Bristol to Manchester from $19: 8 ways by bus, train, flight or car
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How to Get from Bristol to Manchester: Cheapest, Fastest and Best Way
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$19 by busBest price
229.8 kmDistance
2h 54m Fastest
Compare Train, Bus, Flight, and Driving Options
Get detailed, step-by-step directions below for your trip from Bristol to Manchester with 1Map travel planner. Easily compare ticket prices, explore various transport options, and find the best routes for a seamless and cost-effective travel experience.
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Compare prices for your selected dates
| Type | Mo 06/01 | Tu 07/01 | We 08/01 | Th 09/01 | Fr 10/01 | Sa 11/01 | Su 12/01 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | $9 | $8 | $8 | $8 | $10 | $9 | $10 |
| Train | $34 | $46 | $28 | $38 | $33 | $66 | $90 |
Traveling From Bristol to Manchester
The journey from Bristol to Manchester reveals two distinct urban landscapes, where Bristol boasts its charming waterways and artistic vibe, while Manchester pulsates with industrial history and vibrant nightlife.
Best Neighbourhoods in Manchester
Manchester offers a variety of neighborhoods, each with its own charm.
Northern Quarter
• Famous for independent shops and street art.
• Home to vibrant music and cultural venues.
Castlefield
• Known for its historic canals and architecture.
• Great spot for riverside dining and relaxation.
Deansgate
• Features high-end shops and bustling bars.
• Close to iconic landmarks like the Cathedral.
Best Times To Visit Manchester's Attractions
Maximizing your experience in Manchester means timing your visits right.
Manchester Art Gallery
Visit midweek, preferably Tuesday to Thursday, for quieter galleries.
Science and Industry Museum
Go early in the morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds.
Etihad Stadium
Attend tours on weekdays to avoid the weekend rush.
Manchester Weather: What to Expect Year-Round
Manchester experiences a temperate maritime climate, with mild summers and cool, damp winters, making it essential to check forecasts before your visit. Late spring and early autumn offer the best chances for pleasant weather, enhancing your exploration of the city’s outdoor attractions.
Dining Recommendation in Manchester
For an unforgettable culinary experience, try the Manchester-born dish of lamb shank at El Gato Negro, a tapas restaurant that brings bold Spanish flavors to life, contrasting with Bristol's focus on fresh seafood. The vibrant atmosphere and emphasis on locally sourced ingredients create a dining experience that showcases Manchester's diverse culinary scene.
Bristol - Manchester operators
Explore transport companies operating between Bristol and Manchester, with prices starting at . These companies offer competitive pricing, flexible schedules, and comfortable travel experiences.
Contact phone
0344 736 9123Website
https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/
Train from Bristol Temple Meads to Manchester Piccadilly
Average Duration
2h 59mEstimated price
$95-280Train from Bristol Temple Meads to Newport (S Wales)
Average Duration
38mEstimated price
$28-45Contact phone
+44 3457 000 125Website
https://www.gwr.com/
Train from Bristol Temple Meads to Newport (S Wales)
Average Duration
29mEstimated price
$15-40Train from Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington
Average Duration
1h 38mEstimated price
$70-150Contact phone
03333 211 202Website
https://tfw.wales/
Train from Newport (S Wales) to Manchester Piccadilly
Average Duration
3h 8mEstimated price
$65-110Contact phone
+44 345 600 1671Website
https://www.tpexpress.co.uk/
Train from Liverpool South Parkway to Manchester Piccadilly
Average Duration
41mEstimated price
$13-35Contact phone
03457 125 678Website
https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/
Train from Liverpool South Parkway to Manchester Piccadilly
Average Duration
39mEstimated price
$11-27Contact phone
+44 800 200 6060Website
https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/
Train from Liverpool South Parkway to Manchester Piccadilly
Average Duration
45mEstimated price
$8-11Website
https://uk.megabus.com
Bus from Bristol Bond St to Manchester Shudehill Interchange
Average Duration
4h 25mEstimated price
$19-27Contact phone
+3 318 576 2228Website
https://www.blablacar.co.uk
Other from Bristol to Manchester
Average Duration
3h 28mEstimated price
$15-35Website
https://www.britishairways.com
Plane from Bristol (BRS) to Manchester (MAN)
Average Duration
4h 37mEstimated price
$210-470Website
https://www.easyjet.com
Plane from Bristol (BRS) to Manchester (MAN)
Average Duration
4h 10mEstimated price
$65-280Website
https://www.ryanair.com
Plane from Bristol (BRS) to Manchester (MAN)
Average Duration
4h 18mEstimated price
$35-240Website
https://www.aerlingus.com
Plane from Bristol (BRS) to Manchester (MAN)
Average Duration
4h 37mEstimated price
$210-470Bristol to Manchester: Overview of Bus, Train, Flight, and Car Trips
Traveling between Bristol and Manchester offers a variety of convenient options to suit your preferences, schedule, and budget. Whether you prioritize affordability, speed, or comfort, you’re sure to find the perfect way to travel without compromising on quality or convenience.
