London to Manchester Bus

22/10/2024
+ Add return
Stay with Booking.com

Find the cheapest ticket for your trip

Secure your ticket today and get the best deals!

Today £6.94
Tomorrow £8.11
2 days £7.59
3 days £9.94
Show tickets by

London to Manchester by bus

The journey from London to Manchester by bus is 163.38 mi and takes 5 hrs 43 mins. There are 260 connections per day, with the first departure at 00:30 and the last at 23:59. It is possible to travel from London to Manchester by bus for as little as £6.06 or as much as £81.15. The best price for this journey is £6.06.

Lowest Price£6.06
Journey Duration5 hrs 43 mins
Connection per Day260
Lowest Price£6.06
Highest Price£81.15
First Departure00:30
Last Departure23:59
Distance163.38 mi
DepartureLondon
ArrivalManchester
CarriersMegabus, West Midlands RailwayMore

London to Manchester Bus Times

Departure date
Tuesday, 22 Oct 2024

Your journey from London to Manchester with Virail

Virail helps thousands of travelers plan their journeys every year. How? It's easy. Just enter the dates on which you plan to travel from London to Manchester. Our powerful engine will look at the data from thousands of travel providers, then show you all the available routes. You can choose to travel however you want. Decide on the type of transport you want to use, what time of day you'd like to set off and whether you'd like a direct journey or one with connections. When you've found your ideal route, Virail will redirect you to the web page of the provider. There, you can make your booking, then it's time to prepare for your trip.

How much does it cost to get from London to Manchester by bus?

Prices will vary when you travel from London to Manchester. On average, though, you'll pay about £22.26 for a bus ticket. You can find bus tickets for prices as low as £6.06, but it may require some flexibility with your travel plans. If you're looking for a low price, you may need to prepare to spend more time in transit. You can also often find cheaper bus tickets at particular times of day, or on certain days of the week. Of course, ticket prices often change during the year, too; expect to pay more in peak season. For the lowest prices, it's usually best to make your reservation in advance. Be careful, though, as many providers do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest bus tickets.
Unfortunately, no price was found for your trip from London to Manchester. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find price results.
The prices for bus tickets from London to Manchester vary depending on a range of factors including how far in advance you're booking, your travel dates, and the type of transport you want to use. On certain routes, there may be different classes available, which will also affect the price. The average bus ticket price is approximately £22.26. For the lowest prices, it is usually best to book as far in advance as possible and look out for low-cost options, such as non-refundable tickets or traveling outside of peak hours. Be aware that some providers do not offer refunds or changes on their lower priced tickets, so it is advised to check before completing your transaction.

How long is the journey from London to Manchester by bus?

The distance between London to Manchester is approximately 163.38 mi. In general, it will take you about 5 hrs 43 mins to complete the journey between the two cities. However, it is important to remember that journey times may vary according to a number of factors, including seasonal weather conditions, local events or diversions, and the type of terrain that must be crossed. Keep this in mind if you are intending to make a later connection, and always plan accordingly. In order to get from London to Manchester faster, consider looking for an express service that makes fewer stops along the way. Conversely, a connecting route may, in some circumstances, be faster than a direct journey. The fastest routes between London and Manchester will complete the journey in 3 hrs 50 mins.On average, it will take you about 5 hrs 43 mins to travel the 163.38 mi between London and Manchester.

How many times a day do journeys run from London to Manchester?

The exact number of journeys from London to Manchester can vary from day to day. Some services may only run on particular days of the week, while others might be seasonal. In general, an average of 260 departures leave each day. These are run by a number of different transport providers, including . On particularly busy days, there can be up to departures. You can usually expect there to be more connections on weekdays. Many providers run fewer journeys on weekends or public holidays. As a traveler, you may prefer to take a direct route from London to Manchester. However, you will find more options available to you if you are willing to take a connecting route. These pass through one or more different cities, and you'll have to change along the way. Not all travelers feel comfortable making multiple connections, but if you are, then you will enjoy greater flexibility when making your booking. The exact number of daily departures from London to Manchester varies, but in general, you can expect to find 160 direct connections with no changes leaving each day. Travelers who are happy to take an indirect route will find, on average, 100 journeys with one change or more. Unfortunately, no connection was found for your trip from London to Manchester. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find connections.

Show full descriptionHide full description

Compare prices and tickets from London to Manchester

Cheap bus tickets from London to Manchester
Looking for the best deal on a train ticket for your trip? Here are 4 ways to get cheap train tickets from London to Manchester.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from London to Manchester, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from London to Manchester.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

Best time to book London to Manchester travel

Virail Pro Tip ✌: Booking 10 days in advance save 10% on average

Price as departure date approaches

Bus companies may charge higher ticket prices as the date of departure approaches. Prices in the next days can range from around £4.10 to £15.90 but may be subject to change. Our advice is to book as early as possible to potentially save up to 74% on your trip!

