What is the distance between Cardiff and Manchester?

About 144 miles (232 km) separate Cardiff and Manchester.

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Cardiff to Manchester?

If you're headed to Manchester from Cardiff, chances are that your bus will leave from Cardiff Coach Station - Sophia Gardens and arrive at Shudehill. These are the main departure and arrival locations on this route, but you can find others that could fit better into your travel plans.

What are the best sights and things to do in Manchester?

Once in Manchester, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Chinatown, Manchester City Football Club, Robinsons Brewery Visitor Centre, City Centre Cruises and Jodrell Bank.

Bus Cardiff to Manchester from $15 | Refundable Tickets

Next bus departures

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on November 24
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	10:10pm	Cardiff Coach Station - Sophia Gardens	9h 5m	7:15am	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	Cheapest
Bus	10:15pm	Cardiff University (opp Cathays Rail Stn)	9h	7:15am	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	Fastest
Bus	10:10pm	Cardiff Coach Station - Sophia Gardens	9h 5m	7:15am	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	No tags
Bus	10:15pm	Cardiff University (opp Cathays Rail Stn)	9h	7:15am	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	No tags

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on November 25
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	5:05am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	7h 25m	12:30pm	Shudehill	Cheapest
Bus	8:20am	Sophia Gardens	5h 25m	1:45pm	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	Fastest
Bus	12:15pm	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	8h 10m	8:25pm	Manchester Airport	No tags
Bus	2:35am	Sophia Gardens	8h 5m	10:40am	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	No tags
Bus	10:40am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	7h 10m	5:50pm	Shudehill	No tags

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on November 26
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	5:05am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	7h 5m	12:10pm	Manchester (Moss Lane East)	Cheapest
Bus	8:20am	Sophia Gardens	5h 25m	1:45pm	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	Fastest
Bus	5:15pm	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	12h 10m	5:25am	Manchester Airport	No tags
Bus	2:35am	Sophia Gardens	8h 5m	10:40am	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	No tags
Bus	5:05am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	7h 25m	12:30pm	Shudehill	No tags

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on November 27
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	5:05am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	7h 25m	12:30pm	Shudehill	Cheapest
Bus	8:20am	Sophia Gardens	5h 25m	1:45pm	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	Fastest
Bus	5:15pm	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	12h 10m	5:25am	Manchester Airport	No tags
Bus	2:35am	Sophia Gardens	8h 5m	10:40am	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	No tags
Bus	8:45am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	6h 55m	3:40pm	Shudehill	No tags

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on November 28
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	12:45pm	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	8h 5m	8:50pm	Shudehill	Cheapest
Bus	8:45am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	6h 35m	3:20pm	Manchester (Moss Lane East)	Fastest
Bus	5:15pm	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	12h 10m	5:25am	Manchester Airport	No tags
Bus	2:35am	Sophia Gardens	8h 5m	10:40am	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	No tags
Bus	5:05am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	7h 25m	12:30pm	Shudehill	No tags

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on November 29
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	10:40am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	7h 10m	5:50pm	Shudehill	Cheapest
Bus	6:10am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	6h	12:10pm	Manchester (Moss Lane East)	Fastest
Bus	5:15pm	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	12h 10m	5:25am	Manchester Airport	No tags
Bus	2:45am	Sophia Gardens	7h 55m	10:40am	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	No tags
Bus	6:10am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	6h 20m	12:30pm	Shudehill	No tags

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on November 30
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	5:15pm	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	12h 10m	5:25am	Manchester Airport	Cheapest
Bus	6:10am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	6h	12:10pm	Manchester (Moss Lane East)	Fastest
Bus	6:10am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	6h 20m	12:30pm	Shudehill	No tags
Bus	2:45am	Sophia Gardens	7h 55m	10:40am	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	No tags
Bus	9:15am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	6h 25m	3:40pm	Shudehill	No tags

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on December 1
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	5:15pm	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	12h 10m	5:25am	Manchester Airport	Cheapest
Bus	8:45am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	6h 35m	3:20pm	Manchester (Moss Lane East)	Fastest
Bus	5:05am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	7h 25m	12:30pm	Shudehill	No tags
Bus	2:35am	Sophia Gardens	8h 5m	10:40am	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	No tags
Bus	8:45am	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	6h 55m	3:40pm	Shudehill	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 6:51 PM GMT.

Compare 3 ways to go from Cardiff to Manchester

We recommend carpooling

Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as the good way to reach Manchester. The journey takes about 3 hours 50 minutes and with fares starting at just $22, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

1carpool per day

3h 50mAverage Duration

144 milesDistance

10kgCO₂ emissions

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$17 - $85	Average Duration7h 40m	CO₂ emissions 5kg CO₂e
Train	Average Price$53 - $216	Average Duration3h 35m	CO₂ emissions 6kg CO₂e
Carpool	Average Price$22 - $43	Average Duration3h 50m	CO₂ emissions 10kg CO₂e

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
Visit page
B
Sophia Gardens
2 Sophia Cl, Cardiff CF11, UK
Visit page
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

A
Shudehill
Shudehill Interchange, Stand G, Manchester M60
Visit page
B
Manchester Airport
Visit page
C
Coach Station
16 Chorlton St, Manchester M1 3HW, UK
Visit page
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

Compare bus companies

FlixBus

3.5/511,432 reviews

Staff4.2

Timeliness3.9

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.7

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

National Express

4/529,731 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.7

Wifi3.4

Based on 29731 reviews, the company was rated 4.2 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the staff but often complained with the wifi. National Express ticket prices on this trip start at $29

National Express Cardiff Manchester recent customer reviews

Very efficient. Driver was friendly and helpful.lovely trip thank you

Glyn N.

June 18, 2018

National express runs a top class service thankyou

Mark R.

April 11, 2018

Megabus UK

3.5/54,276 reviews

Staff4.4

Timeliness3.4

Cleanliness4.4

Wifi2.6

According to 11 reviews, Megabus UK received a 3.7-star rating for this journey. Travelers were especially satisfied with the departure location and the cleanliness, but some complained about the wifi. Megabus UK ticket prices on this trip start at $30

Megabus Cardiff Manchester recent customer reviews

Drive was best and on time

Jessica Y.

October 29, 2024

I forgot my luggage in the bus and I don’t know how to go about it

Yetunde R.

August 14, 2024

Drivers were very nice, polite and welcoming

Gareth J.

October 13, 2023

GB bus companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, ALSA, Greyhound, Intercape, Trenitalia, National Express

Frequently asked questions about traveling from Cardiff to Manchester by bus

What is the distance between Cardiff and Manchester?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Cardiff to Manchester?
What are the best sights and things to do in Manchester?

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found

11/22

$46

11/23

$74

Today

$16

11/25

$15

11/26

$24

11/27

$26

11/28

$28

11/29

$35

The cheapest trip from Cardiff to Manchester was searched and found on Nov 25, 2025 with a price of $15

To 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 $15 to $74 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 $15 which is on 2025-11-25.