How to get from Edinburgh to Manchester
Edinburgh to Manchester is 297 km in a straight line, and the fastest option takes 3h 27m by train.
On Routavio you can compare the ways from Edinburgh to Manchester by price and travel time (route calculated on 31 October 2026).
- 8 train departures a day with TransPennine Express
- First train at 06:17, last at 20:17
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
3h 27m
direct
Train
€34
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 31 Oct 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Edinburgh to Manchester. The most useful door-to-door route takes 3h 27m by train with no transfer. The two cities are about 297 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
This is the lowest fare we have recorded for this route in the last 14 days.
297 km
Edinburgh to Manchester: cheapest or fastest?
All from the same recent search. Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1Edinburgh → ManchestertrainTransPennine Express·3h 27m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
Which date should you go?
The amounts on each day are fares seen earlier, not live offers. A day with no figure is one we have not priced, not one without a service.
Cheapest flight fare by month, Edinburgh to Manchester
| Month | Lowest fare seen | Seen on |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | €51 | |
| January 2027 | €50 |
The lowest fare Routavio has seen for each departure month, with the day it was seen. Fares change, so check the price when you search.
Departures from Edinburgh to Manchester
TransPennine Express runs 8 scheduled departures a day, the first at 06:17 and the last at 20:17.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| TransPennine Expresstrain | 8 | 06:17 | 20:17 |
All departures
- 06:17
- 08:16
- 10:17
- 12:17
- 14:17
- 16:17
- 18:17
- 20:17
Departure times come from operator timetables and are local time at the origin. Where a row shows no times, the frequency is the operator's own and the timetable is not published to us. Times can change on holidays and at short notice; confirm with the operator before you travel.
Departure and arrival
Ticket prices on this route
What each way of travelling costs, as the operator publishes it. These describe the route rather than a date you pick, and they refresh once a day. Booking opens at our partner Omio.
Omio last refreshed these on Sun, Nov 1
Operators seen on these journeys
On this route you travel with TransPennine Express; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Edinburgh to Manchester works
Routavio built this route from its own route data on 31 October 2026. Start with a TransPennine Express train from Edinburgh to Manchester, about 3h 27m. In total it's roughly €34 over 3h 27m, direct, no transfers.
Where to stay
Stays in Manchester on Booking.comRent a car
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Things to do in Manchester
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Edinburgh to Manchester: common questions
How long does it take to get from Edinburgh to Manchester?
Routavio's route check on 31 October 2026 puts the most useful route at about 3h 27m by train, with no transfer.
When is the first train from Edinburgh to Manchester?
The first train with TransPennine Express leaves at 06:17 and the last at 20:17, according to the published timetable.
How many train departures a day are there from Edinburgh to Manchester?
Routavio's timetable check shows 8 train departures a day with TransPennine Express, between 06:17 and 20:17.
How far is Manchester from Edinburgh?
About 297 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Edinburgh to Manchester cost?
Routavio's price check puts the route we recommend at €34. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Which operators run Edinburgh to Manchester?
According to Routavio's route data, on this route you travel with TransPennine Express.
Can you get from Edinburgh to Manchester without flying?
Yes. A ground route by train takes about 3h 09m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Edinburgh to Manchester?
Routavio's comparison usually points to a flexible date, or leaving from a nearby airport. A live search puts every option for your dates side by side.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Routavio sends you straight to the operator or an independent third-party provider. We never add a booking fee. The final fare and availability are confirmed by that provider.
Other ways people search Edinburgh to Manchester
- how to get from Edinburgh to Manchester
- Edinburgh to Manchester travel time
- Edinburgh to Manchester distance
- cheapest way from Edinburgh to Manchester
- Edinburgh to Manchester by bus
Sources and method
Routes are calculated by Routavio's multimodal engine from operator timetables and flight data. Durations come from timetables, and prices are the most recent observation, not a guarantee.
Operators: TransPennine Express
Route calculated: 31 Oct 2026