Manchester to Edinburgh train

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The cheapest and fastest trains from Manchester to Edinburgh

Showing times and prices for Mar 21

Cheapest price

€65

Average price

€66

Fastest journey

3 h 16 m

Average duration

3 h 28 m

Trains per day

Distance

282 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Manchester to Edinburgh will cost around €66 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €65.

Fast trains

Of the 5 trains that leave Manchester for Edinburgh every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Fri, Mar 21 the direct trains cover the 282 km distance in an average of 3 h 28 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 16 m .

The slowest trains will take 3 h 43 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.

04:56PM3h28

Manchester

08:24PMEdinburgh

€651One-way

0 transfers

06:15PM4h06

Manchester

10:21PMEdinburgh

€661One-way

0 transfers

06:53PM3h28

Manchester

10:21PMEdinburgh

€661One-way

0 transfers

09:09AM5h10

Manchester

02:19PMEdinburgh

€661One-way

0 transfers

02:38PM3h43

Manchester

06:21PMEdinburgh

€661One-way

0 transfers

Manchester to Edinburgh train times

Showing trains for tomorrow, Friday, March 21

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Transfers
Avanti West CoastAvanti West Coast	06:53PM Manchester	3h28	10:21PM Edinburgh	0 transfersDirect
Avanti West CoastAvanti West Coast	02:38PM Manchester	3h43	06:21PM Edinburgh	0 transfersDirect
Avanti West CoastAvanti West Coast	09:09AM Manchester	5h10	02:19PM Edinburgh	0 transfersDirect
CrossCountryCrossCountry	09:45AM Manchester	4h24	02:09PM Edinburgh	0 transfersDirect
LNERLNER	01:15PM Manchester	4h08	05:23PM Edinburgh	0 transfersDirect

Find all the dates and times for this journey

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

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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Manchester to Edinburgh?

The best time to book your train from Manchester to Edinburgh is 91 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Manchester to Edinburgh route.

Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Manchester to Edinburgh per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Manchester to Edinburgh.

Trains

from €53

Buses

from €20

Flights

from €545

Journey information

Overview: Train from Manchester to Edinburgh

Trains from Manchester to Edinburgh run on average 23 times per day, taking around 3h 55m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €23 but you can travel from only €13 by bus.

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 €13

Distance

281 km

Average train duration

3h 55m

Cheapest ticket price

€23

Trains per day

Direct trains

Train providers

Fastest train

3h 13m

First train

05:52

Last train

20:30

Price information

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Bus from €13

Train companies: TransPennine Express, Virgin Trains and East Coast trains Manchester to Edinburgh

Find the best trains to Edinburgh from Manchester with Omio's travel partners TransPennine Express, Virgin Trains and East Coast from €33. We can find you the best deals, timetables and tickets when comparing and booking the best route.

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.

Manchester to Edinburgh train information with TransPennine Express:

Average Duration: 3 h 13 min
Cheapest Price: €33

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.

Manchester to Edinburgh train information with Virgin Trains:

Average Duration: 3 h 20 min
Cheapest Price: €37

LNER is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates a wide range of services, from high-speed intercity trains to local services. Its most popular routes include London to Edinburgh, London to Leeds, and London to York. LNER offers a variety of train types, including the Azuma, InterCity 225, and HST. The Azuma is a modern, high-speed train that offers comfortable seating and onboard Wi-Fi. The InterCity 225 is a classic train that offers a more traditional experience. The HST is a high-speed train that offers a smooth ride and plenty of legroom. LNER offers a variety of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak. Advance tickets are the cheapest option and must be booked in advance. Anytime tickets are more expensive but can be used at any time. Off-Peak tickets are the most affordable option for travelling during off-peak times. Onboard facilities include comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. LNER also offers a range of discounts and special offers, making it an affordable and convenient way to travel.

Manchester to Edinburgh train information with East Coast:

Average Duration: 4 h 5 min
Cheapest Price: €83

Northern Trains is one of many publicly owned train providers in the United Kingdom. Headquartered in York, Northern operates local and regional trains across the entire north of England connecting regions of the North East, North West, East Midlands, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and the Humber coast line. Advance, Off-Peak and Anytime Day tickets can be purchased for Northern train journeys to Edinburgh from Manchester. There is only one class option on Northern trains: Standard.

