Southampton to Manchester from $22: 10 ways by bus, train, flight or car
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How to Get from Southampton to Manchester: Cheapest, Fastest and Best Way
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$22 by busBest price
294 kmDistance
3h 50m Fastest
Compare Train, Bus, Flight, and Driving Options
Get detailed, step-by-step directions below for your trip from Southampton 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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| Type | Mo 06/01 | Tu 07/01 | We 08/01 | Th 09/01 | Fr 10/01 | Sa 11/01 | Su 12/01 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | $20 | $30 | $28 | $26 | $35 | $32 | $33 |
| Train | $68 | $56 | $68 | $64 | $45 | $53 | $99 |
Traveling From Southampton to Manchester
The journey from Southampton's coastal charm to Manchester's vibrant urban scene offers a fascinating contrast between tranquil seaside views and a bustling city atmosphere.
Best Neighbourhoods in Manchester
Manchester boasts diverse neighborhoods, each with its own distinct flavor and charm.
Northern Quarter
• Known for independent shops and street art.
• Offers a vibrant nightlife and music scene.
Castlefield
• Features picturesque canals and green spaces.
• Historic Roman ruins add cultural depth.
Didsbury
• Popular for upscale dining and local boutiques.
• Family-friendly vibe with beautiful parks.
Best Times To Visit Manchester's Attractions
Plan your Manchester visit around the city's attractions for a smoother experience.
Manchester Art Gallery
Visit on weekdays early in the morning for a quieter, reflective atmosphere.
The Museum of Science and Industry
The first two hours after opening on weekends are less crowded and perfect for families.
Etihad Stadium
Catch evening matches on weekdays for a thrilling vibe and reduced crowds.
Manchester Weather: What to Expect Year-Round
Manchester experiences a maritime climate characterized by mild summers and cool winters, with frequent rainfall throughout the year. Late spring and early autumn offer the best conditions for exploring the city, as the pleasant temperatures enhance outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Dining Recommendation
In Manchester, try the hearty and flavorful Lancashire hotpot, a comforting stew that showcases the region’s local ingredients and rich culinary heritage. The vibrant atmosphere of Manchester’s diverse dining scene, filled with innovative venues and a mix of cultural influences, sets it apart from Southampton's coastal seafood staples.
Southampton - Manchester operators
Explore transport companies operating between Southampton and Manchester, with prices starting at . These companies offer competitive pricing, flexible schedules, and comfortable travel experiences.
Contact phone
0345 6000 650Website
https://www.southwesternrailway.com/
Train from Southampton Central to London Waterloo
Average Duration
1h 19mEstimated price
$40-110Train from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly
Average Duration
4h 14mEstimated price
$120-370Train from Southampton Central to Woking
Average Duration
50mEstimated price
$30-75Contact phone
00 44 345 528 0253Website
https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly
Average Duration
2h 12mEstimated price
$85-220Contact phone
0344 736 9123Website
https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/
Train from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly
Average Duration
4h 14mEstimated price
$120-370Contact phone
+44 3457 000 125Website
https://www.gwr.com/
Train from Southampton Central to Newport (S Wales)
Average Duration
2h 19mEstimated price
$60-140Contact phone
03333 211 202Website
https://tfw.wales/
Train from Newport (S Wales) to Manchester Piccadilly
Average Duration
3h 8mEstimated price
$65-110Website
https://uk.megabus.com
Bus from Southampton Herbert Walker Avenue to Manchester Shudehill Interchange
Average Duration
5h 30mEstimated price
$22-35Website
https://www.britishairways.com
Plane from Southampton (SOU) to Manchester (MAN)
Average Duration
3h 50mEstimated price
$160-700Website
https://www.easyjet.com
Plane from Southampton (SOU) to Manchester (MAN)
Average Duration
3h 45mEstimated price
$80-550Website
https://www.aerlingus.com
Plane from Southampton (SOU) to Manchester (MAN)
Average Duration
3h 50mEstimated price
$160-700Website
https://www.klm.com
Plane from Southampton (SOU) to Manchester (MAN)
Average Duration
3h 52mEstimated price
$250-1300Website
https://www.ryanair.com
Plane from Southampton (SOU) to Liverpool (LPL)
Average Duration
3h 45mEstimated price
$180-850Southampton to Manchester: Overview of Bus, Train, Flight, and Car Trips
Traveling between Southampton 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 scenic journey from Southampton to Manchester by car covering a distance of 363.7 km in just under 4 hours.
