How much does a train ticket cost from Cardiff to Manchester?

The cheapest train tickets from Cardiff to Manchester start from £41. The average price for this train route is around £66. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from Cardiff to Manchester?

The average train journey time from Cardiff to Manchester is 3h 45m, covering a distance of 141 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 3h 19m and is operated by Transport for Wales .

Which train operators serve the Cardiff to Manchester route?

Several major train operators run on this route with 11 trains available per day, including services from Transport for Wales , CrossCountry .

What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Cardiff to Manchester?

The earliest train from Cardiff to Manchester departs at 07:23. And the latest train departs at 23:47.

Which is the best train operator from Cardiff to Manchester?

According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated train operator on this route is CrossCountry , with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars based on 44 reviews.

Which train operator has the best Wi-Fi from Cardiff to Manchester?

According to reviews on Busbud, the train operator Transport for Wales has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 5.0.

Which train operator has the most punctual service from Cardiff to Manchester?

According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual train operator on this route is Transport for Wales , with a punctuality rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Which train operator has the cleanest trains from Cardiff to Manchester?

According to Busbud traveller reviews, the train operator with the cleanest trains on this route is Transport for Wales , with a cleanliness rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Train Cardiff to Manchester from £44

Next train departures

Next departures from Cardiff to Manchester on 12 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	16:53	Cardiff Central	3h 22m	20:15	Manchester Piccadilly	Cheapest
Train	07:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	11:13	Manchester Piccadilly	Fastest
Train	08:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	08:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	09:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	13:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags

Next departures from Cardiff to Manchester on 13 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	16:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	20:13	Manchester Piccadilly	Cheapest
Train	08:54	Cardiff Central	3h 19m	12:13	Manchester Piccadilly	Fastest
Train	07:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	11:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	08:54	Cardiff Central	3h 19m	12:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	09:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	13:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags

Next departures from Cardiff to Manchester on 14 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	16:41	Cardiff Central	3h 34m	20:15	Manchester Piccadilly	Cheapest
Train	15:55	Cardiff Central	3h 19m	19:14	Manchester Piccadilly	Fastest
Train	08:42	Cardiff Central	3h 32m	12:14	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	11:45	Cardiff Central	3h 44m	15:29	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	09:45	Cardiff Central	3h 26m	13:11	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags

Next departures from Cardiff to Manchester on 16 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	15:51	Cardiff Central	3h 24m	19:15	Manchester Piccadilly	Cheapest
Train	07:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	11:13	Manchester Piccadilly	Fastest
Train	08:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	08:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	09:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	13:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags

Next departures from Cardiff to Manchester on 17 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	07:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	11:13	Manchester Piccadilly	CheapestFastest
Train	08:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	08:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	09:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	13:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	15:51	Cardiff Central	3h 24m	19:15	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags

Next departures from Cardiff to Manchester on 18 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	16:53	Cardiff Central	3h 21m	20:14	Manchester Piccadilly	Cheapest
Train	07:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	11:13	Manchester Piccadilly	Fastest
Train	08:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	08:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	09:53	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	13:13	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 19:26 GMT.

Compare 3 ways to travel from Cardiff to Manchester

We recommend carpooling

Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as a good way to reach Manchester. The journey takes about 3 hours 30 minutes and with fares starting at just £17, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

1carpool per day

3h 30mAverage duration

144 milesDistance

10kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average price£13 - £65	Average duration7h 30m	CO₂ emissions 6kg CO₂e
Train	Average price£41 - £165	Average duration3h 45m	CO₂ emissions 5kg CO₂e
Carpool	Average price£17 - £33	Average duration3h 30m	CO₂ emissions 10kg CO₂e

Where are the popular train stations and stops in Cardiff and Manchester?

Cardiff

A
Cardiff Central
Cardiff Central, UK
Visit page

Manchester

A
Shudehill
Shudehill Interchange, Stand G, Manchester M60
Visit page

Train Companies

Transport for Wales

3.5/58 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness5

Cleanliness5

WiFi5

CrossCountry

4.5/544 reviews

Staff4.5

Timeliness4.1

Cleanliness4.1

WiFi4.1

GB train companies: Amtrak, Trenitalia, Renfe, VIA Rail Canada, RegioJet, FlixTrain, Amtrak Acela

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Cardiff to Manchester by train

Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your journey.

How much does a train ticket cost from Cardiff to Manchester?
The cheapest train tickets from Cardiff to Manchester start from £41. The average price for this train route is around £66. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Cardiff to Manchester?
The average train journey time from Cardiff to Manchester is 3h 45m, covering a distance of 141 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 3h 19m and is operated by Transport for Wales.
Which train operators serve the Cardiff to Manchester route?
Several major train operators run on this route with 11 trains available per day, including services from Transport for Wales, CrossCountry.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Cardiff to Manchester?
The earliest train from Cardiff to Manchester departs at 07:23. And the latest train departs at 23:47.
Which is the best train operator from Cardiff to Manchester?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated train operator on this route is CrossCountry, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars based on 44 reviews.
Which train operator has the best Wi-Fi from Cardiff to Manchester?
According to reviews on Busbud, the train operator Transport for Wales has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 5.0.
Which train operator has the most punctual service from Cardiff to Manchester?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual train operator on this route is Transport for Wales, with a punctuality rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.
Which train operator has the cleanest trains from Cardiff to Manchester?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the train operator with the cleanest trains on this route is Transport for Wales, with a cleanliness rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Find cheapest prices for trains

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

09/12

£64

10/12

£105

Today

£106

12/12

£52

13/12

£65

14/12

£58

15/12

No data

16/12

£52

The cheapest trip from Cardiff to Manchester was searched and found on 12 Dec 2025 with a price of £52

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Cardiff to Manchester as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from £52 to £160 for a train ticket from Cardiff to Manchester based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at £52, which is on 2025-12-12.