Chester to Manchester Piccadilly Trains From £5.50*

The journey from Chester to Manchester Piccadilly takes around one hour, as the two cities are only 33 miles apart. Transport for Wales runs the direct Chester to Manchester Piccadilly train. It also operates most train services within Wales and cross-border services into England.

Along the way, you’ll be able to glance at the countryside of Cheshire before skimming past the outskirts of Liverpool on Merseyside before arriving in the mighty city of Manchester.

Did you know that cities with ‘Chester’ in the name mean the Romans founded them? They must have surely loved settling in the North West!

Departing from Chester

Despite the service being run by Transport for Wales, Chester is actually located in the English county of Cheshire. The train station is on City Road, just on the edge of the city centre. It’s decorated in a wonderfully ornate classical Italian style.

The station is accessible by buses and taxis. It has a car park and is not too far from the bus interchange.

The station is a central transport hub for services heading to and from Wales. Several train franchises use this station including Transport for Wales, Northern, Merseyrail, and Avanti West Coast.

Main stops

There are usually six stops from Chester to Manchester Piccadilly: Helsby, Frodsham, Runcorn East, Warrington Bank Quay, Newton-Le-Willows, and Manchester Oxford Road.

However, this may be subject to change depending on the weather, or other factors such as engineering works. So, checking which stations will be on your route before you leave is your best bet.

Arriving at Manchester Picadilly

The Chester to Manchester Piccadilly train conveniently drops you off at Manchester's most well-connected train station. Situated in the city’s southeast, it offers easy access to buses, taxis, and Metrolink trams. Buying a discounted ‘Plusbus’ ticket and your train ticket allows unlimited travel throughout the city.

Manchester Victoria, Manchester Oxford Road, and Manchester Deansgate train stations are nearby if you have an onward rail connection. You can also get the direct train to Manchester Airport from Piccadilly, which reaches the airport in only 15 minutes. Manchester Piccadilly serves other major UK destinations, including Liverpool, York, Sheffield, and Leeds.

There’s lots to do around Manchester Piccadilly. For starters, there’s a whole host of exciting bars, restaurants and nightlife, as well as a platter of exciting shops and bougie boutiques in the city’s Northern Quarter right on your doorstep.

Transport for Wales train classes

• Standard Class: Comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi. There are also tables and power sockets for your devices.
• First Class: First class includes more spacious seating, greater comfort, large tables, and exclusive dining options.

Transport for Wales train travel advice

• Luggage: Maximum of three items of luggage. This goes up to two larger items and one smaller bag.
• Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small animals can travel for free. Dogs must be on a lead. Other animals must travel in carriers. There is a maximum of two pets per passenger.
• Bicycles: Bikes can be stored free of charge, but space is limited. It is strongly recommended that you book your ticket in advance to book a bike space. Booking early also lets you buy cheap train tickets, especially on sites like TrainPal.
• Children: Under 5’s can travel for free. Children aged 5 to 15 can save 50% on their tickets. Booking in advance using TrainPal helps ensure families can sit together. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
• Passenger Assist: Provide ramps for boarding and alighting trains, guide you through the station, help find and reserve seats, and assist with luggage.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.