🚗 Embark on a picturesque road trip from Bristol to Manchester, covering a distance of 273.6 km in just under 3 hours.
💰 Explore cost-effective travel options ranging from £43 to £63 for a scenic journey through the beautiful English countryside.
Average price
£43 - £62
⭐️ The journey from Bristol to Manchester by train takes approximately 2 hours and 59 minutes. Direct trains operated by CrossCountry depart from Bristol Temple Meads station every three hours, providing a convenient and efficient travel option.
🚆 With a distance of 276 km, passengers can enjoy a smooth ride towards Manchester Piccadilly without any transfers on certain routes.
🌟 Prices for the train journey between Bristol and Manchester range from £75 to £221, offering flexibility for different budgets. Whether it's for business or leisure, the train route provides a hassle-free and enjoyable travel experience for passengers embarking on this scenic journey across the UK.
Departure Point
Bristol Temple Meads station
Arrival Point
Manchester Piccadilly station
Useful tips for train travellers
• Onboard services vary by operator. If you take a train with Avanti West Coast, expect to find a trolley service offering snacks, drinks, and light meals in both First Class and Standard Class. First Class passengers enjoy complimentary food and drink service, while Standard Class offers a delightful range of snacks and barista-style coffee available for purchase.
• For seating options, Avanti West Coast provides both Standard and First Class seating. Standard Class is comfortable with ample legroom, while First Class offers more spacious seating, complimentary refreshment services, and access to quieter carriages. Comparison with Trans Pennine Express, which typically offers Standard Class seating and upgraded seating in its Advance purchase tickets, will help you choose based on your preference and budget.
• Major operators for this route include Avanti West Coast (avantiwestcoast.co.uk) and Trans Pennine Express (tpexpress.co.uk). For real-time schedules and platform information, you can check National Rail Enquiries at (nationalrail.co.uk,) where you'll also find updates on potential delays.
🛫 Flying from Bristol to Manchester involves a layover as there are no direct flights available. The quickest route typically takes 3 hours and 10 minutes with one stopover.
🌍 Airlines such as Aer Lingus, Ryanair, and easyJet operate flights between Bristol Airport and Manchester Airport. The total duration of the journey by plane is around 4 hours and 53 minutes.
💸 The prices for flights between Manchester and Bristol can range from £39 to £179, offering travelers a choice in budget options depending on their preferences and schedules.
Departure Point
Bristol Airport
Arrival Point
Manchester Airport. The quickest flight takes 3h 10m and has one stopover
Useful tips for plane travellers
• Since there are no direct flights from Bristol to Manchester, consider booking with Aer Lingus, Ryanair, or easyJet, and plan for a minimum layover of 1 hour to ensure a smooth connection.
• Upon arriving at Manchester Airport, follow the clear signage directing you to the SkyLink walk to access the train and tram services, which will connect you to Manchester city center efficiently.
• Expect to pay around £20-£30 for a taxi ride from Manchester Airport to the city center; alternatively, check local transport schedules for the train, which takes about 20 minutes and runs frequently—more information can be found at Transport for Greater Manchester.
🚌 Traveling from Bristol to Manchester by bus is a convenient option, with services departing every four hours and taking approximately 4 hours 25 minutes.
💰 The prices for the bus ticket between Bristol and Manchester range from £15 to £21, making it an affordable choice for travelers looking to explore these vibrant cities in the UK.
Departure Point
Bristol Bond St station
Arrival Point
Manchester Shudehill Interchange station
Useful tips for bus travellers
• Consider booking your Megabus ticket in advance online at megabus.com for the best fares, which range from £14 to £21, and check service times specifically for your travel date.
• While waiting at Bristol Bond St, explore nearby eateries like the Boston Tea Party for a great breakfast or coffee before your journey, ensuring you're well-fed for the 4h 25m trip ahead.
• Upon arrival at Manchester Shudehill Interchange, utilize the station's information boards to find local transportation options, including trams and buses, to navigate easily to your final destination within the city.
Frequently asked questions
Find out more about the route from Bristol to Manchester.
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The distance between Bristol and Manchester is approximately 228.5 km by road. By train, it takes around 2 hours and 59 minutes to travel from Bristol to Manchester. Alternatively, taking a train to London Heathrow and then flying to Manchester would take about 4 hours and 23 minutes. If you prefer to fly directly, it takes approximately 4 hours and 48 minutes. Driving by car from Manchester to Bristol would take about 2 hours and 54 minutes, while traveling by bus would take approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes.
