Bristol to Manchester Trains From £49.50*

Getting from Bristol Parkway to Manchester Piccadilly with CrossCountry usually takes under three hours.

You'll begin your journey at Bristol Parkway, situated in Gloucestershire, and then travel up through the western flank of England, passing through Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and Staffordshire before arriving in the north's hotspot, Greater Manchester. The scenery will change on your journey, passing through twee English villages rich in green fields, antediluvian churches, and a palette of colourful forests and meadows to the industrial and modern buildings of today's Manchester.

CrossCountry offers an extensive railway network linking numerous towns and cities across England, Scotland, and Wales. This enables fast and easy travel to key British cities such as Cardiff, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham.

Departing from Bristol Parkway

Despite its name, Bristol Parkway is located in Gloucestershire rather than Bristol. It serves the South Wales Mainline and is the busiest station in Gloucestershire and the third-most heavily used station in the West of England Combined Authority, after Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa. CrossCountry and Great Western Railway mainly serve Bristol Parkway.

Bristol Parkway Station is located along Station Approach Road, just off Hatchet Road, in the town of Stoke Gifford, north of Bristol. Although it's outside Bristol itself, it's still well-connected to local bus routes, and a taxi can drop you off at the station's entrance. It also houses a massive 1140-space car park that's in use all week round.

Main stops

There are seven stops between Bristol Parkway and Manchester Piccadilly: Cheltenham Spa, Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Stoke-On-Trent, Macclesfield, and Stockport.

These may change due to scheduling issues or other instances, like engineering work or poor weather. So, it's best to check in advance before you travel.

Adding a Railcard can help you get a cheaper ticket, but if you want to buy cheap train tickets, it's also a good idea to book your tickets early and use sites like TrainPal to find the cheapest fares.

Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly

Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly puts you in the heart of Manchester City Centre, near Piccadilly Gardens, which means you’re in a prime position to explore the rest of the city.

It’s easy to get out and explore, too. Manchester Piccadilly is linked by taxis on the Fairfield Street side of the station, frequent local bus routes are accessible outside the station, and regular Metrolink trams depart from Piccadilly Tram Station. This makes reaching any destination in Manchester convenient, easy, and quick. If you need to get to Manchester Airport, a regular train departs from Piccadilly, which can take you to the airport in only fifteen minutes.

The Arndale Centre, Manchester Art Gallery, and the Northern Quarter are only a few minutes’ walk from Manchester Piccadilly. At the same time, places like The Lowry, Old Granada Studios, and the AO Arena are only a few minutes by taxi, bus or tram. Two other major railway stations, Victoria and Oxford Road, are also within walking distance.

Manchester Piccadilly is a busy and frequently used station that serves the west of the UK but also connects it to the East Coast Mainline through its route towards York. Consequently, UK rail operators like Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry, Transport for Wales, Northern, and East Midlands Railways all use this station.

CrossCountry train classes

• Standard Class: Onboard Wi-Fi, charging points, and tables. Snacks and drinks are available from the onboard shop.
• First Class: A CrossCountry Bristol to Manchester First Class ticket provides a more spacious and comfortable journey with larger seats and complimentary refreshments.

CrossCountry train travel advice

• Luggage: A maximum of three items: one small item, one medium-sized bag, and one large suitcase.
• Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small pets are free of charge. They must be well-behaved and do not disturb other passengers. Two pets per passenger.
• Bicycles: Bicycle reservations are required before travelling.
• Children: Children receive cheaper tickets. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
• Passenger Assist: Provide assistance at stations and on trains, or during transfers, help with luggage, offer discounts for disabled passengers, and other services.

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