Cheap ticket alerts
Get notified by email when TransPennine Express Advance tickets go on sale
About Manchester
Often named the Capital of the North, Manchester is one of the most dynamic and lively cities in Europe. From Chinatown and Canal Street to the Northern Quarter and Spinningfields, this is definitely a city worth visiting. And, with trains to Manchester from Leeds and Preston taking less than an hour and around 2 and half hours from Newcastle, it’s easy to explore for a day, a weekend or longer.
Cheap train tickets to Manchester from across the UK
Travelling to Manchester? The North’s biggest city is packed with history, culture and fantastic things to see and do. To help you make the most of your trip you can book cheap train tickets to Manchester with TransPennine Express.
Travel Links
All TransPennine Express trains to Manchester stop at Manchester Victoria, Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Oxford Road. You can continue your journey on free city centre buses that operate outside Manchester train stations on a regular basis. In addition, Manchester Plusbus offers unlimited bus travel around the city and can be bought with your train ticket. The Metrolink tram system runs through Manchester city centre and beyond, with an interchange at Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria stations.
Manchester Train Stations
There are four major train stations in the centre of Manchester - Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Victoria and Deansgate.
Manchester Piccadilly is the main hub, with trains from Liverpool Lime Street, Edinburgh, Huddersfield, Cleethorpes, Leeds, Newcastle and Manchester Airport. Trains from Liverpool and Edinburgh also stop at Manchester Oxford Road.
If you're coming from (or going to) Liverpool Lime Street, Newcastle, Hull or Manchester Airport, these trains run through Manchester Victoria.
First and last trains to and from Manchester
The first and last trains for Manchester depend on where you're coming from or going to.
Trains to Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road run from around 5am until midnight, with some services running later from Manchester Piccadilly. For Manchester Victoria, trains arrive from 6am until around 00:30. Check the live train times for your chosen station for more information.
If you're leaving Manchester, trains start at around 5am and stop at around midnight, with some trains leaving later from Manchester Piccadilly.
If you have a late night flight, there are occasional services throughout the night for the airport at Manchester Piccadilly.
FAQs
Are there car parks at Manchester stations?
How can I get cheap train tickets to Manchester?
Which is the main station in Manchester?
How long does it take to get to Manchester by train?
Are there any amenities available on trains to Manchester, such as food and beverage service or Wi-Fi?
Things to do in Manchester
Manchester’s Gay Village centres on Canal Street. A haven of bars and restaurants, this is the place to put on your glad rags and let your hair down. The free Science and Industry Museum is packed with hands-on exhibitions and a huge collection of vintage engines of all types. Are Pre-Raphaelite paintings more your thing? Then don't miss, Manchester Art Gallery with its outstanding mix of classical and contemporary art. Or you can head to The Whitworth for new, contemporary art set within a leafy park.
Hotels - Where to stay in Manchester
Manchester boasts three 5-star hotels, the Lowry Hotel is set by the riverside and is known for housing some big-name football stars. Then there's the swish The Edwardian hotel with its fantastic spa and Peter Street Kitchen, an award-winning Japanese/Mexican fusion restaurant. Plus Hotel Gotham takes over a former bank complete with a bar in the vaults and decadent rooms.
The best Restaurants in Manchester
Veggies and vegans should head to The Allotment for their locally-sourced all-plant based menu. The stunning interior of Dishoom is not to be missed, with original stained glass from its early days as a Freemason's Hall. It serves up traditional Bombay-irani cafe style food and is applauded for its Bacon Naan breakfasts! For post-shopping food, try The Corn Exchange, opposite Manchester Arndale and home to no less than 12 restaurants.
Shopping IN MANCHESTER
Manchester Arndale is one of the UK's largest inner-city shopping complexes and it has almost everything you need under one roof. However, if you want a little bit more, opposite Manchester Arndale on Exchange Square you’ll find Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.
Explore the Northern Quarter for some truly unique independent shops. At the Craft & Design Centre you’ll find it full of independent makers selling clothing, textiles, ceramics and accessories.
For more ideas of what to do in Manchester, check out Visit Manchester.
Cheap train tickets from [departure_station] to [arrival_station]
Grab cheap train tickets from [departure_station] to [arrival_station] and save over 50% when you book in advance. Check out some of the best ways you can get your hands on cheap tickets from [departure_station] to [arrival_station] by train below. For more money-saving tips on train travel across the North and Scotland, read our cheap train tickets guide.
Buy cheap Advance tickets
Did you know you can book train tickets up to 24 weeks before you travel? Buying Advance tickets is one of the best ways to save on rail fares. Be the first to know when our Advance tickets are available by signing up for cheap ticket alerts. So, get ahead of the game for your next trip and you could save over 50%*!
Choose a season ticket
A season ticket is one of the best ways to secure over a third off train tickets if you regularly travel along the same route. Not only will you get the cheapest fares, but you’ll also save time by skipping the ticket queue. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket is right for you.
Get a Railcard
If a guaranteed third off train tickets sounds like music to your ears, a Railcard could be the perfect option. Whether you’re a student, senior, jobseeker, or just love to travel, there’s a Railcard for you. Available for one or three years, these cards help you explore the North and Scotland for less. Check out the different TransPennine Express Railcards.
Travel during Off-Peak times
Train ticket prices vary depending on the time of day. If you’re flexible with your travel times, you can bag the cheapest fares by choosing Off-Peak tickets. Check trains an hour or two before or after your ideal time to see if you can sneak some savings. Read about the different types of train tickets in our guide.
Stay in the loop
Subscribe to our emails to get access to special offers, exclusive competitions, and the best travel tips directly to your inbox.