The most cost-effective option for traveling from Bristol to Manchester is to rideshare, which typically costs between £11 and £28 and takes around 3 hours and 28 minutes. However, if time efficiency is more important, the fastest option is to drive, which takes approximately 2 hours and 54 minutes but costs between £44 and £63 in fuel expenses.
The prices of a train ticket between Bristol and Manchester can range from £75 to £222, depending on factors such as time of booking and class of service. On the other hand, the prices for a bus trip between the two cities typically range from £20 to £28.
If you want to travel from Bristol to Manchester without using public transportation, you can consider using Blablacar's carpooling service. It is a convenient option for rideshare between the two cities. The driving distance between Bristol and Manchester is 273.6 km, and it takes approximately 2 hours and 54 minutes to drive from Bristol to Manchester. The prices for carpooling services vary between £44 and £63.
The best way to travel from Bristol to Manchester without a car is by train. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 59 minutes and the fare can range from £75 to £222. Another option is to take a bus, which takes around 4 hours and 10 minutes and costs between £20 and £28. If you prefer to fly, you can take a flight from Bristol to Manchester, which takes about 4 hours and 48 minutes and costs approximately £36 to £158.
Yes, there is a direct link between Bristol and Manchester. You can take a train from Bristol Temple Meads to Manchester Piccadilly, which operates every day and takes approximately 2 hours and 59 minutes. Alternatively, you can also take a direct bus from Bristol Bond St to Manchester Shudehill Interchange, which operates daily and has a travel time of around 4 hours and 10 minutes.
The flight duration between Bristol and Manchester varies depending on the number of stopovers, with the quickest option taking approximately 3 hours. However, there are no direct flights available between Bristol Airport and Manchester Airport. In terms of cost, prices for flights between Manchester and Bristol typically range from £38 to £152, depending on the airline and the time of booking.
There are plenty of accommodation options near Manchester. With over 1539+ hotels available, travelers can find a variety of choices to suit their needs and budget. Prices start at £23, offering affordable options for those on a tight budget.
Trips from Bristol
- Bristol to Glastonbury
- Bristol to Dublin
- Bristol to Oxford
- Bristol to Paris
- Bristol to Bath
- Bristol to Cardiff
- Bristol to Edinburgh
- Bristol to Amsterdam
- Bristol to Liverpool
- Bristol to Birmingham
- Bristol to Rome
- Bristol to Swansea
- Bristol to Bournemouth
- Bristol to London
- Bristol to Weston-super-Mare
- Bristol to Cheltenham
- Bristol to Newport (Gwent)
- Bristol to Reading
- Bristol to Nottingham
- Bristol to Wells
- Bristol to Southampton
- Bristol to Weymouth
- Bristol to Chippenham (Wiltshire)
- Bristol to Ibiza Town
- Bristol to Portsmouth
- Bristol to Taunton
- Bristol to Brussels
- Bristol to St Ives (Cornwall)
- Bristol to Gloucester
- Bristol to Salisbury
- Bristol to Glasgow
- Bristol to Aberdeen
- Bristol to Exeter
- Bristol to Brighton
- Bristol to Geneva
- Bristol to Plymouth
- Bristol to Lisbon
- Bristol to Belfast
- Bristol to Swindon
- Bristol to Long Ashton
Trips to Manchester
- Birmingham to Manchester
- Dublin to Manchester
- Paris to Manchester
- Amsterdam to Manchester
- Cardiff to Manchester
- Oxford to Manchester
- Southampton to Manchester
- Leicester to Manchester
- Glasgow to Manchester
- Belfast to Manchester
- Liverpool to Manchester
- Huddersfield to Manchester
- London to Manchester
- Sheffield to Manchester
- Nottingham to Manchester
- York to Manchester
- Wolverhampton to Manchester
- Burnley to Manchester
- Newcastle upon Tyne to Manchester
- Leeds (West Yorkshire) to Manchester
- Crewe to Manchester
- Milton Keynes to Manchester
- Blackburn (Lancashire) to Manchester
- Glossop to Manchester
- Wigan to Manchester
- Warrington to Manchester
- Rochdale to Manchester
- Carlisle (Cumbria) to Manchester
- Bolton to Manchester
- Chester to Manchester
- Edinburgh to Manchester
- Aberdeen to Manchester
- Preston (Lancashire) to Manchester
- Luton (Bedfordshire) to Manchester
- Bradford (West Yorkshire) to Manchester
- Macclesfield to Manchester
- Lancaster to Manchester
- Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester
- Lincoln to Manchester
- Inverness to Manchester