The cheapest and fastest trains from Manchester to Inverness
Cheapest price
£127
Average price
£140
Fastest journey
7 h 30 m
Average duration
8 h 5 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
462 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Inverness is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Inverness will cost around £140 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £127.
Of the 5 trains that leave Manchester for Inverness every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 462 km distance in an average of 8 h 5 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 7 h 30 m .
The slowest trains will take 8 h 42 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.










Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Manchester to Inverness
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Inverness among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £18. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 0m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £18, and a flight costs an average of £82.
Distance: 462 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£121 Average Price | £47 Average Price Cheapest | £215 Average Price |
8h 11m Average total duration 7h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 48m Average total duration 8h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 0m Average total duration Fastest 2h 0m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | 1.4 - 2.8kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Manchester to Inverness train times
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Inverness trains for today, Sunday 14 December. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C43750+ C41057+ Y38798 | On time 09:45 Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 7h40 | 17:25 Inverness station (INV) | 2 changes | |
Y24841+ W02442+ Bus from Glasgow Central to Glasgow Queen Street+ Y38783 | On time 09:58 Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 7h47 | 17:45 Inverness station (INV) | 3 changes | |
L64223+ W01947+ Y11945 | On time 10:57 Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 9h13 | 20:10 Inverness station (INV) | 2 changes | |
L36960+ C41063+ Y38799 | On time 11:00 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 8h10 | 19:10 Inverness station (INV) | 2 changes | |
C43758+ C41067+ Y38799 | On time 11:45 Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 7h25 | 19:10 Inverness station (INV) | 2 changes | |
L64228+ W01947+ Y11945 | On time 11:59 Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 8h11 | 20:10 Inverness station (INV) | 2 changes | |
L36850+ Y11945 | On time 12:15 Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 7h55 | 20:10 Inverness station (INV) | 1 change | |
C74092+ Y38799 | On time 12:30 Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 6h40 | 19:10 Inverness station (INV) | 1 change | |
Y12433+ W01947+ Y11945 | On time 12:41 Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 7h29 | 20:10 Inverness station (INV) | 2 changes | |
L36856+ C41073+ Y39055 · Y38786 | On time 13:15 Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 8h11 | 21:26 Inverness station (INV) | 3 changes | |
![]() | 03:13 Manchester | 9h12 | 12:25 Inverness | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 04:55 Manchester | 7h30 | 12:25 Inverness | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 07:08 Manchester | 8h54 | 16:02 Inverness | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 07:09 Manchester | 8h53 | 16:02 Inverness | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Manchester to Inverness by train, coach or flight
Compare train, coach and flight 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
16 Dec
17 Dec
18 Dec
19 Dec
20 Dec
21 Dec
22 Dec
23 Dec
24 Dec
25 Dec
26 Dec
27 Dec
28 Dec
29 Dec
30 Dec
31 Dec
01 Jan
02 Jan
03 Jan
04 Jan
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Manchester to Inverness?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Manchester to Inverness
Trains from Manchester to Inverness run on average 5 times per day, taking around 7h 41m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £56 but you can travel from only £18 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 04:07, the last at 18:52. The fastest train covers the 462 km distance in 7h 42m.
Distance 462 km |
Average train duration 7h 41m |
Cheapest ticket price £56 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 7h 42m |
First train 04:07 |
Last train 18:52 |
Train companies: ScotRail, LNER, TransPennine Express, Caledonian Sleeper, first_transpennine_express from Manchester to Inverness trainsScotRail, LNER, TransPennine Express, Caledonian Sleeper, first_transpennine_express trains will get you between Manchester and Inverness from £18. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
ScotRail
LNER
TransPennine Express
Caledonian Sleeper
first_transpennine_express
FAQs: Manchester to Inverness train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Inverness by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Inverness, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Manchester and Inverness
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:20 - 23:40 Sunday 08:10 - 23:30
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category A station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station From Whitworth Street, up a ramp (43 paces, 1:25 slope) and level access through the entrance into the foyer. Or from the junction of Chester Road, Whitworth Street and Deansgate, level access through the entrance, along the corridor and up 21 steps into the foyer. Then, to Manchester: Past the ticket office, via the lift in the foyer. Or up a ramp (34 paces), up 17 steps onto the platform. To Bolton, Warrington and Wigan : Via the lift in the foyer or along the subway (26 paces), up a ramp (32 paces) and up 18 steps onto the platform. Level access to Manchester platform also via overbridge from Metrolink G-Mex Metrolink stop. Lift available first to last train, currently 06:20 - 23:40 Monday to Saturday. 08:10 - 23:30 Sunday.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Onward travel information: Free Metro shuttle bus link from station front serving Manchester City centre including Victoria Station On both sides of Whitworth Street, Deansgate and Chester Road for buses to Piccadilly Gardens, Altrincham or Sale. Contact Busline 0871 200 2233
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at bus stops on Whitworth St.
- Metro: Metrolink G-Mex tram stop linked by footbridge from Manchester platform. 0161 228 7811
- Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 06:30 - 22:30
- Type of shops available: Passport Photo Booth
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: re Step free access is provided from the Ground Transport Interchange to all platforms via lifts or ramps. This station is staffed for all services. This station is Category A. Station staff can provide assistance from Meeting Point 1 (adjacent to the Station Booking Office) and throughout the railway station, and with boarding and alighting the train. Customers requiring assistance should make themselves known to station staff no less than 20 minutes prior to the departure time of their train. Customers requiring assistance to access other services or to connect with terminals should request this from their airline or Manchester Airport Group. Assistance can be requested in advance by contacting the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay). Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge.
- Accessible public telephones: In the station cafe on platforms 2 and 3
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts. The Ladies toilets are located at the end of Platform 3. The Gents toilets are located at the end of Platform 2. The National key toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts, at the end of Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The National key toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts, at the end of Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: No cycle storage
- Storage CCTV: No
- Information available from staff: ,Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0800 107 2149
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Rail Replacement bus services depart from stands L & M of the adjacent Bus Station which is situated close to the ticket office.
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:30 - 22:40 Sunday 07:30 - 22:00
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Category B Station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station - There are two lifts at the Piccadilly end of platform 4 and 2/3 which connect the concourse area platform 4 and 5 with 2/3. Note: there is no lift access to platform 1 at all
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: There will be no toilet provision at Manchester Oxford Road from 15th July to 25th July to allow for existing toilets to be refurbished
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: on Platform 4/5
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at the bus stops on Whitworth St West (200 yards from station) (station side for Liverpool, opposite side for Piccadilly)
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:30 - 20:30 Saturday 06:30 - 18:30 Sunday 09:15 - 20:20
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to all platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the automatic ticket gates Blue Badge parking bays: 3
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on the Concourse. The National key toilets are located on the Concourse; these toilets are operated by a radar key. Available between 0630 and 1930
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage CCTV: No
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing)
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up/drop off from the Eastgate side of the station at the short stay car park
Most popular train connections from Manchester
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