How much is the train ticket from Manchester to Edinburgh?

The cheapest train tickets from Manchester to Edinburgh start from R 585. The average price for this train route is around R 1 312. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from Manchester to Edinburgh?

The average train journey time from Manchester to Edinburgh is 3h 13m, covering a distance of 283 km. The quickest train can get you there in 3h 3m and is operated by Transpennine Express .

Which train operators serve the Manchester to Edinburgh route?

Several major train operators run on this route, with 18 trains available per day.

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

The earliest train from Manchester to Edinburgh departs at 08:04. And the latest train departs at 20:56.

Train Manchester to Edinburgh from R 570

Next train departures

Next departures from Manchester to Edinburgh on 12 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	20:22	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 14m	23:36	Haymarket	Cheapest
Train	12:25	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 6m	15:31	Haymarket	Fastest
Train	16:25	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 15m	19:40	Waverley	No tags
Train	16:25	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 15m	19:40	Waverley	No tags
Train	12:22	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 9m	15:31	Haymarket	No tags

Next departures from Manchester to Edinburgh on 13 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	16:21	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 17m	19:38	Waverley	Cheapest
Train	08:24	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 7m	11:31	Haymarket	Fastest
Train	08:24	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 13m	11:37	Waverley	No tags
Train	16:25	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 13m	19:38	Waverley	No tags
Train	16:25	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 13m	19:38	Waverley	No tags

Next departures from Manchester to Edinburgh on 14 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	20:26	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 13m	23:39	Haymarket	Cheapest
Train	16:30	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 3m	19:33	Haymarket	Fastest
Train	16:30	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 9m	19:39	Waverley	No tags
Train	16:30	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 9m	19:39	Waverley	No tags
Train	14:26	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 11m	17:37	Haymarket	No tags

Next departures from Manchester to Edinburgh on 15 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	20:22	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 13m	23:35	Haymarket	Cheapest
Train	10:24	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 3m	13:27	Haymarket	Fastest
Train	08:24	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 13m	11:37	Waverley	No tags
Train	10:24	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 8m	13:32	Waverley	No tags
Train	16:25	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 15m	19:40	Waverley	No tags

Next departures from Manchester to Edinburgh on 16 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	20:22	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 13m	23:35	Haymarket	Cheapest
Train	10:21	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 6m	13:27	Haymarket	Fastest
Train	08:21	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 11m	11:32	Haymarket	No tags
Train	10:21	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 6m	13:27	Haymarket	No tags
Train	12:21	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 10m	15:31	Haymarket	No tags

Next departures from Manchester to Edinburgh on 17 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	20:22	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 13m	23:35	Haymarket	Cheapest
Train	10:24	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 3m	13:27	Haymarket	Fastest
Train	08:24	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 13m	11:37	Waverley	No tags
Train	08:24	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 13m	11:37	Waverley	No tags
Train	10:24	Manchester Oxford Road	3h 8m	13:32	Waverley	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 5:39 PM GMT.

Compare 3 ways to travel from Manchester to Edinburgh

We recommend carpooling

Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as a good way to reach Edinburgh. The journey takes about 4 hours 10 minutes and with fares starting at just R 423, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

1carpool per day

4h 10mAverage duration

282 kmDistance

12kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average priceR 279 - R 2 412	Average duration7h 15m	CO₂ emissions 7kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceR 585 - R 4 952	Average duration3h 13m	CO₂ emissions 7kg CO₂e
Carpool	Average priceR 423 - R 608	Average duration4h 10m	CO₂ emissions 12kg CO₂e

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

Manchester

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

Edinburgh

A
Waverley
Boots Waverley Station, Scotland, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH2 2QP, UK
Visit page
B
Haymarket
Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5EZ, UK
Visit page
C
Edinburgh Park
Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh EH12 9FX, UK
Visit page
D
Gateway
Edinburgh Gateway, Edinburgh EH12 9GF, UK
Visit page
E
Bus Station
13-14 Multrees Walk, Edinburgh EH1 3DQ, UK
Visit page

Train Companies

Transpennine Express

3.5/522 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness3.7

Cleanliness4.6

WiFi5

Based on 22 reviews, the company was rated 3.5 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the staff and the seats but often complained with the timeliness. Transpennine Express ticket prices on this trip start at R 585

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

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Manchester to Edinburgh by train

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

How much is the train ticket from Manchester to Edinburgh?
The cheapest train tickets from Manchester to Edinburgh start from R 585. The average price for this train route is around R 1 312. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Manchester to Edinburgh?
The average train journey time from Manchester to Edinburgh is 3h 13m, covering a distance of 283 km. The quickest train can get you there in 3h 3m and is operated by Transpennine Express.
Which train operators serve the Manchester to Edinburgh route?
Several major train operators run on this route, with 18 trains available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Manchester to Edinburgh?
The earliest train from Manchester to Edinburgh departs at 08:04. And the latest train departs at 20:56.

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

R 1 249

10/12

R 1 249

Today

R 1 215

12/12

R 1 257

13/12

R 1 491

14/12

R 1 257

15/12

R 1 067

16/12

R 971

The cheapest trip from Manchester to Edinburgh was searched and found on 16 Dec 2025 with a price of R 971

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

You can expect to pay from R 971 to R 4 690 for a train ticket from Manchester to Edinburgh based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 971, which is on 2025-12-16.