Best time to book cheap bus tickets from London to Manchester

The cheapest London - Manchester bus tickets can be found for as low as £7.34 if you’re lucky, or £8.93 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as £13.36.

Find the best day to travel to Manchester by bus

When travelling to Manchester by bus, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Carriers on this route

Find out more about the carriers on this route.

Megabus is a low-cost intercity bus service that operates in North America, Canada, and Europe. It was founded in 2003 and is owned by Stagecoach Group, a multinational transport company. Megabus retains its own brand in Britain and North America, but in Continental Europe, including France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands, its services have been rebranded as Flixbus since the acquisition by a German company in June 2016.

National Express is a British multinational public transport company that operates bus, and rail services in the UK, Europe, North Africa, and North America. The company was founded in 1972 and has its headquarters in Birmingham, UK. National Express operates a fleet of over 1,600 buses, serving over 900 destinations across the UK. The company also operates rail services in the UK, including the East Anglia franchise.

The Airline is a company that provides air transportation services to passengers and cargo. It operates flights to various destinations around the world, using a fleet of aircraft that range from small regional jets to large wide-body planes. The airline offers different classes of service, including economy, business, and first class, with varying levels of amenities and comfort. It also provides additional services such as in-flight entertainment, meals, and baggage handling. The airline is subject to various regulations and safety standards, and employs a team of pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, and other staff to ensure the safe and efficient operation of its flights.

West Midlands Railway is a train operating company that provides passenger services across the West Midlands region of England.The West Midlands Trains consortium, composed of Abellio, JR East, and Mitsui, won the franchise for the region, leading to the establishment of the service in 2017. The West Midlands Railway offers a variety of services, including longer distance services to cities like London and Liverpool as well as local and regional trains.

Services on board Megabus, West Midlands Railway and Avanti West Coast from London to Manchester
Compare services on board when travelling from London to Manchester by bus.
Facilities Megabus West Midlands Railway Avanti West Coast The Airline National Express FlixBus
wifi WiFi check check check cross check check
power_sockets Power sockets check check check check check check
luggage Luggage check check cross cross check check
air_con Air conditioning check cross cross check check check
accessibility Accessibility check cross cross cross check check
quiet_zone Quiet zone cross check check cross check cross
food_and_drink Food and drink cross check check cross check check
bicycle Bicycle cross cross cross cross check check
sleeper_couchette Sleeper cross cross cross cross check cross

London to Manchester CO2 Emissions by Bus

Ecology
Train
18.41kg
Bus
19.72kg
Flight
52.59kg
Car
42.07kg

Anything we can improve?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a bus ticket from London to Manchester?
A bus ticket from London to Manchester is £22.26. However the price varies depending on how early you buy, and if it's peak time to travel. Occasionally you can find them for as cheap as £6.06.
What's the cheapest bus ticket from London to Manchester?
The cheapest ticket you can get from London to Manchester is £6.06. We recommend booking as early as possible and off-peak hours to get the cheapest ticket possible. Off-peak times are usually from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00.
What's the distance between London and Manchester by bus?
London to Manchester is 163.38 mi.
How long does the bus between London and Manchester take?
London to Manchester is on average 5 hrs 43 mins. However the fastest option will get you there in 3 hrs 50 mins.
Which companies operate from London to Manchester?
The bus journey from London to Manchester is covered by 5 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: Megabus, West Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, The Airline, National Express and FlixBus.
How many bus connections per day go from London to Manchester?
London to Manchester has 260 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first bus from London to Manchester leave?
The earliest bus from London to Manchester departs at 00:30. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What time does the last bus from London to Manchester depart?
The latest bus from London to Manchester departs at 23:59. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
Should I book my ticket from London to Manchester in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest bus ticket we have found is £6.06 but this may be subject to change depending on the day of travel, hour you wish to depart and how far in advance you book.
How many direct connections depart from London to Manchester?
There are on average 160 direct connection(s) from London to go to Manchester.
What's the fastest journey time between London to Manchester by bus?
The fastest journey time by bus between London and Manchester is 3 hrs 50 mins.
Is there a direct bus from London to Manchester?
Yes, there is a direct bus between London and Manchester.
What are the CO2 emissions for London to Manchester by bus?
The bus journey from London to Manchester creates 19.72kg of CO2 emissions.

Go local from London

Trending routes

Weekend getaways from London

International routes from London and nearby areas

Other destinations from London

Main routes to Manchester

Related routes

Other popular routes