Reading to Manchester Train

02/12/2024
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Reading to Manchester by train

The journey from Reading to Manchester by train is 149.86 mi and takes 3 hrs 42 mins. There are 84 connections per day, with the first departure at 02:24 and the last at 21:23. It is possible to travel from Reading to Manchester by train for as little as £49.41 or as much as £320.81. The best price for this journey is £49.41.

Lowest Price £49.41
Journey Duration 3 hrs 42 mins
Connection per Day 84
Lowest Price £49.41
Highest Price £320.81
First Departure 02:24
Last Departure 21:23
Distance 149.86 mi
Departure Reading
Arrival Manchester
Carriers Transport for Wales, TransPennine Express

Reading to Manchester Train Times

Departure date
Monday, 2 Dec 2024

Compare prices and tickets from Reading to Manchester

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

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Reading 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 Reading 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 Reading to Manchester travel

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

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Reading to Manchester

The cheapest Reading - Manchester train tickets can be found for as low as £28.22 if you’re lucky, or £31.92 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as £34.34.

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!

Carriers on this route

Find out more about the carriers on this route.

Great Western Railway (GWR) is a British railway company that operates passenger services between London and the southwest of England, as well as parts of Wales. It was founded in 1833 and was originally known as the Great Western Railway Company. GWR is now owned by FirstGroup. The company is known for its iconic green livery and its historic steam locomotives, including the famous Flying Scotsman.

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is a train operating company in the United Kingdom that operates intercity services on the "East Coast Main Line" between London, Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland. It was formed in 2018 as a result of the UK government's decision to terminate the franchise of Virgin Trains East Coast. LNER is owned by the Department for Transport and managed by the operator of the East Coast Partnership, a joint venture between infrastructure company Network Rail and train operator FirstGroup. LNER operates a fleet of electric and diesel trains, including the Azuma, which is the fastest train in the UK.

TransPennine Express is a train operating company in the United Kingdom that provides intercity train services across the North of England and Scotland. The company operates services between major cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Transpennine Express offers a range of ticket options, including advance purchase tickets, out-of-season tickets, and flexible tickets. The company also provides onboard facilities such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and refreshments.

The Welsh Government owns the non-profit organization Transport for Wales. It is responsible for the procurement and management of passenger rail services in Wales, as well as the development of the Welsh rail network. The company was established in 2018, taking over from Arriva Trains Wales, and operates services across Wales and the Borders. Transport for Wales is a great choice for your journeys within Wales, such as Cardiff to Aberdare or Newport to Swansea, or for your trips in England, like Manchester to Chester or Birmingham to Shrewsbury, and even for your travel between England and Wales.

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

Reading to Manchester CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology
Train
16.88kg
Bus
18.09kg
Flight
48.24kg
Car
38.59kg
What are the CO2 emissions from Reading to Manchester by train? The CO2 emissions from taking the train between Reading and Manchester are 16.88kg.
How much CO2 do I save by taking the train between Reading and Manchester? By taking the train between Reading and Manchester you will save 31.36kg CO2 emissions compared to a flight, 1.21kg compared to a bus and 21.71kg compared to a car.

Anything we can improve?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a train ticket from Reading to Manchester?
A train ticket from Reading to Manchester is £127.78. 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 £49.41.
What's the cheapest train ticket from Reading to Manchester?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Reading to Manchester is £49.41. 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 Reading and Manchester by train?
Reading to Manchester is 149.86 mi.
How long does the train between Reading and Manchester take?
Reading to Manchester is on average 3 hrs 42 mins. However the fastest option will get you there in 3 hrs 13 mins.
Which companies operate from Reading to Manchester?
The train journey from Reading to Manchester is covered by 5 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: Transport for Wales, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, London North Eastern Railway, Great Western Railway and CrossCountry.
How many train connections per day go from Reading to Manchester?
Reading to Manchester has 84 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first train from Reading to Manchester leave?
The earliest train from Reading to Manchester departs at 02:24. 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 Reading to Manchester depart?
The latest train from Reading to Manchester departs at 21:23. 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 Reading 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 £49.41 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 Reading to Manchester?
There are on average 4 direct connection(s) from Reading to go to Manchester.
What's the fastest journey time between Reading to Manchester by train?
The fastest journey time by train between Reading and Manchester is 3 hrs 13 mins.
Is there a direct train from Reading to Manchester?
Yes, there is a direct train between Reading and Manchester.
What are the CO2 emissions for Reading to Manchester by train?
The train journey from Reading to Manchester creates 16.88kg of CO2 emissions.

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