 38 m

Average duration

2 h 47 m

Trains per day

20

Distance

191 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bedford to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Bedford to Manchester will cost around €173 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €63.

Fast trains

It's difficult to get from Bedford to Manchester without transferring at least 2 times.

  • East Midlands RailwayC41862 · W70854 · C21649 · C21590
    8:30 AM4h05
    Bedford station (BDM)
    12:35 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)
    631One-way
    3 transfers
  • East Midlands RailwayW70845 · C21767 · C21336+CrossCountryG66716
    6:39 AM3h20
    Bedford station (BDM)
    9:59 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)
    711One-way
    3 transfers
  • East Midlands RailwayC41862 · W70854 · C21649 · C21334
    8:30 AM3h29
    Bedford station (BDM)
    11:59 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)
    711One-way
    4 transfers
  • East Midlands RailwayC41862 · W70854 · C21649+Transpennine ExpressW84673
    8:30 AM3h35
    Bedford station (BDM)
    12:05 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)
    781One-way
    3 transfers
  • East Midlands RailwayW70845 · C21767+Transpennine ExpressW84661
    6:39 AM3h26
    Bedford station (BDM)
    10:05 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)
    881One-way
    2 transfers

Travel Information

Compare bus, train, and flight for Bedford to Manchester

Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Bedford to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €35. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 28m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €35, and a flight costs an average of €73.

Distance: 191 km

Compare train with

Train
Most popular
Bus
Flight

€71

Average price

€41

Average price

Cheapest

€170

Average price

3h 11m

Average total duration

2h 41m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 59m

Average total duration

3h 29m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 28m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 28m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.5kg

CO2 emissions

0.6 - 1.1kg

CO2 emissions

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Bedford to Manchester train times

The table below shows live departures for Bedford to Manchester trains for today, Monday, August 3. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Avanti West CoastW34059+West Midlands TrainsW70290 · W88039
Delayed
9:24 AM 9:27 AMBedford St Johns (BSJ)
2h38
12:05 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
2 transfers
Tuesday, August 4
East Midlands RailwayC04199+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston+Avanti West CoastW341755:12 AM Bedford station (BDM)
3h53
9:05 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2 transfers
West Midlands TrainsW88020 · Y80791+Avanti West CoastW341756:13 AM Bedford St Johns (BSJ)
2h52
9:05 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2 transfers
East Midlands RailwayC41847 · W70940 · C044446:26 AM Bedford station (BDM)
3h09
9:35 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2 transfers
East Midlands RailwayW70845+CrossCountryG66937+Avanti West CoastW340216:39 AM Bedford station (BDM)
2h40
9:19 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2 transfers
East Midlands RailwayW70845 · C21767 · C21336+CrossCountryG667166:39 AM Bedford station (BDM)
3h20
9:59 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)3 transfers
East Midlands RailwayW70845 · C21767+Transpennine ExpressW846616:39 AM Bedford station (BDM)
3h26
10:05 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2 transfers
East Midlands RailwayW70847 · C218047:11 AM Bedford station (BDM)
3h24
10:35 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)1 transfer
East Midlands RailwayW70847 · W70945+Northern RailP247937:11 AM Bedford station (BDM)
3h21
10:32 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2 transfers
East Midlands RailwayW70847+CrossCountryG01046+Avanti West CoastW340707:11 AM Bedford station (BDM)
3h08
10:19 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2 transfers
West Midlands TrainsW88025 · Y80800+Avanti West CoastC013127:13 AM Bedford St Johns (BSJ)
2h52
10:05 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2 transfers
East Midlands RailwayW70850 · W70948+Transpennine ExpressW846677:39 AM Bedford station (BDM)
3h26
11:05 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2 transfers
East Midlands RailwayW70850 · C218127:39 AM Bedford station (BDM)
3h56
11:35 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)1 transfer
East Midlands RailwayW70850 · W70948 · C21335+CrossCountryG667217:39 AM Bedford station (BDM)
3h20
10:59 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)3 transfers
East Midlands RailwayC04209+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston+Avanti West CoastW340387:40 AM Bedford station (BDM)
3h39
11:19 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2 transfers
West Midlands TrainsW88034 · Y80809+Avanti West CoastW339618:11 AM Bedford St Johns (BSJ)
2h54
11:05 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2 transfers
East Midlands RailwayC41862 · W70854 · C21649 · C215908:30 AM Bedford station (BDM)
4h05
12:35 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)3 transfers
East Midlands RailwayC41862 · W70854 · C21649 · C213348:30 AM Bedford station (BDM)
3h29
11:59 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)4 transfers
East Midlands RailwayC41862 · W70854 · C21649+Transpennine ExpressW846738:30 AM Bedford station (BDM)
3h35
12:05 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)3 transfers
East Midlands RailwayC04220+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston+Avanti West CoastW340409:10 AM Bedford station (BDM)
3h34
12:44 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2 transfers
West Midlands TrainsW88039 · W70290+Avanti West CoastW340599:27 AM Bedford St Johns (BSJ)
2h38
12:05 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2 transfers

