Next bus departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bus | Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens) | Shudehill | Cheapest | ||||
| Bus | Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens) | Manchester (Moss Lane East) | Fastest | ||||
| Bus | Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens) | Manchester Airport | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens) | Manchester Airport | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens) | Manchester Airport | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Today at 6:11 AM GMT.
Compare 3 ways to travel from Cardiff to Manchester
Among the sustainable travel choices, the Carpool stands out as a good way to reach Manchester. The journey takes about 3 hours 20 minutes and with fares starting at just R 423, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular stops in Cardiff and Manchester?
Stops in Cardiff
- A
Cardiff Coach Station - Sophia Gardens
22 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff CF11 9LJ, UK - B2 Sophia Cl, Cardiff CF11, UK
- C
Cardiff University (o/s Cathays Rail Stn)
50 Park Place (Bus Stop, o/s Cathays Rail Stn), Cardiff CF10 - D
Cardiff - Castle Street Bus Stop
21A Castle St, Cardiff CF10 1BT, UK - E
National Museum
Gorsedd Gardens Rd, Cardiff CF10 3NP, UK - F
Cardiff Bus Stop - Westgate
206 Westgate St, Cardiff CF10, UK
Stops in Manchester
- A16 Chorlton St, Manchester M1 3HW, UK
- BShudehill Interchange, Stand G, Manchester M60
- C
Manchester Airport
- D
56 Great Bridgewater St
56 Great Bridgewater St, Manchester M1 5LE, UK - E
City of Manchester Stadium
Citylink, Manchester M40 7EP, UK - F
Manchester Coach Station
Manchester Coach Station, Chorlton St., , Manchester M1 3JF, United Kingdom
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Frequently asked questions about travelling from Cardiff to Manchester by bus
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 bus ticket from Cardiff to Manchester?
The cheapest bus tickets from Cardiff to Manchester start at R 294. The average price for this route is around R 418. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus journey from Cardiff to Manchester?
The average bus journey time from Cardiff to Manchester is 7h 30m, covering a distance of 229 km. The fastest bus gets you there in 4h 55m and is operated by National Express.
Which bus companies service the Cardiff to Manchester route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 16 buses available per day, including services from FlixBus, National Express, Megabus UK.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Cardiff to Manchester?
The earliest bus departs from Cardiff to Manchester at 00:45. And the latest bus departs at 23:25.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Cardiff to Manchester?
A bus trip from Cardiff to Manchester produces an estimated 6 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and Busbud’s recommended way to travel.
What is the best bus company from Cardiff to Manchester?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is National Express, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 29871 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Cardiff to Manchester?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company National Express has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.4.
Which bus company offers the most punctual service from Cardiff to Manchester?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is National Express, with a punctuality rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Cardiff to Manchester?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is National Express, with a cleanliness rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Cardiff to Manchester was searched and found on 12 Feb 2026 with a price of R 257To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Cardiff to Manchester as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from R 257 to R 1 137 for a bus ticket from Cardiff to Manchester based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 307, which is on 2026-02-13.
What's the cheapest way to go from Cardiff to Manchester?
The Bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination
