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Cardiff to Manchester Train

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14/11/2025
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Cardiff to Manchester by train

The journey from Cardiff to Manchester by train is 143.99 mi and takes 3 hrs 32 mins. There are 26 connections per day, with the first departure at 04:35 and the last at 20:10. It is possible to travel from Cardiff to Manchester by train for as little as £44.43 or as much as £104.95. The best price for this journey is £44.43.

Lowest Price £44.43
Journey Duration 3 hrs 32 mins
Connection per Day 26
Lowest Price £44.43
Highest Price £104.95
First Departure 04:35
Last Departure 20:10
Distance 143.99 mi
Departure Cardiff
Arrival Manchester
Carriers Transport for Wales, CrossCountry

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Find the best day to travel to Manchester by train

When travelling to Manchester by train, 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!

Services on board Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast and Great Western Railway from Cardiff to Manchester
Compare services on board when travelling from Cardiff to Manchester by train.
Facilities Transport for Wales Avanti West Coast Great Western Railway
quiet_zone Quiet zone check check check
wifi WiFi check check check
power_sockets Power sockets check check check
luggage Luggage check cross check
food_and_drink Food and drink check check check

Cardiff to Manchester CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology
Train
16.22kg
Bus
17.38kg
Flight
46.35kg
Car
37.08kg
What are the CO2 emissions from Cardiff to Manchester by train? The CO2 emissions from taking the train between Cardiff and Manchester are 16.22kg.
How much CO2 do I save by taking the train between Cardiff and Manchester? By taking the train between Cardiff and Manchester you will save 30.13kg CO2 emissions compared to a flight, 1.16kg compared to a bus and 20.86kg compared to a car.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a train ticket from Cardiff to Manchester?
A train ticket from Cardiff to Manchester is £77.75. 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 £44.43.
What's the cheapest train ticket from Cardiff to Manchester?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Cardiff to Manchester is £44.43. 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 Cardiff and Manchester by train?
Cardiff to Manchester is 143.99 mi.
How long does the train between Cardiff and Manchester take?
Cardiff to Manchester is on average 3 hrs 32 mins. However the fastest option will get you there in 3 hrs 19 mins.
Which companies operate from Cardiff to Manchester?
The train journey from Cardiff to Manchester is covered by 3 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: Transport for Wales, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast and Great Western Railway.
How many train connections per day go from Cardiff to Manchester?
Cardiff to Manchester has 26 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first train from Cardiff to Manchester leave?
The earliest train from Cardiff to Manchester departs at 04:35. 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 train from Cardiff to Manchester depart?
The latest train from Cardiff to Manchester departs at 20:10. 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 Cardiff to Manchester in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest train ticket we have found is £44.43 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 Cardiff to Manchester?
There are on average 13 direct connection(s) from Cardiff to go to Manchester.
What's the fastest journey time between Cardiff to Manchester by train?
The fastest journey time by train between Cardiff and Manchester is 3 hrs 19 mins.
Is there a direct train from Cardiff to Manchester?
Yes, there is a direct train between Cardiff and Manchester.
What are the CO2 emissions for Cardiff to Manchester by train?
The train journey from Cardiff to Manchester creates 16.22kg of CO2 emissions.

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