How much is the train ticket from Cardiff to Manchester?

The cheapest train tickets from Cardiff to Manchester start at COP 162,260. The average price for this train route is around COP 259,098. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance to increase your chances of getting the lowest possible price.

How long is the train ride from Cardiff to Manchester?

The average train trip from Cardiff to Manchester takes 3h 44m and covers 230 km. The quickest train gets you there in 3h 18m and is operated by Transport for Wales .

Which train operators serve the Cardiff to Manchester route?

Several major train operators serve this route, with 12 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 7:28am. The latest train departs at 7:51pm.

What 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 46 reviews.

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

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

Which train operator has the best on-time performance 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 COP 184,092

Next train departures

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on April 25
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	7:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	11:13am	Manchester Piccadilly	Cheapest
Train	8:54am	Cardiff Central	3h 19m	12:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	Fastest
Train	8:54am	Cardiff Central	3h 19m	12:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	9:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	1:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	3:53pm	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	7:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on April 26
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	8:42am	Cardiff Central	3h 32m	12:14pm	Manchester Piccadilly	Cheapest
Train	3:55pm	Cardiff Central	3h 19m	7:14pm	Manchester Piccadilly	Fastest
Train	9:44am	Cardiff Central	3h 27m	1:11pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	11:45am	Cardiff Central	3h 44m	3:29pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	10:43am	Cardiff Central	3h 32m	2:15pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on April 27
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	7:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	11:13am	Manchester Piccadilly	CheapestFastest
Train	8:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	8:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	9:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	1:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	3:51pm	Cardiff Central	3h 24m	7:15pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on April 28
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	7:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	11:13am	Manchester Piccadilly	CheapestFastest
Train	8:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	8:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	9:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	1:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	3:51pm	Cardiff Central	3h 24m	7:15pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on April 29
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	7:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	11:13am	Manchester Piccadilly	CheapestFastest
Train	8:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	8:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	9:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	1:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	3:51pm	Cardiff Central	3h 24m	7:15pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on April 30
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	7:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	11:13am	Manchester Piccadilly	CheapestFastest
Train	8:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	8:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	9:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	1:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	3:51pm	Cardiff Central	3h 24m	7:15pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on May 1
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	7:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	11:13am	Manchester Piccadilly	CheapestFastest
Train	8:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	8:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	12:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	9:53am	Cardiff Central	3h 20m	1:13pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags
Train	3:51pm	Cardiff Central	3h 24m	7:15pm	Manchester Piccadilly	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 9:25 PM BST.

Compare 2 ways to go from Cardiff to Manchester

We recommend taking the bus

Among the sustainable travel choices, the Bus stands out as a good way to reach Manchester. The journey takes about 7 hours 30 minutes, and with fares starting at just COP 67,463, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

25bus per day

7h 30mAverage Duration

226 kmDistance

6kgCO₂ emissions

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average PriceCOP 67,463 - COP 220,757	Average Duration7h 30m	CO₂ emissions 6kg CO₂e
Train	Average PriceCOP 162,260 - COP 847,417	Average Duration3h 44m	CO₂ emissions 6kg 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

Staff5.0

Timeliness5.0

Cleanliness5.0

Wi‑Fi5.0

CrossCountry

4.3/547 reviews

Staff4.6

Timeliness4.0

Cleanliness4.0

Wi‑Fi3.5

GB train companies:RegioJet, CrossCountry, FlixTrain, Great Western Railway, Northern, ScotRail, Transpennine Express

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Cardiff to Manchester by train

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

How much is the train ticket from Cardiff to Manchester?
The cheapest train tickets from Cardiff to Manchester start at COP 162,260. The average price for this train route is around COP 259,098. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance to increase your chances of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the train ride from Cardiff to Manchester?
The average train trip from Cardiff to Manchester takes 3h 44m and covers 230 km. The quickest train gets you there in 3h 18m and is operated by Transport for Wales.
Which train operators serve the Cardiff to Manchester route?
Several major train operators serve this route, with 12 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 7:28am. The latest train departs at 7:51pm.
What 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 46 reviews.
Which train operator has the best Wi-Fi from Cardiff to Manchester?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the train operator Transport for Wales has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 5.0.
Which train operator has the best on-time performance 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

04-22

COP 276,119

04-23

COP 337,568

Today

COP 337,240

04-25

COP 246,014

04-26

COP 215,800

04-27

COP 245,832

04-28

COP 245,832

04-29

COP 214,087

The cheapest trip from Cardiff to Manchester was searched and found on Apr 29, 2026 with a price of COP 214,087

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 COP 214,087 to COP 807,180 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 COP 214,087 which is on 2026-04-29.

Usually CrossCountry will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.