The cheapest and fastest coaches from Cardiff to Manchester
Cheapest price
£29
Average price
£40
Fastest journey
5 h 50 m
Average duration
6 h 9 m
Buses per day
18
Distance
231 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cardiff to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Manchester will cost around £40 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £29.
To travel from Cardiff to Manchester you need to make at least one change.
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX111 · NX120
NX111 · NX120
NX111 · NX120
NX112 · NX121
FlixBus · FlixBusTravel Information
Compare train and coach for Cardiff to Manchester
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £15. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 27m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £15, and a train costs an average of £43.
Distance: 231 km
Compare bus with
Most popular Coach | Train |
|---|---|
£27 Average Price Cheapest | £69 Average Price |
6h 9m Average total duration 5h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 57m Average total duration Fastest 3h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Cardiff to Manchester bus times
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Manchester coaches for today, Sunday 14 December. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX202 · NX106 · NX120 | Delayed 15:05 02:45Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 8h30 | 11:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
NX202 · NX100 · NX120 | Delayed 15:05 04:45Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h30 | 12:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
NX202 · NX101 · NX120 | Delayed 15:05 06:40Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h40 | 14:20 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
NX507 · NX540 | Delayed 12:15 06:45Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 9h05 | 19:15 19:15Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 09:15 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h05 | 15:20 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 09:15 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h25 | 15:40 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
NX111 · NX120 | Delayed 17:25 09:50Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h35 | 16:25 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h10 | 17:50 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h50 | 17:30 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
NX112 · NX121 | 11:20 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h05 | 17:25 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX111 · NX120 | Delayed 17:25 12:40Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 5h40 | 18:20 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:45 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 8h05 | 20:50 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:45 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h50 | 20:35 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
NX111 · NX120 | Delayed 17:25 13:45Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 5h35 | 19:20 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX111 · NX120 | On time 17:25 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 5h45 | 23:10 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX507 · NX424 | On time 18:45 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 11h20 | 06:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX216 · NX100 · NX421 | On time 22:10 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 9h25 | 07:35 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
| Monday 15 December | |||||
NX202 · NX106 · NX120 | 02:35 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 8h40 | 11:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
NX202 · NX100 · NX120 | 04:30 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h45 | 12:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 05:05 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h25 | 12:30 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 05:05 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h05 | 12:10 Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East | 1 change | |
NX202 · NX101 · NX120 | 06:25 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h55 | 14:20 Manchester, Coach Station | 2 changes | |
NX507 · NX424 | On time 18:45 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 11h20 | 06:05 Manchester, Coach Station | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Manchester by train or coach
Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
15 Dec
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Journey information
Overview: Bus from Cardiff to Manchester
Buses from Cardiff to Manchester run on average 17 times per day, taking around 5h 39m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £15 if you book in advance.
There are 2 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 231 km distance in 5h 40m.
Distance 231 km |
Average bus duration 5h 39m |
Cheapest ticket price £15 |
Buses per day 17 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 5h 40m |
First bus 00:05 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Bus providers: Megabus, National Express, FlixBus from Cardiff to ManchesterYou can travel by bus between Cardiff to Manchester with Megabus, National Express, FlixBus for as low as £15. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
National Express
Megabus
Buses from Cardiff to Manchester
Sophia Gardens in Cardiff is the departure point for buses from Cardiff to Manchester with the first bus of the day departing around 7:30 a.m. National Express runs these buses and the final service departs from Cardiff at about 5:00 p.m. Journeys can take around 6 hours, but at certain times of the day, travel times can extend to over 8 hours. There is a change of bus during the journey in either Birmingham or Bristol, depending on the route taken. Buses from Cardiff to Manchester run every couple of hours between the first and last departure times and the service runs from Monday to Sunday.
Cardiff
Cardiff is an exciting city with much to attract any visitor. It was ranked 6th in National Geographic’s 2011 Alternative Tourist Destinations and is often considered the most popular tourist destination in Wales, with 14.6 million visitors in 2009. The city is steeped in history and you don’t need to travel far (in fact, just straight to the city centre) to see one of its oldest historical attractions: Cardiff Castle. The castle is surrounded by beautiful parkland (an abundance of green space is also a reason for Cardiff’s popularity) and visitors can marvel at the intricate artworks covering many of the walls inside. Much of the area surrounding the city is very interesting also. If you head to the outskirts of the city to the Llandaff district you can visit the 12th century Llandaff Cathedral, made more famous in recent years for the Ghost Walks on offer. Those feeling brave will love this renowned, exciting, and educational activity.
Manchester
A large city in the north west of England, Manchester is an important industrial and musical centre with a large and eclectic array of attractions and activities to keep you busy. Consider exploring the fascinating Museum of Science & Industry, a 2.8-hectare urban heritage park encompassing old brick buildings, rusting viaducts, and massive warehouses, to get a glimpse of 19th-century industrial Manchester. Literature enthusiasts will love visiting the John Rylands Library, which is complete with high-vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows, and the Elizabeth Gaskell house, where this famous author lived from 1850 to 1865. The Godlee Observatory is largely unvisited but one of the most interesting sites in town. Head to the Whitworth Art Gallery to see a wonderful collection of British watercolours.
FAQs: Cardiff to Manchester coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Manchester by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Manchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

When departing from Cardiff, you have various coach station options to start your journey from including Cardiff, University and Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens). When arriving in Manchester, you can end your journey in coach stations like Manchester, Shudehill Interchange, Manchester, Airport and Manchester, Shudehill / Bradshaw Street.
Passengers board the coach most frequently from Cardiff, University, which is located around 1.1 miles (1.8 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Manchester, Shudehill Interchange, located 0.5 miles (833 m) away from the city centre.
To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Cardiff to Manchester, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Manchester
- 05:00-23:30
- Free Wi-Fi
- Available outside the interchange.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 42, 43, 135 Tram: Metrolink
- 06:00-22:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Café at the Station (in the station)
- Fast Food Express (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, assistance
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 50, 192, 201, 203, 205, 219, 255, 256 Train: Manchester Piccadilly Metro: Piccadilly Gardens
- 00:00-23:59
- Free Wi-Fi
- Burger King (in the station)
- Giraffe (in the station).
- Available outside the terminal, with several companies offering services.
- Elevators, ramps, assistance
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 43, 103 Train: Manchester Airport
Most popular bus connections from Cardiff
More options for your journey from Cardiff to Manchester
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