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Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol train times and prices
Plan your journey from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol with ease. Explore the first and last train times, departure and arrival stations, distance, journey time, and price options to make the most of your trip.
Price*
From €26.07
Departure station
Arrival station
Journey time
2h 51m
Distance
141 miles (226km)
First/last train
08:26 / 23:00
Frequency
38
Train operators
* Note: Lowest prices are based on an analysis of recent historical pricing data. Live fares fluctuate based on demand and how far in advance you book.
7-day train ticket price trend
Travelling from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol by train? Find fares from as low as €26.07. Benefit from Advance tickets, Off-Peak train tickets, and Railcards for extra savings. Enjoy the most cost-effective and pleasant journey with TrainPal. For more tips on saving money, visit our UK cheap train ticket guide.
Cheapest
€26.07
On Sun 15
Live timetable and departures
The journey from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol on the fastest train in 2h 51m, usually 3h 23m. Each day, 38 trains leave from Manchester Piccadilly, starting at 08:26 and ending at 23:00. Get real-time updates on train schedules, delays, and cancellations. Save time, effort, and money with TrainPal.
| Departs | Arrives | Operator | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
08:26 Manchester Piccadilly | 3h 12m, 1 change | 11:38 Bristol Parkway | CrossCountry | Find tickets |
09:27 Manchester Piccadilly | 3h 11m, 1 change | 12:38 Bristol Parkway | CrossCountry | Find tickets |
09:30 Manchester Piccadilly | 3h 50m, 2 change | 13:20 Bristol Parkway | Transport for Wales | Find tickets |
09:30 Manchester Piccadilly | 4h 9m, 1 change | 13:39 Filton Abbey Wood | Transport for Wales | Find tickets |
09:59 Manchester Piccadilly | 4h 2m, 2 change | 14:01 Filton Abbey Wood | Great Western Railway | Find tickets |
View More Trains
Compare train operators from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol
- CrossCountry
- Great Western Railway
- Transport for Wales
CrossCountry combines one of the UK’s widest intercity networks with fast long-distance services linking the South West, South Coast, Midlands, Wales, Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland without relying on a London terminus.
Its Class 220 and 221 Voyager trains reach 125 mph, while Class 170 Turbostars cover regional routes. A Voyager fleet refurbishment is adding improved seating, lighting and Wi-Fi.
Standard
Free optional reservations available when booking
Airline-style and table seating with standard legroom
Fully air-conditioned carriages
Trolley service with hot and cold drinks, snacks and alcohol on most long-distance routes.
Luggage
Food & Drink
Pet
Onboard facilities
Bike
First Class
Ideal for business travellers, long-distance passengers and those looking for greater comfort
Guaranteed seat reservations on Advance First Class tickets
Spacious reclining fabric seats with increased legroom and a quieter carriage
Fully air-conditioned carriages
Complimentary food and drinks served at your seat by a dedicated host
Luggage
Food & Drink
Seat Types
Pet
Onboard facilities
Bike
TrainPal's Travel Expert Experience
"CrossCountry’s Voyager services can get busy as they progress along their routes, so choosing the right carriage can make a noticeable difference. On Class 220 and 221 trains, Coach B (on 5-car sets) or specific designated seats in Coach D (on 4-car sets) serve as the unreserved seating areas, making them worth checking if you are travelling with a flexible ticket or cannot reserve a seat."
"It is also worth checking if your service is being operated by one of the £75 million refurbished Voyager trains. The updated trains can be identified by their distinctive red livery with a white X and feature USB-A and USB-C charging ports built into the seat frames, making it easier to keep devices charged throughout a longer journey."
Essential onboard policies
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Luggage
- Most UK train operators allow passengers to bring a reasonable amount of luggage free of charge.
- This is commonly considered three items per passenger, typically 2 larger bags and 1 smaller bag. Larger items cover suitcases, backpacks, and other similarly-sized items.
- Bags go in overhead racks, under seats, or in designated floor-level luggage stacks.
- Occasionally, some providers have stricter policies, such as Lumo, which enforces a limit of 1 medium suitcase and 1 small under-seat bag per person.
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Bicycle
- Standard bicycles and folding bikes are generally allowed.
- Bike reservations are required on some services and are usually free.
