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Cardiff to Manchester train prices and times

Looking to travel from Cardiff to Manchester? You can buy train tickets with Trip.com for as low as £17.40, with average prices for this route around £19.50.

To get the best deals, we' d recommend buying in advance and researching alternatives such as split tickets.

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Fri, Aug 8
From £17.40
Sat, Aug 9
From £21.70
Sun, Aug 10
From £21.70
Mon, Aug 11
From £21.70
Tue, Aug 12
From £21.70
Wed, Aug 13
From £21.70
Thu, Aug 14
From £21.70

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Departs	Arrives	Duration	Find Tickets
04:31 Cardiff Central	08:13 Manchester Piccadilly	3h 42m, Direct	Find Tickets
05:49 Cardiff Central	09:14 Manchester Piccadilly	3h 25m, Direct	Find Tickets
06:24 Cardiff Central	10:08 Manchester Piccadilly	3h 44m, No direct	Find Tickets
06:46 Cardiff Central	10:13 Manchester Piccadilly	3h 27m, Direct	Find Tickets
07:23 Cardiff Central	11:08 Manchester Piccadilly	3h 45m, No direct	Find Tickets
07:53 Cardiff Central	11:13 Paris	3h 20m, Direct	Find Tickets View More Trains

Cardiff to Manchester train route details

First train

04:31

Last train

22:25

Departure station

Cardiff

Arrival station

Manchester

Journey time

3h 18m

Distance

145 miles

Price

£17.40*

Train Operators

Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway

How to book cheap train tickets from Cardiff to Manchester

Travelling in off-peak train times

Taking advantage of Off-Peak train tickets is another effective way to save on your train journey from Cardiff to Manchester. These tickets are generally cheaper and can be used during quieter periods, typically outside of morning (06:30-09:30) and evening (16:00-19:00) rush hours on weekdays.

Using the Railcard for 1/3 off

You can choose a Railcard to help you save up to 1/3 on fares from Cardiff to Manchester for various reasons, such as your age (including the 16-25 Railcard or Senior Railcard) or options geared towards group travel (Family & Friends Railcard and Two Together Railcard). Discover more here.

Split Tickets to save an average extra 30%

Splitting tickets involves buying separate, cheaper tickets for different parts of your journey on the same train instead of just one ticket for the entire trip. For instance, if you're travelling from Cardiff to Manchester, you might find that purchasing a ticket from A to C, then C to B costs less than a direct ticket. This method is perfectly legal and often doesn’t require leaving your seat.

Book in advance to save an average of 61%

Advance Tickets are typically released up to 12 weeks before the travel date and can offer significant savings compared to tickets purchased closer to departure. By planning your trip from Cardiff to Manchester ahead of time and booking your tickets early, you can potentially save up to 61% on your travel expenses.

Group travels to save 1/3

If you are travelling in a group, be sure to check out group travel discounts. Many train companies offer a ⅓ off standard fares for groups of three to nine people, making travelling from Cardiff to Manchester more affordable for families, friends, or colleagues planning a trip together.

Cardiff to Manchester train ticket types

Save money on your trip from Cardiff to Manchester with suitable train tickets. It's a great way to spend less!

Off-Peak & Super Off-Peak tickets
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Off-peak tickets are cheaper and offer more flexibility for travel during less busy times. Super Off-Peak tickets are even cheaper and suitable for unconventional schedules.
Return train tickets
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Valid for both an outward and return journey from the same destination on your chosen route.
Advance train tickets
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As one of the most cost-effective ticket options available, purchasing up to 12 weeks in advance can save you a considerable amount of money.
Season train tickets
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It’s a type of train ticket that allows unlimited travel within two stations for a week, a month, or a year. What’s more, it can save you more than 1/3 on train fares.

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Why Book Train Tickets With Trip.com?

Best Price Promise
If you find trains for a cheaper price elsewhere, let us know and we'll refund the difference*
Split Tickets
Save an average of 30% on train fares by splitting your Cardiff to Manchester journey
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No Booking Fees on the App
Only pay for your train travel – no hidden fees

*After comparing the full year of 2023 for Split tickets and full-price tickets on Trip.com, the average savings rate for Split tickets is 30%.

Trains from Cardiff to Manchester from £17.40

Save an average of 30%* with Split Tickets

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Cardiff to Manchester train prices and times

Cardiff to Manchester train route details