How to get from Manchester to Edinburgh
Manchester to Edinburgh is 297 km in a straight line, and the fastest option takes 3h 30m by train. The trip takes 5h 37m by bus.
On Routavio you can compare the ways from Manchester to Edinburgh by price and travel time (route calculated on 31 October 2026).
- 8 train departures a day with TransPennine Express
- First train at 06:03, last at 20:04
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
3h 30m
direct
Train
€34
Cheapest
5h 37m
1 transfer
Bus
€23
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 31 Oct 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Manchester to Edinburgh. The most useful door-to-door route takes 5h 37m by bus, 1 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
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | €23Omio catalogue, Nov 1 | 3h 30mdirect | See Train details |
| Bus | €22Omio catalogue, Nov 1 | 5h 37m1 transfer | See Bus details |
- Train€23Omio catalogue, Nov 13h 30m · directSee Train details
- Bus€22Omio catalogue, Nov 15h 37m · 1 transferSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Manchester to Edinburgh: 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.
- 1Manchester → Glasgowbus
FlixBus·4h 05m - 2Glasgow → Edinburgh - Princes StreetbusFlixBus·57m
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.
Departures from Manchester to Edinburgh
TransPennine Express runs 8 scheduled departures a day, the first at 06:03 and the last at 20:04.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| TransPennine Expresstrain | 8 | 06:03 | 20:04 |
All departures
- 06:03
- 08:04
- 10:04
- 12:04
- 14:04
- 16:04
- 18:04
- 20:04
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
FlixBusManchester-Glasgow, Glasgow-Edinburgh - Princes StreetBook →TransPennine ExpressManchester-EdinburghBook →On this route you travel with FlixBus, TransPennine Express; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Manchester to Edinburgh works
Routavio built this route from its own route data on 31 October 2026. Start with a FlixBus bus from Manchester to Glasgow, about 4h 5m. Transfer in Glasgow and continue by FlixBus bus on to Edinburgh - Princes Street (57 min). In total it's roughly €23 over 5h 37m, 1 transfer.
Where to stay
Stays in Edinburgh on Booking.comRent a car
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Things to do in Edinburgh
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Manchester to Edinburgh: common questions
How long does it take to get from Manchester to Edinburgh?
Routavio's route check on 31 October 2026 puts the most useful route at about 5h 37m by bus, 1 transfer.
When is the first train from Manchester to Edinburgh?
The first train with TransPennine Express leaves at 06:03 and the last at 20:04, according to the published timetable.
How many train departures a day are there from Manchester to Edinburgh?
Routavio's timetable check shows 8 train departures a day with TransPennine Express, between 06:03 and 20:04.
Is there a bus from Manchester to Edinburgh?
Our route search found a bus option, but we hold no verified timetable for this route yet. Check the operator's own timetable for departure times.
How far is Edinburgh from Manchester?
About 297 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Manchester to Edinburgh cost?
Routavio's price check puts the route we recommend at €23. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Which operators run Manchester to Edinburgh?
According to Routavio's route data, on this route you travel with FlixBus, TransPennine Express.
Can you get from Manchester to Edinburgh without flying?
Yes. A ground route by train takes about 3h 08m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Manchester to Edinburgh?
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 Manchester to Edinburgh
- how to get from Manchester to Edinburgh
- Manchester to Edinburgh travel time
- Manchester to Edinburgh distance
- cheapest way from Manchester to Edinburgh
- Manchester to Edinburgh 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: FlixBus, TransPennine Express
Route calculated: 31 Oct 2026