The cheapest and fastest trains from Edinburgh to Manchester
Cheapest price
€71
Average price
€81
Fastest journey
3 h 11 m
Average duration
3 h 38 m
Trains per day
6
Distance
282 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Manchester will cost around €81 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €71.
Of the 6 trains that leave Edinburgh for Manchester on Sat, Dec 20, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Dec 20 the direct trains cover the 282 km distance in an average of 3 h 38 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 11 m .
On Sat, Dec 20 the slowest trains will take 4 h 4 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
W01975+
G92093
W01975+
L10924
W01975+
Y25416
Y39318+
Bus from Glasgow Queen Street to Glasgow Central+
W02494+
L07234
C73802
C73802
W01975+
Y25416
W01975+
G92093
W01975+
L10924
C75120+
L36765Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Edinburgh to Manchester
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €21. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 38m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €21, and a train costs an average of €40.
Distance: 282 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€69 Average price | €34 Average price Cheapest |
4h 8m Average total duration Fastest 3h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 15m Average total duration 5h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Edinburgh to Manchester train times
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Manchester trains for today, Friday, December 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C73804 | On time 8:12 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 3h10 | 11:22 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W02947+ Y25416 | On time 8:52 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 3h26 | 12:18 PM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 1 transfer | |
C40890+ L36764 | On time 9:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h09 | 1:09 PM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 1 transfer | |
C75121+ L36764 | On time 9:05 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h04 | 1:09 PM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 1 transfer | |
L37269 · L37231 | On time 9:08 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h10 | 1:18 PM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 1 transfer | |
Y39319+ Bus from Glasgow Queen Street to Glasgow Central+ L02262+ L07234 | On time 9:15 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h36 | 1:51 PM Deansgate (DGT) | 3 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Edinburgh to Manchester by train or bus
Compare train and bus 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.
Dec 19
Dec 20
Dec 21
Dec 22
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Dec 24
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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Edinburgh to Manchester?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Edinburgh to Manchester
Trains from Edinburgh to Manchester run on average 17 times per day, taking around 3h 38m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €40 but you can travel from only €21 by bus.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:04, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 282 km distance in 3h 5m.
Distance 282 km |
Average train duration 3h 38m |
Cheapest ticket price €40 |
Trains per day 17 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 3h 5m |
First train 00:04 |
Last train 23:56 |
Train companies: TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, LNER, CrossCountry, Caledonian Sleeper, first_transpennine_express from Edinburgh to Manchester trainsTransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, LNER, CrossCountry, Caledonian Sleeper, first_transpennine_express trains will get you between Edinburgh and Manchester from €21. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
TransPennine Express
Avanti West Coast
LNER
CrossCountry
Caledonian Sleeper
first_transpennine_express
FAQs: Trains from Edinburgh to Manchester
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh 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.

Passengers board the train most frequently from Edinburgh Waverley, which is located around 0.4 miles (727 m) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Manchester Piccadilly, located 0.5 miles (767 m) away from the city centre.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Edinburgh to Manchester
- Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59
- Sun: 07:00 - 23:59
- Free public Wi-Fi available.
- You can leave luggage at Excessive Baggage Company on Platform 2.
- Type of shops available: Wide range of shops Passport Photo Booth
- Car Park: New Street: Long Stay
- Bagel Factory
- Burger King
- Caffè Nero
- Costa Coffee
- JD Wetherspoon
- The Pasty Shop
- The Beer House
- M&S
- Pret a Manger
- Taxi: Nearest Taxi Ranks are on Market St and Waverley Bridge outside the station.
- Accessible taxis: Taxi ranks are located on Waverley Bridge and also Market Street. Market Street can be accessed step free via available lifts.
- Entrances are step free. Station is equipped with an elevator. Staffed with guide communicators for the deaf. Tactile warning strips are on the platform edges for the blind.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: At entrance to Public Toilets
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Baby changing facilities location: Female toilets,Male toilets,
- Old Waverley Hotel
- Jurys Inn Edinburgh
- The Scotsman Hotel
- Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59
- Sun: 07:00 - 23:59
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Cycle storage can be found in the station: by the lift at Platform 2 (37 spaces) Platform 3 (68 Spaces) and adjacent to Platform 19 (86 Spaces). Additional cycle spaces are available in New Street car park (32 spaces).
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information booths are located on the concourse.
- Bus lines: 22, 30, 33, X22, X25, X37
- Train lines: Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, CrossCountry, LNER, ScotRail, Transpennine Express
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up/drop off on Waterloo Place, pick up across from Apex Hotel and drop off outside the Apex Hotel.
- Metro: No metro available.
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:30 - 21:25 Saturday 06:30 - 21:25 Sunday 08:10 - 21:25
- Type of shops available: M&S Simply Food
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to all platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the automatic ticket gates Blue Badge parking bays: 2
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 1, the Concourse and near the entrance from Haymarket Terrace.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Waiting rooms location: Inside the station - one on platform 4 and one on platform 2 and 3
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage CCTV: No
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing)
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up/drop off from the layby in front of the station
- Car Park: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: No
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point
- Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing)
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up/drop off from the bus stop on Slateford Road at Platform 2 stair exit
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:30 - 22:00 Sunday 08:00 - 22:15
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category A station, Scooter Friendly Station - Step free access around the whole station via use of lifts between platforms 3-6, connection with Manchester Metrolink using ramps
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards Located near the ticket office.
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Wheelchairs available open hours: As per ticket office opening hours
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: A key is available in the Duty's Manager's office.
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: on platform and approach
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick up point is on Station Approach (M3 1WY) directly outside the station main entrance, outside the M & S shop.
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:30 - 22:40 Sunday 07:30 - 22:00
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Category B Station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station - There are two lifts at the Piccadilly end of platform 4 and 2/3 which connect the concourse area platform 4 and 5 with 2/3. Note: there is no lift access to platform 1 at all
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: There will be no toilet provision at Manchester Oxford Road from 15th July to 25th July to allow for existing toilets to be refurbished
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: on Platform 4/5
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at the bus stops on Whitworth St West (200 yards from station) (station side for Liverpool, opposite side for Piccadilly)
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:20 - 23:40 Sunday 08:10 - 23:30
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category A station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station From Whitworth Street, up a ramp (43 paces, 1:25 slope) and level access through the entrance into the foyer. Or from the junction of Chester Road, Whitworth Street and Deansgate, level access through the entrance, along the corridor and up 21 steps into the foyer. Then, to Manchester: Past the ticket office, via the lift in the foyer. Or up a ramp (34 paces), up 17 steps onto the platform. To Bolton, Warrington and Wigan : Via the lift in the foyer or along the subway (26 paces), up a ramp (32 paces) and up 18 steps onto the platform. Level access to Manchester platform also via overbridge from Metrolink G-Mex Metrolink stop. Lift available first to last train, currently 06:20 - 23:40 Monday to Saturday. 08:10 - 23:30 Sunday.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Onward travel information: Free Metro shuttle bus link from station front serving Manchester City centre including Victoria Station On both sides of Whitworth Street, Deansgate and Chester Road for buses to Piccadilly Gardens, Altrincham or Sale. Contact Busline 0871 200 2233
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at bus stops on Whitworth St.
- Metro: Metrolink G-Mex tram stop linked by footbridge from Manchester platform. 0161 228 7811
Most popular train connections from Edinburgh
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