Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly Trains From £4.90*

Crewe is only 28 miles from Manchester, so it only takes on average 33 minutes to get from Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly. Yet, that can change depending on which train service you’re travelling with.

You’ll first travel north through Cheshire before heading between Altrincham and Wilmslow in Greater Manchester. Finally, you'll pass Stockport before arriving in Manchester City Centre.

Avanti West Coast operates major routes, primarily from London Euston to destinations in Wales, Scotland, and the North of England. Given the name, Avanti West Coast operates along the West Coast of England, serving destinations as diverse as Birmingham, Liverpool and Glasgow.

Departing from Crewe

Crewe train station is on Nantwich Road on the edges of the town centre. Because it’s central, it’s conveniently serviced by local taxis and buses. It even has car parking spaces that are available seven days per week.

Crewe train station is a major railway hub for the North West of England, and as a consequence, many different railway franchises pass through it. Avanti West Coast, Northern, CrossCountry, and Transport for Wales all operate through Crewe.

Main stops

If you are travelling with Avanti West Coast or Transport for Wales, there are only two stops between Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly: Wilmslow and Stockport.

If you travel with Northern, there are eleven stops: Sandbach, Holmes Chapel, Goostrey, Chelford, Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Handforth, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, Heaton Chapel, and Levenshulme.

However, these routes may change due to scheduling or unpredictable events such as the weather. That’s why checking before you leave is best to avoid disappointment.

Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly

Manchester Piccadilly is Manchester’s busiest train station. Meaning it’s a great station to arrive at. It has connections to local buses, taxis, Metrolink trams, an airport shuttle train, and it is connected by rail to three other major Manchester train stations: Victoria, Oxford Road, and Deansgate.

After you arrive, keep your train ticket handy because showing your valid train ticket allows you to purchase a discounted ‘Plusbus’ ticket, which gives you access to unlimited travel throughout the city.

Avanti West Coast train classes

• Standard Class: Comfortable seating and Wi-Fi. There are also tables and power sockets for your devices.
• First Class: First Class tickets grant you complimentary dining options, larger seats and tables, and access to First Class lounges. These are both available at Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly.

Avanti West Coast train travel advice

• Luggage: Luggage racks for larger suitcases. Overhead luggage racks for medium-sized luggage, i.e. small suitcases and bags. Avanti operates a ‘Send my Bag’ service that delivers your luggage for you starting at £17.99 for 24kgs.
• Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small animals can travel for free. There is a maximum of two domestic pets per passenger. Additional pets are £5 extra. Other animals must travel in carriers.
• Bicycles: Bikes can be stored free of charge, but space is limited. You need to book a space.
• Children: Under 5’s can travel for free. Children aged 5 to 15 can get discounted children’s tickets. 16- and 17-year-olds can save 50% off with a 16-17 Railcard. Booking in advance using TrainPal helps ensure families can sit together
• Passenger Assist: Assist with boarding and alighting trains, book wheelchair space and seating, offer comprehensive rail information, and help with animals or pets.

Crewe is approximately 28 miles from Manchester, and Northern trains typically cover this distance in around 45 minutes, though travel times can vary based on the specific service and schedule.

The journey begins in Crewe, traveling north through Cheshire, with stops at key stations such as Sandbach and Wilmslow. As you approach Greater Manchester, you'll pass through Stockport before reaching Manchester Piccadilly in the city center.

Northern Rail operates a wide network across the North of England, providing essential connections between major cities and towns, including services that extend to Leeds, Liverpool, and Newcastle.

Northern train classes

• Standard Class: Comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi. There are also tables and power sockets for your devices.
• First Class: Northern does not have any First Class sections on any of their trains.

Northern 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. There is no need to book a space.
• Children: Under 5’s can travel for free. Children aged 5 to 15 can get discounted children’s tickets. 16- and 17-year-olds can save 50% off with a 16 – 17 Railcard. Booking in advance using TrainPal helps ensure families can sit together.
• Passenger Assist: Assist passengers with boarding and alighting trains, help with entering and exiting stations, reserve seats, purchase tickets, and more.

Transport for Wales offers services between Crewe and Manchester, typically taking around 50 minutes to complete the journey, though times may vary depending on the specific schedule.

Starting from Crewe, the route travels north through Cheshire, with notable stops including Wilmslow and Stockport, before reaching Manchester Piccadilly in the heart of the city.

Transport for Wales connects key locations across Wales and into England, offering routes that extend to Cardiff, Chester, and beyond. This service is integral for passengers traveling between Wales and major English cities, ensuring efficient and reliable transport options.

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.