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Bedford to Manchester by bus, train, or flight

Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Tue
Aug 04
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Aug 07
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Aug 08
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Mon
Aug 10

Why should you book Bedford to Manchester trains with Omio?

East Midlands Railway as well as Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Northern Rail and more offer trains services from Bedford to Manchester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Bedford to Manchester.

Why book with Omio vs East Midlands Railway?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for East Midlands Railway, but also compare tickets for the likes of Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express or Northern Rail to find the best option for your trip from Bedford to Manchester.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare East Midlands Railway with all available travel options, which are bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Bedford to Manchester.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu, Rome2rio or Raileurope?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express or Northern Rail to find the best option for your trip from Bedford to Manchester.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from Bedford to Manchester.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Bedford to Manchester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Bedford to Manchester run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 41m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €50 but you can travel from only €35 by bus.

The earliest train runs at 04:13, the last at 22:15. The fastest train covers the 191 km distance in 2h 54m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Bus from €35
Distance
191 km
Average train duration
2h 41m
Cheapest ticket price
€50
Trains per day
6
Fastest train
2h 54m
First train
4:13 AM
Last train
10:15 PM
Cheapest Month
Apr
Cheapest Day
Fri
High Season
Jul - Sep
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Tue
Least Busy Day
Sat
Best time to book
14 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Bus from €35

Train companies: East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Northern Rail from Bedford to Manchester trainsEast Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Northern Rail trains will get you between Bedford and Manchester from €35. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

East Midlands Railway

About
East Midlands Trains is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London to the East Midlands, Yorkshire, and the North West. East Midlands Trains operates a fleet of Class 158, Class 156, Class 170, Class 222 and Class 180 diesel multiple units, as well as Class 222 Meridian electric multiple units. East Midlands Trains also offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for East Midlands Trains are London to Nottingham, Sheffield, and Leeds.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
3h 8m
Cheapest Price
€50
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 piece of hand luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks on some routes
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for a fee. Free for Advance ticket holders
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs must be on lead and require a ticket (£6 for day ticket)
Quiet zone

Avanti West Coast

About
Avanti West Coast is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates high-speed trains between London and major cities in the UK, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The company offers a range of ticket types, including Standard, First Class and Advance tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drinks. The most popular routes for Avanti West Coast are London to Birmingham, London to Manchester and London to Glasgow. The company operates a fleet of Pendolino and Super Voyager trains, which offer a smooth and comfortable journey.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 54m
Cheapest Price
€67
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 small item included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policies depend on ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
First Class: Complimentary meals and drinks. Standard Class: Onboard shop with drinks and snacks
Seat reservation
First Class: Included in ticket price. Standard Class: Optional reservation for £8-12
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and assistance for boarding/alighting available
Pets
Small pets free in carriers. Dogs £30 per single journey. Guide dogs free
Quiet zone