💷 The cost of traveling between these two cities by car ranges from £55 to £87, providing flexibility for different budgets.
Average price
£54 - £85
🚆 Hop on a direct train at Southampton Central 🚆 and relax during the scenic journey to Manchester Piccadilly. Services run hourly, every day, making it a convenient option for travelers. The trip typically lasts around 4 hours and 14 minutes.
🌳 Enjoy the countryside views as you travel from Southampton to Manchester on a comfortable South Western Railway service. Delight in the seamless experience provided by Avanti West Coast upon arrival at Manchester Piccadilly station. In just 3 hours and 58 minutes, you'll have crossed the distance between the two vibrant cities.
🎟️ Prices for a train ticket between Southampton and Manchester range from £104 to £258, offering flexibility to suit different budgets.
Departure Point
Southampton Central station
Arrival Point
Manchester Piccadilly station
Useful tips for train travellers
• Onboard services on your train trip from Southampton to Manchester differ by operator. For example, First Great Western (now known as Great Western Railway) often has a catering service offering a selection of snacks and drinks for purchase, including local delicacies and hot meals. Check their menu on the website ahead of time and consider pre-ordering a meal if available to save time during your journey.
• The main operator for this route is Avanti West Coast, which offers different seating options. You can choose from Standard Class, which provides comfortable seating with tables, and First Class, where you can enjoy extra legroom, complimentary refreshments, and access to First Class lounges at certain stations. Make sure to book your tickets in advance; prices can vary based on demand.
• Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly Station, you will find that luggage storage is available through services like Excess Baggage Company if you want to explore the city without your bags. The station is also equipped with restrooms, including facilities for the disabled, though it doesn’t currently have shower services. To reach the city center swiftly, take the Metrolink tram towards Piccadilly Gardens (Tram Line 1 from the station), which is just a short ride and a direct route.
🛫 Flying from Southampton Airport to Manchester Airport involves a connecting flight, with the quickest route taking approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes with one stop.
🎟️ The cost of a flight between Southampton and Manchester can range from £81 to £316, depending on the airline and booking time, with the total travel time by plane approximately 5 hours and 5 minutes.
Departure Point
Southampton Airport
Arrival Point
Manchester Airport. The quickest flight takes 3h 30m and has one stopover
Useful tips for plane travellers
• Consider booking a flight with KLM or Eastern Airways, as they typically offer more convenient stopover options, making your journey more manageable despite the lack of direct flights.
• Upon arrival at Manchester Airport, follow the clear signage to the 'Train Station', which is located directly below the airport; this makes it easy to connect to Manchester city center within 20 minutes.
• Expect taxi fares from Manchester Airport to the city center to range from £25 to £35; for the most budget-friendly transfer, check the public transport schedules for frequent direct train services that cost around £5.
🚌 Experience a convenient and direct bus journey from Southampton Herbert Walker Avenue to Manchester Shudehill Interchange with Megabus UK. Services operate four times a week on Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with a travel time of approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.
🚌 Enjoy cost-effective travel options with bus fares ranging from £17 to £28 for the journey between Southampton and Manchester.
Departure Point
Southampton Herbert Walker Avenue station
Arrival Point
Manchester Shudehill Interchange station
Useful tips for bus travellers
• Check the Megabus schedule for your preferred departure time from Southampton Herbert Walker Avenue, as buses operate four times a week, specifically on Monday, Saturday, and Sunday; for further details, visit Megabus UK.
• Consider bringing snacks or a light meal for the 5h 30m journey; you can find local dining options near Southampton Herbert Walker Avenue, such as McDonald's or local cafes, before boarding the bus to ensure you have a pleasant trip.
