Cardiff to Manchester Piccadilly Trains From £46.40*

It takes around three and a half hours to get from Cardiff to Manchester Piccadilly with Transport for Wales.

You'll head east from Cardiff on your journey before heading north towards Manchester. You'll pass through counties like Gwent, Herefordshire, and Cheshire before arriving in Greater Manchester.

Transport for Wales oversees the majority of train operations in Wales as well as cross-border services to England.

Departing from Cardiff Central

Cardiff Central Station can be found on Central Square, near Saunders Road, right in the heart of Cardiff City Centre. Making it a straightforward station to reach whether you're coming from elsewhere in Wales, have an early train to catch, or are just in a hurry.

Taxis can drop you off on Saunders Road right in front of the station's entrance, and now, Cardiff Bus Interchange is on Central Square ensuring getting to the station is easy peasy.

Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales, and CrossCountry run from Cardiff.

Main stops

There are ten stations from Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly: Newport, Cwmbran, Abergavenny, Hereford, Leominster, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, Crewe, Wilmslow, and Stockport.

These stops may change, so checking before you travel is best.

Booking your tickets early, adding a Railcard, and using TrainPal to find the best fares can all help you buy cheap train tickets.

Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly

Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly puts you right in the very centre of one of the UK’s most exciting and dynamic cities, Manchester. In the city's heart, you’re just a stone’s throw away from Piccadilly Gardens.

Likewise, the station is linked to taxis on the Fairfield Street side of Piccadilly Station. Frequent local bus routes are available outside, and regular Metrolink trams depart from Piccadilly Tram Station. So, whether you’re going to a concert at the AO Arena, shopping, or here for the footy, you can get around town in a jiffy. Two other busy Manchester railway stations, Victoria and Oxford Road, are also within walking distance. If you need to reach Manchester Airport, a regular train departs from Piccadilly and can take you to the airport in just fifteen minutes.

There’s tons to do nearby, in fact, so much of Manchester is on your doorstep from Piccadilly. There’s the Arndale Centre shopping centre, Manchester Art Gallery, the quirky and creative Northern Quarter, The Printworks entertainment district, and The National Football Museum. To boot, it’s jam-packed with great eateries, bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants or whatever else you’d like to indulge your taste buds in too.

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: It is possible to get a Cardiff to Manchester First Class ticket. 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.
• Children: Under 5’s can travel for free. Children aged 5 to 15 can save 50% on their tickets. 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.