Cambridge to Manchester Train

02/11/2024
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Cambridge to Manchester by train

The journey from Cambridge to Manchester by train is 213.03 km and takes 4 hrs 28 mins. There are 16 connections per day, with the first departure at 4:53 am and the last at 10:14 pm. It is possible to travel from Cambridge to Manchester by train for as little as $64.05 or as much as $461.68. The best price for this journey is $64.05.

Lowest Price $64.05
Journey Duration 4 hrs 28 mins
Connection per Day 16
Lowest Price $64.05
Highest Price $461.68
First Departure 4:53 am
Last Departure 10:14 pm
Distance 213.03 km
Departure Cambridge
Arrival Manchester
Carriers TransPennine Express, East Midlands Railway

Cambridge to Manchester Train Times

Departure date
Saturday, 2 Nov 2024

Compare prices and tickets from Cambridge to Manchester

Cheap train tickets from Cambridge to Manchester
Looking for the best deal on a train ticket for your trip? Here are 4 ways to get cheap train tickets from Cambridge to Manchester.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Cambridge to Manchester, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Cambridge to Manchester.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

Best time to book Cambridge to Manchester travel

Virail Pro Tip ✌: Booking 10 days in advance save 10% on average

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Cambridge to Manchester

The cheapest Cambridge - Manchester train tickets can be found for as low as $66.48 if you’re lucky, or $109.65 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $162.99.

Find the best day to travel to Manchester by train

When travelling to Manchester by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Carriers on this route

Find out more about the carriers on this route.

East Midlands Railway is a train operating company that provides passenger services across the East Midlands region of England. It was formed in 2019, taking over the franchise previously operated by East Midlands Trains. The company operates services on routes including London St Pancras to Sheffield, Nottingham to Liverpool, and Norwich to Liverpool. East Midlands Railway also operates local services within the East Midlands, connecting towns and cities such as Derby, Leicester, and Lincoln.

Greater Anglia, which is operated by the Transport UK Group, provides passenger rail services in the East of England. It operates services on the Great Eastern Main Line from London Liverpool Street to destinations such as Norwich, Ipswich, and Colchester, as well as on the West Anglia Main Line from London Liverpool Street to Cambridge and Stansted Airport. Greater Anglia also operates regional services in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire. The Department for Transport has awarded the operating contract for services until 2025 to Abellio East Anglia Limited.

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is a train operating company in the United Kingdom that operates intercity services on the "East Coast Main Line" between London, Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland. It was formed in 2018 as a result of the UK government's decision to terminate the franchise of Virgin Trains East Coast. LNER is owned by the Department for Transport and managed by the operator of the East Coast Partnership, a joint venture between infrastructure company Network Rail and train operator FirstGroup. LNER operates a fleet of electric and diesel trains, including the Azuma, which is the fastest train in the UK.

Northern is a train operating company that provides passenger services across the north of England. Northern is owned by Northern Trains Ltd, a division of "DOHL," the public sector holding company for the Department of Transportation. It is owned by Arriva UK Trains and operates over 2,500 services every weekday, serving cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle.

Thameslink is a railway service in the United Kingdom that runs through central London, connecting Bedford in the north and Brighton in the south. It is operated by Govia Thameslink Railway and serves over 200 stations, including major transport hubs such as St Pancras International, London Bridge, and Gatwick Airport. Thameslink trains run every few minutes during peak hours and offer a range of services, from fast express trains to stopping services that serve local communities. The service has undergone significant upgrades in recent years, including the introduction of new trains and the completion of major infrastructure projects such as the Thameslink Programme.

TransPennine Express is a train operating company in the United Kingdom that provides intercity train services across the North of England and Scotland. The company operates services between major cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Transpennine Express offers a range of ticket options, including advance purchase tickets, out-of-season tickets, and flexible tickets. The company also provides onboard facilities such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and refreshments.

Services on board East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast and Greater Anglia from Cambridge to Manchester
Compare services on board when travelling from Cambridge to Manchester by train.
Facilities East Midlands Railway Avanti West Coast Greater Anglia Thameslink Northern Rail London North Eastern Railway Great Northern
quiet_zone Quiet zone check check check check check check check
wifi WiFi check check check check check check check
power_sockets Power sockets check check check check check check check
luggage Luggage check cross check cross check check cross
food_and_drink Food and drink check check check check check check check

Cambridge to Manchester CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology
Train
14.91kg
Bus
15.98kg
Flight
42.61kg
Car
34.08kg
What are the CO2 emissions from Cambridge to Manchester by train? The CO2 emissions from taking the train between Cambridge and Manchester are 14.91kg.
How much CO2 do I save by taking the train between Cambridge and Manchester? By taking the train between Cambridge and Manchester you will save 27.7kg CO2 emissions compared to a flight, 1.07kg compared to a bus and 19.17kg compared to a car.

Anything we can improve?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a train ticket from Cambridge to Manchester?
A train ticket from Cambridge to Manchester is $217.78. However the price varies depending on how early you buy, and if it's peak time to travel. Occasionally you can find them for as cheap as $64.05.
What's the cheapest train ticket from Cambridge to Manchester?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Cambridge to Manchester is $64.05. We recommend booking as early as possible and off-peak hours to get the cheapest ticket possible. Off-peak times are usually from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00.
What's the distance between Cambridge and Manchester by train?
Cambridge to Manchester is 213.03 km.
How long does the train between Cambridge and Manchester take?
Cambridge to Manchester is on average 4 hrs 28 mins. However the fastest option will get you there in 3 hrs 39 mins.
Which companies operate from Cambridge to Manchester?
The train journey from Cambridge to Manchester is covered by 8 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: TransPennine Express, East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, Greater Anglia, Thameslink, Northern Rail, London North Eastern Railway, Great Northern and CrossCountry.
How many train connections per day go from Cambridge to Manchester?
Cambridge to Manchester has 16 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first train from Cambridge to Manchester leave?
The earliest train from Cambridge to Manchester departs at 4:53 am. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What time does the last train from Cambridge to Manchester depart?
The latest train from Cambridge to Manchester departs at 10:14 pm. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
Should I book my ticket from Cambridge to Manchester in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest train ticket we have found is $64.05 but this may be subject to change depending on the day of travel, hour you wish to depart and how far in advance you book.
What's the fastest journey time between Cambridge to Manchester by train?
The fastest journey time by train between Cambridge and Manchester is 3 hrs 39 mins.
Is there a direct train from Cambridge to Manchester?
Yes, there is a direct train between Cambridge and Manchester.
What are the CO2 emissions for Cambridge to Manchester by train?
The train journey from Cambridge to Manchester creates 14.91kg of CO2 emissions.