- Some operators also permit tandems and e-bikes.
- Please note that e-scooters, motorcycles, tricycles, and bicycle trailers are not permitted.
- We strongly recommend checking the specific cycle policy on your train operator's website before you travel.
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Children
- Children under 5 usually travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying passenger.
- Children aged 5–15 get 50% off, and 16-year-olds can use the 16-17 Saver Railcard for 50% off.
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Pets
- Each provider generally allows up to two animals per passenger free of charge, but individual operators can have additional restrictions.
- Throughout the journey, dogs must be on a lead, and any other pets must remain in their carrier.
- Animals are not permitted on seats or in restaurant carriages.
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Passenger assistance
- Passengers with disabilities or additional needs can arrange free assistance with their train operator.
- This includes help at the station, boarding and leaving the train, and making connections. Assistance can also include ramps for wheelchair users and help finding accessible facilities or the correct platform.
- Wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets are available on many trains, although facilities vary by service.
- To ensure support is available for your journey, this service should be booked in advance.
Departing from Manchester Piccadilly
Address:
Piccadilly Station Approach, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 7RA, United Kingdom
Public Transport Links:
Tram: Piccadilly tram station is on the Blue and Yellow lines of the Metrolink network, serving Manchester Airport, Bury, Altrincham and other areas.
Bus: First and Stagecoach operate many routes across the city and Greater Manchester, including Fallowfield, West Didsbury and Cheetham Hill. Both of the city’s free bus routes also stop at the station.
Taxi pick-up and drop-off: You can catch a cab or have the driver drop you off at the station’s taxi rank on Fairfield Street.
Platforms:
16 platforms in total (14 National Rail and 2 Metrolink). Platforms 1-4 are mostly used by trains to Sheffield, Huddersfield and Crewe. Avanti West Coast and CrossCountry tend to use the longest platforms (5-9), while local services use the shorter(14 National Rail and 2 Metrolink) platforms (10-12). Services to Manchester Airport generally call at platforms 9-12. Trains to Wales, the north of England and Scotland typically depart from platform 13 or 14.
TrainPal's Travel Expert Experience
"Use the lift to the left of the waiting area or on Fairfield Street to avoid the concourse crowds and long stair routes. It is ideal for getting around the station with luggage and moving between rail platforms, the tram stop and taxi rank."
FAQs about Manchester Piccadilly Station
Is there parking at Manchester Piccadilly station?
Yes, the station has a 24-hour long-stay car park on Boad Street with 856 spaces and 32 accessible bays. For short stays and drop-offs, use the car park on Fairfield Street (open 24 hours). There are 47 spaces and three accessible parking bays.
What time does Manchester Piccadilly train station open?
Manchester Piccadilly generally opens about 20 minutes before the first train, around 02:40.
Are there lockers at Manchester Piccadilly station?
There aren’t any self-service lockers at Manchester Piccadilly, but the station does have a left luggage office. The office is located between platforms 10 and 11. Drop off and pick up your belongings from 07:00–23:00, Monday to Saturday and 08:00–23:00 on Sunday.
What food places are in Manchester Piccadilly station?
Manchester Piccadilly station has a range of coffee kiosks, fast food outlets and grocery shops. Options include Tortilla, M&S and Caffè Nero.
Does Manchester Piccadilly station have toilets?
Yes, there are toilets opposite platforms 11 and 12 at Manchester Piccadilly. Additional facilities are on the upper concourse and near the waiting lounge by platforms 13 and 14. Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available.
Arriving in Bristol
Top Things to Do:
Cross Clifton Suspension Bridge for sweeping views across the Avon Gorge and one of Bristol’s truly defining landmarks.
Explore Bristol Harbourside for waterside walks, museums and the city’s fantastic maritime character.
Visit Brunel’s SS Great Britain to step aboard one of Victorian engineering’s most important grand ships.
Discover Bristol’s trendy street art to see works by Banksy alongside murals spread throughout the city.
Climb Cabot Tower on Brandon Hill for even more elevated views across Bristol.
Popular Areas in Bristol:
Clifton Village, Wapping Wharf, Stokes Croft, Old City, Gloucester Road, and Bedminster.