Manchester to Edinburgh train information with Northern Rail (3):

Average Duration: 3 h 22 min
Cheapest Price: €204
Northern Rail (3) frequency: 4 a day

FAQs: Trains from Manchester to Edinburgh

FAQs: Travel by train from Manchester to Edinburgh easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Manchester to Edinburgh.

Cheap train tickets from Manchester to Edinburgh can start from as little as €19 when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Manchester to Edinburgh is €50; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.

The train time between Manchester and Edinburgh is on average 3 h 13 min for the 281 km long journey, but the time it takes to go to Edinburgh from Manchester by train can vary depending on specific dates or if traveling on weekends and holidays.

The first train from Manchester to Edinburgh leaves at 01: 22. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.

The last train from Manchester to Edinburgh leaves at 22: 58.

Yes, it is possible to travel from Manchester to Edinburgh without having to change trains with TransPennine Express or first_transpennine_express. There is 1 direct train from Manchester to Edinburgh each day. There may be fewer direct services available on weekends or holidays.

For the best Manchester to Edinburgh train to purchase, you can travel safely and comfortably with TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, LNER, CrossCountry, Northern Rail (3) or first_transpennine_express. However, it's always good to check all possible train companies with services from Manchester to Edinburgh to compare what amenities they may offer.

No, there are no night trains, the latest train for this route is 22: 58.

Passengers board the train most frequently from Manchester Piccadilly, which is located around 0.5 miles (767 m) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Edinburgh Waverley, located 0.4 miles (727 m) away from the city centre.

A trip to Edinburgh from Manchester is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 3 h 13 min each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.

The cheapest month for a train from Manchester to Edinburgh is July.

You have options as you can travel between Manchester and Edinburgh 3 different ways: train, coach or flight.

Popular train stations from Manchester to Edinburgh

Manchester

Edinburgh

The major train station for departures in Manchester is Manchester Airport. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Manchester Airport for your trip from Manchester to Edinburgh.

Manchester Airport Wifi

Amenities at train station

Wifi

Shopping

Parking

Dining

ATM

Accessibility

Ticket Office

Address

Manchester Airport station, Malaga Avenue, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M90 3RR

Ticket Office Hours

Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 06:30 - 22:30

Distance to city center

13 km

Shopping

Type of shops available: Passport Photo Booth

Parking

Car Park: No

Accessibility

Staff help available: Yes
Step free access coverage: Yes
Step free access note: re Step free access is provided from the Ground Transport Interchange to all platforms via lifts or ramps. This station is staffed for all services. This station is Category A. Station staff can provide assistance from Meeting Point 1 (adjacent to the Station Booking Office) and throughout the railway station, and with boarding and alighting the train. Customers requiring assistance should make themselves known to station staff no less than 20 minutes prior to the departure time of their train. Customers requiring assistance to access other services or to connect with terminals should request this from their airline or Manchester Airport Group. Assistance can be requested in advance by contacting the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay). Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge.
Accessible public telephones: In the station cafe on platforms 2 and 3
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: Yes

Toilets Location: The toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts. The Ladies toilets are located at the end of Platform 3. The Gents toilets are located at the end of Platform 2. The National key toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts, at the end of Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
National key toilets: Yes
National key toilets location: The National key toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts, at the end of Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
Baby changing facilities: Yes

Public transit options for Manchester Airport

Location for Rail Replacement Services: Rail Replacement bus services depart from stands L & M of the adjacent Bus Station which is situated close to the ticket office.

Manchester Oxford Road Parking

Amenities at train station

Parking

Dining

Accessibility

Hotel

Lost and Found Office

Ticket Office

Address

Manchester Oxford Road station, Station Approach, Oxford Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 6FU

Ticket Office Hours

Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:30 - 22:40 Sunday 07:30 - 22:00

Parking

Car Park: No

Accessibility

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

Public transit options for Manchester Oxford Road

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)

Manchester Piccadilly Wifi