• Upon arrival at Manchester Shudehill Interchange, take note of the station map and information desks available to assist you as this stop is a key transit hub, making it easy to connect with local trams or buses for onward travel; check out the directions here.
Frequently asked questions
Find out more about the route from Southampton to Manchester.
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The distance between Southampton and Manchester is approximately 294.5 km, with a road distance of 363.6 km. Travel times vary depending on the mode of transportation. By train, it typically takes 4 hours and 14 minutes to reach Manchester from Southampton. Taking a combination of train, train to London Heathrow, and flying to Manchester can take about 4 hours and 20 minutes. By plane, the travel time from Southampton to Manchester is around 5 hours and 10 minutes. Driving by car usually takes 3 hours and 50 minutes, while traveling by bus can take around 5 hours and 35 minutes.
The most cost-effective transportation option for traveling from Southampton to Manchester is by bus, with ticket prices ranging from £21-£31. However, this mode of transport is also the longest, taking approximately 5 hours and 35 minutes. If time is a priority, driving is the quickest option, with a travel time of 3 hours and 50 minutes, but it is also the most expensive, with estimated costs of £55-£86.
The prices for a train ticket from Southampton to Manchester can range from £94 to £291, depending on factors such as the class of travel and the booking time. On the other hand, a bus ticket from Manchester to Southampton typically costs between £21 and £31.
To travel from Southampton to Manchester without using public transportation, you can drive the distance of 363.7 km, which takes approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes. The estimated cost for this journey ranges from £55 to £86, depending on factors such as fuel prices and toll charges.
The most convenient way to travel from Southampton to Manchester without a car is by train. The journey takes approximately 4 hours and 14 minutes, with ticket prices ranging from £94 to £291. If you prefer a different mode of transportation, you can also take a bus, which takes around 5 hours and 35 minutes and costs between £21 and £31, or opt for a flight, which takes 5 hours and 10 minutes and costs between £79 and £310.
Yes, there is a direct link between Southampton and Manchester. CrossCountry operates train services from Southampton Central to Manchester Piccadilly, with trains departing hourly and taking approximately 4 hours and 14 minutes. Alternatively, Megabus UK operates bus services from Southampton Herbert Walker Avenue to Manchester Shudehill Interchange, with buses departing six times a week and taking approximately 5 hours and 35 minutes.
The flight duration between Southampton and Manchester, with one stopover, typically takes around 3 hours and 35 minutes. The cost of the flight can vary between £84 to £308, depending on the airline and the time of booking.
There are numerous options for accommodation near Manchester. With over 1539 hotels to choose from, travelers can find options to suit their preferences and budgets. Prices start at £23, making it affordable for a range of travelers.
Trips from Southampton
- Southampton to Amsterdam
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- Southampton to Bath
- Southampton to Dublin
- Southampton to Edinburgh
- Southampton to Brighton
- Southampton to Glasgow
- Southampton to Winchester
- Southampton to Portsmouth
- Southampton to Bournemouth
- Southampton to Salisbury
- Southampton to Romsey
- Southampton to Eastleigh
- Southampton to Fareham
- Southampton to London
- Southampton to Leeds (West Yorkshire)
- Southampton to Liverpool
- Southampton to Reading
- Southampton to Basingstoke
- Southampton to Milton Keynes
- Southampton to Sheffield
- Southampton to Oxford
- Southampton to New Milton
- Southampton to Inverness
- Southampton to Cardiff
- Southampton to Poole
- Southampton to Weymouth
- Southampton to Nottingham
- Southampton to Swindon
- Southampton to Guildford
- Southampton to Leicester
- Southampton to Cambridge (Cambridgeshire)
- Southampton to Andover
- Southampton to Lymington
- Southampton to Huddersfield
- Southampton to Bristol
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Trips to Manchester
- Birmingham to Manchester
- Dublin to Manchester
- Paris to Manchester
- Amsterdam to Manchester
- Cardiff to Manchester
- Oxford to Manchester
- Leicester to Manchester
- Glasgow to Manchester
- Belfast to Manchester
- Liverpool to Manchester
- Bristol 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