Bristol Travel Guides:
TrainPal's Travel Expert Experience
"Visiting Bristol: One of the best ways to get beyond the obvious sights is to spend time around Stokes Croft, where street art and Bristol’s interesting modern side are much more visible. For something even more distinctive, look out for the tiny Christmas Steps nearby, which is a steep historic lane jam-packed with independent shops and old buildings that feels completely different from the modern city centre."
Delay Repay & Refund Policies from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol
Apply for CrossCountry Delay Repay
CrossCountry calculates Delay Repay compensation according to how late you arrive at your final destination, regardless of the cause of the delay. It operates under Delay Repay 30, so delays of less than 30 minutes are not eligible.
30 to 59 minutes: 50% of a single ticket, 25% of a return ticket, or 50% of the journey cost of a Season Ticket
60 to 119 minutes: 100% of a single ticket, 50% of a return ticket, or 100% of the journey cost of a Season Ticket
120 minutes or more: 100% of the total ticket cost, whether single, return or Season Ticket
Apply for Great Western Railway Delay Repay
If your Great Western Railway train is delayed, you can claim compensation depending on the length of your delay:
15–29 minutes: 25% of a single ticket, 12.5% of a return ticket or 25% of the % cost of a Season ticket journey.
30–59 minutes: 50% of a single ticket, 25% of a return ticket or 50% of the % cost of a Season ticket journey.
60–119 minutes: 100% of a single ticket, 50% of a return ticket or 100% of the % cost of a Season ticket journey.
Over 120 minutes: 100% of a single ticket, 100% of a return ticket or 200% of the % cost of a Season ticket journey. (Note: Two separate Advance Single tickets do not count as a return; you can only claim for the specific delayed ticket).
Apply for Transport for Wales Delay Repay
If your ScotRail train is delayed, you can claim compensation depending on the length of your delay:
30–59 minutes: 50% of a single ticket, 25% of a return ticket.
1 hr–1 hr 59 minutes: 100% of a single ticket, 50% of a return ticket.
2 hr or more: 100% of a single or return ticket (Note: Two separate Advance Single tickets do not count as a return; you can only claim for the specific delayed ticket).
FAQ
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How much is a train from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol?
Tickets from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol typically cost €103.42, but can be as cheap as €26.07 when booked in advance. Other factors that may affect the ticket price include time of day and ticket type, so be sure to research before purchasing.
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How long is the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol?
The journey should take, on average, 3h 23m, though it can be as quick as 2h 51m when booking specific services. Be sure to click the "Fastest" tab when searching your route to find out.
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Is there a direct train from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol?
There is no direct service between Manchester Piccadilly and Bristol. Instead, when browsing routes, you will see our recommendations for changeover stations that are the most convenient and time-efficient.
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How far in advance can I book my train from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol?
You can typically book tickets from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol up to 12 weeks before departure.
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Do Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol trains offer Wi-Fi?
Yes, most trains on the route from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol are equipped with Wi-Fi, as well as power sockets at your seat. However, please note that the availability of these services can vary depending on the train compan.
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How far is Manchester Piccadilly from Bristol?
The distance between Manchester Piccadilly and Bristol is approximately 141 miles (226km), depending on the specific stations you travel between.
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How frequent are trains from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol?
There is 38 train running from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol per day. Please note that trains run more regularly during peak hours.
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How can I buy the cheapest tickets from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol?
To get the cheapest ticket, we recommend buying in advance, as early as 12 weeks before departure. We'd also strongly suggest travelling during off-peak hours where possible and getting a Railcard, which typically offers ⅓ off your ticket cost and is available to most travellers!
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How do I check if my train is delayed or cancelled?
Keep a close eye on your journey via the TrainPal app, which offers real-time information on train status and notifications of any train strikes that will impact you.
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Can my tickets be refunded or changed?
In the UK, refund and change policies for train tickets vary by type. Advance tickets are generally non-refundable but may be changeable for a fee. Flexible tickets, like Anytime and Off-Peak tickets, offer more options for refunds and changes. Review the specific terms and conditions of your ticket or refer to UK train ticket types for precise details.
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* Prices are dynamic and subject to change. Ticket prices vary based on time of day, route, and class. This pricing does not apply to discounted Split tickets and Railcards.
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