Manchester Piccadilly is the North West's main long-distance terminus, handling over 28 million passengers a year. It sits on the Metrolink network, giving direct tram access to the city centre, Old Trafford and Manchester Airport. Advance tickets from London sell out quickly on this route — resale listings on SaveMyFare are worth checking if you need a ticket close to your travel date.

Fastest journey times to Manchester

London2h 7m

Birmingham1h 25m

Liverpool35m

Leeds55m

Sheffield50m

Edinburgh3h 15m

Popular routes to Manchester

London Euston → Manchester Birmingham New Street → Manchester Liverpool Lime Street → Manchester Leeds → Manchester Sheffield → Manchester Edinburgh Waverley → Manchester

Things to do near Manchester

Northern Quarter

Manchester's creative neighbourhood — independent bars, street art and record shops. 10 min walk from Piccadilly.

Science and Industry Museum

Free museum tracing Manchester's role in the Industrial Revolution, built around a Victorian railway station. 20 min walk.

Manchester Art Gallery

Free permanent collection across Pre-Raphaelite and contemporary work. 15 min walk through the city centre.

Old Trafford

Manchester United's ground and museum. 25 min by Metrolink from Piccadilly — change at St Peter's Square.

Ancoats

Former industrial district turned food and drink destination — some of the best independent restaurants in the North. 15 min walk.

Manchester Piccadilly — at a glance

🅿️ Car parking📶 Free Wi-Fi♿ Step-free access🧳 Left luggage

Frequently asked questions

Are tickets listed on SaveMyFare valid for travel to Manchester?

Yes. Every ticket is verified before it goes live — we check the ticket reference, route and travel date. Once you purchase, the ticket transfers to you as the travelling passenger and is valid at Manchester Piccadilly barriers.

Which operators run to Manchester Piccadilly?

Avanti West Coast runs from London Euston (around 2h07). TransPennine Express covers routes from Edinburgh, Leeds and Sheffield. Northern serves local routes across the North West. CrossCountry runs from Birmingham and Bristol.

Can I use a railcard on a resold ticket to Manchester?

Only if the original ticket was bought with that railcard type. If the listing notes a railcard restriction, you will need a valid railcard of that type to travel. Listings that carry no restriction are usable by any passenger.

How do I receive the ticket after buying?

Once payment is confirmed, the seller transfers the ticket — usually a new booking reference, a forwarded e-ticket PDF or a direct transfer through the operator's app. We send instructions in your confirmation email.

What if the seller doesn't transfer in time?

Your payment is held securely until transfer is confirmed. If a seller fails to transfer within the agreed window, you receive a full refund. You can also raise a dispute through your account if anything goes wrong.

When is the cheapest time to find tickets to Manchester?

New listings appear whenever a traveller's plans change, which can happen at any time. Off-peak travel — midweek and outside the Friday evening rush — tends to have more listings available below face value.