London to Manchester Piccadilly Trains From £14.00*

Is Avanti West Coast First Class worth it?

For many passengers, First Class is worthwhile if comfort and convenience are priorities. Along with access to First Class lounges at London Euston, you'll enjoy spacious 2+1 seating, generous legroom, reclining seats, guaranteed tables, and complimentary food and drinks served at your seat.

What is the difference between Standard Premium and First Class?

Standard Premium offers many of the physical comforts of First Class without the higher fare. You'll get wider seats, extra legroom, larger tables, and a quieter environment, but complimentary catering and lounge access are not included.

Food and drinks can be purchased from the passing trolley or ordered through Avanti's Click & Collect service for pickup, making it an attractive middle-ground option.

What amenities are available in Avanti Standard Class?

Standard Class includes free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and tables on selected seats. Power sockets are available at most table and window seats, while USB charging points are becoming increasingly common across refurbished trains. Hot drinks, snacks, sandwiches, and light meals are available to purchase through the trolley service or Click & Collect.

More than 40 million passengers use London Euston annually, while Manchester Piccadilly welcomes over 27 million passengers each year, making them two of the UK's busiest rail hubs.

Departure from London Euston

London Euston is the sole departure point for direct Avanti West Coast services to Manchester Piccadilly.

Specific transport links

• The London Underground: The Victoria Line offers one of the quickest cross-London connections, while both branches of the Northern Line provide direct access to Euston station.
• TfL buses: Numerous Transport for London bus routes stop at Euston Bus Station immediately outside the main entrance.
• London Overground: Euston connects directly with London Overground services towards Watford Junction.
• Walking connections: Euston Square Underground station is around five minutes away on foot, offering access to the Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines.

Station layout

• Main concourse: Departure boards display platform numbers around 15 to 20 minutes before departure, so waiting in the central concourse is usually the easiest approach.
• Platforms: Avanti West Coast trains to Manchester commonly depart from platforms 5 to 16, accessed directly from the rear of the main concourse.
• First Class Lounge: Eligible passengers can use the Avanti West Coast First Class Lounge on the mezzanine level before boarding their train.

Pre-departure essentials

M&S Simply Food and Sainsbury's Local are popular for meal deals, while Pret A Manger and LEON offer fresh coffee, breakfast, sandwiches, and hot meals. You'll also find WHSmith for travel essentials, magazines, and snacks.

Onboard trains from London to Manchester Piccadilly

High-speed Pendolino trains travel at up to 125 mph, covering the route in just over two hours on the fastest services.

The scenic side

• Sit on the right-hand side to enjoy broad views across the countryside of Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, with open farmland, villages, and rolling landscapes dominating much of the southern route.
• Sit on the left-hand side later in the journey for views of canals, industrial heritage, and sections of the Cheshire countryside before reaching Manchester.

Key landmarks

• The Trent Valley: Watch for stretches of the Trent and Mersey Canal running alongside the railway, accompanied by historic villages and Staffordshire countryside.
• Rugby: The train passes through one of Britain's most important railway junctions, where multiple West Coast Main Line routes converge.
• Stafford: This historic market town marks one of the principal points along the West Coast Main Line before trains continue north-west.

Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly

Manchester Piccadilly has 14 platforms and handles more than 27 million passengers annually, making it the city's primary rail gateway.

The correct exit

• Main station entrance: Follow signs through the principal concourse for the quickest walk towards Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, and the Northern Quarter.
• Fairfield Street exit: Use this exit for the official taxi rank, accessible pick-up area, and most rideshare collection points.
• Metrolink access: Stay within the station and follow signs downstairs to reach Manchester Metrolink platforms without leaving the building.

Onward travel

• Manchester Metrolink: Frequent tram services operate to St Peter's Square, Deansgate-Castlefield, MediaCity, East Didsbury, Bury, and The Trafford Centre.
• Free Bus: Free city centre buses stop close to the main entrance, linking major shopping, business, and entertainment districts throughout central Manchester.
• Local buses: Bee Network buses depart from nearby stops, providing extensive connections across Greater Manchester and surrounding suburbs.
• Taxis: Licensed black cabs are available from the Fairfield Street rank throughout the day, with rideshares also collecting passengers nearby.

Walkability

Manchester city centre is highly walkable from Piccadilly station. Piccadilly Gardens can be reached in around 10 minutes on foot, while the Northern Quarter, Market Street, Canal Street, and many of the city's leading restaurants, hotels, museums, and shopping destinations are comfortably accessible without needing additional transport.