Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly Trains From £36.50*

Travel from Cardiff to Manchester for less when you book affordable direct routes with Transport for Wales (TfW).

In just over three hours, get from Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly by train with frequent and efficient services. Whether you’re travelling for business meetings or a world-class music or sports event, taking the train from Cardiff to Manchester is a convenient and enjoyable way to start your day in style.

Along the way, you’ll whizz past miles of Welsh and West of England countryside, including the Shropshire Hills National Landscape. Best of all, when you buy cheap train tickets with TrainPal, you can sit back and relax, knowing you secured the best price for your journey. 

With Transport for Wales, travel around Wales and beyond, including direct routes between Cardiff, Birmingham, Crewe, Newport, Tenby, and other great destinations.

Departing from Cardiff Central

Ahead of your journey from Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly, make the most of well-equipped station amenities. Whether it’s accessible toilets or baby changing facilities, comfortable waiting rooms and seating areas, or shops and refreshments, the station has everything you need for a fruitful and comfortable wait.

Getting to Cardiff Central is simple too, with local buses running from around the city to Cardiff Bus Interchange. Cardiff is also a walkable city, making it easy to arrive at Cardiff Central by foot.

From Cardiff Central, take trains operated by Transport for Wales, Great Western Railway, and CrossCountry to places like Swansea, Bridgend, London Paddington, Pembroke Dock, and Barry Island.

Main stops

Travel the 144 miles from Cardiff to Manchester quickly and efficiently with a direct route run by Transport for Wales. Typical stops include Newport (South Wales), Cwmbran, Abergavenny, Hereford, Leominster, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, Crewe, Wilmslow, and Stockport, before arriving at Manchester Piccadilly.

Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly

A major rail terminus in the northwest of England, Manchester Piccadilly is a well-connected station located to the south of the city. Whether you are heading to Manchester for sports, music, or business, Manchester Piccadilly is a convenient arrival point offering great access to local bus routes and the Manchester 'Metrolink' tram network.

If you have time, the station is within a few minutes’ walk of attractions like Piccadilly Gardens. Or, if city centre shopping is your thing, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Manchester, with major brands and independent shops and stalls galore. Then, after a long day of browsing, relax in the city’s highly regarded foodie scene as vibrant bars and international cuisine restaurants.

Manchester Piccadilly takes passengers around the UK on high-speed services to places like Stoke-On-Trent, Sheffield, Norwich, Windermere, Liverpool Lime Street, and London Euston. Calling at the station, several major operators serve Manchester’s busy rail needs, from TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast, to Transport for Wales, Northern, and East Midlands Railway.

Transport for Wales travel advice

On services from Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly, benefit from generous luggage allowances, bicycle transport options, and child discounts with Transport for Wales.

Here’s everything you need to know:

• Luggage: TfW requests that passengers bring no more than three items of luggage onboard, including two larger items up to 90cm x 70cm x 30cm, which must be stored in designated luggage areas, and one small item like a handbag, small rucksack, or satchel.
• Bicycles: Bring your bicycle on TfW trains for free, subject to space limitations. To secure your spot, you can reserve a free cycle space in advance of your journey. E-scooters, e-unicycles, electric bikes, motorcycles, and mopeds are not allowed.
• Children: Under 11s can travel for free at any time on TfW services, while under 16s can travel for free off-peak when accompanied by a fare paying adult. With a 16-17 Saver, teens aged 16 or 17 can also benefit from 50% off Standard Season, Off-Peak, Advance and Anytime tickets.
• Pets: Travellers with TfW can bring dogs, cats and other small animals, up to two per passenger, so long as they don’t endanger or inconvenience other passengers or staff.
• Passenger Assist: If you have additional needs, arrange assistance before your journey. TfW has a “Making Rail Accessible: Helping Older and Disabled Passengers” guide, which has all the accessibility information you will need about its stations and trains.

Transport for Wales train classes

• Standard Class: The most affordable way to get from Cardiff to Manchester is on TfW standard class ticket. A comfortable onboard experience, with snacks available to purchase, standard class passengers can get Off-Peak tickets at quieter travel times for the best value.
• First Class: For the best comfort and customer service, upgrade to a Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly First Class train ticket. Relax in spacious seats, and enjoy greater comfort and exclusive food and drink offerings on your journey.

Whether you are travelling in standard or first class seats, get Railcard discounts on your journey from Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly. With ⅓ savings on all rail journeys in the UK (except peak times) for one whole year, Railcards are the best way to get ongoing discounts on your rail travel. Choose from 16-25 Railcard, Disabled Persons Railcard, Senior Railcard, and Two Together Railcard, among others, depending on your age and eligibility.

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