Transpennine Express

About
Transpennine Express is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from Manchester and Liverpool to Scotland, the North East and Yorkshire. It offers a range of services, including express, regional and local trains. Express trains are the fastest, with journey times of up to three hours. Regional trains are slower, but offer more stops and a more relaxed atmosphere. Local trains are the slowest, but offer the most stops. Transpennine Express offers a range of ticket types, including single, return, group and season tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for Transpennine Express are Manchester to Edinburgh, Liverpool to Leeds and Manchester to York. These routes offer a convenient and comfortable way to travel between the cities.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Transpennine Express frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
2 large items and 1 small hand luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if service is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks, plus a small selection of hot and cold food items
Seat reservation
Seat reservations are free of charge and recommended for busy routes
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance booking service
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

Northern Rail

About
Northern Trains is a publicly owned train operating company in the United Kingdom, headquartered in York. It runs local and commuter services across the north of England, connecting regions including the North East, North West, East Midlands, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, and the Humber coastline. As part of the National Rail network, Northern operates under a coordinated fare and ticketing system alongside other UK train companies.Ticket types include Advance, Off-Peak, Anytime Day, single, return, and season tickets, with only one class option available: Standard. Onboard amenities may include comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and refreshments on select services. Popular routes include connections between major northern cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Northern Rail frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
2 large items of luggage and 1 small hand luggage
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
See refund policy for ticket types
Refund
Full refund if service canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service on most services with drinks and snacks. Some stations have cafes and shops
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available but not mandatory. Free of charge when booking advance tickets
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, passenger assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

FAQs: Trains from Bedford to Manchester

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bedford to Manchester by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Manchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap train tickets from Bedford to Manchester can start from as little as €50 when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Bedford to Manchester is €71; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by train from Bedford to Manchester is 2h 54m to travel the 191 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest train from Bedford to Manchester leaves at 4:13 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The latest train from Bedford to Manchester leaves at 10:15 PM.
There are 6 trains a day from Bedford to Manchester which require at least one change with East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Northern Rail. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer trains.
Yes, there are multiple high-speed train options for your journey from Bedford to Manchester. You can choose between East Midlands Railway. East Midlands Railway trains take around 3h 8m
When taking a train from Bedford to Manchester, you can count on East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Northern Rail for the best way to get you to Manchester. You can also check all possible train companies who offer a service between Bedford and Manchester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a train ticket.
A trip to Manchester from Bedford is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 2h 54m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a train from Bedford to Manchester is April.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Bedford and Manchester including taking a bus, train, and flight.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from Bedford to Manchester

Most Bedford to Manchester trains use the Bedford to Manchester Piccadilly station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester Airport. Use this guide to compare Bedford and Manchester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Bedford
Arrival train stations in Manchester

Which Bedford station do trains to Manchester leave from?

Trains from Bedford to Manchester leave from Bedford. The station is 1 km from Bedford city centre at Bedford station, Ashburnham Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 1DS.
BedfordBedford station, Ashburnham Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 1DSWifiShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike Parking

Bedford train station facilities and services

Bedford has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Bedford.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Bedford. ATMs are available at Bedford.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Bedford.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Bedford: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Bedford: Bike Parking.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Bedford: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms via lifts. Assistance Meeting Point is adjacent to the taxi rank at the front of the station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

Bedford St JohnsBedford St Johns station, Melbourne Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9ANParkingDiningAccessibilityHotelBike ParkingCar RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Bedford St Johns from Bedford city centre

Location for Rail Replacement ServicesIn the event of engineering the bus/coach will collect from the Medbourne Road car park, by the path leading to the platform. Please check the direction of travel before boarding.

Bedford St Johns train station facilities and services

Bedford St Johns has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Bike Parking, Car Rental, and Information Desk.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Bedford St Johns.

Tickets and information

Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0800 0248 997, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Bedford St Johns: Parking.

Bike and car services

Available at Bedford St Johns: Bike Parking, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Bedford St Johns: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.

More options for your journey from Bedford to Manchester

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTrainsTrain Times to ManchesterBedford to Manchester train

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