Reading to Manchester Piccadilly Trains From £8.83*

Take the train from Reading to Manchester Piccadilly on CrossCountry services that make getting to the North West faster and more efficient. 

Departing from the largest town in Berkshire, get to one of the most vibrant cities in Northern England in approximately 3 hours. Travelling from Reading to Manchester is affordable when you buy cheap train tickets with TrainPal in advance.

Speed up the west of England from Reading, stopping at iconic cities like Oxford, Coventry, and Birmingham on your route to Manchester. From your window, see miles of glorious English countryside, and relax in your comfortable seat.

CrossCountry operates a comprehensive national rail service across England, Scotland, and Wales. With connections between seven of the UK’s 10 largest cities, including Manchester, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, and Birmingham, travel to the four corners of the British Isles with CrossCountry.

Departing from Reading

Reading is the ninth busiest railway station in the UK outside London, and a great place to start your trip to Manchester. 

Departing from Reading, you’ll be in the heart of the historical town on Station Road. Getting to the station is easy with various local buses. If you’re arriving by bike, there is ample storage (344 bike spaces) available to store your two-wheeler.

The station boasts fast, efficient connections to London and South West England. With public Wi-Fi, sheltered waiting rooms, and machines to collect pre-paid tickets, Reading is a comfortable departure point for your journey to Manchester Piccadilly. The station also has step-free access to all platforms, refreshment counters selling light meals and drinks, baby changing facilities, and accessible toilets.

Take the train to Cardiff, London, Bristol, Plymouth, Manchester, and Birmingham on services operated by Elizabeth Line, Great Western Railway, CrossCountry, and South Western Railway.

Main stops

From Reading to Manchester Piccadilly, the direct route will call at Oxford, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Coventry, Birmingham International, Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Stoke-On-Trent, Macclesfield, and Stockport. Note: exact stops may vary depending on routes and timetables.

Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly

Arrive at Manchester Piccadilly, a central Manchester station with national connections and excellent facilities.

Upon arrival, you’ll find the station has excellent facilities, including well-provisioned waiting rooms, accessible toilets, and a variety of refreshment counters selling tasty light meals, coffee, and snacks.

Manchester Piccadilly provides excellent local transport connections around the city. Conveniently located near Piccadilly Gardens, the station is an ideal arrival point for a day out in Manchester: board local bus services or the Manchester 'Metrolink' tram network directly outside the station.

A dynamic city in North West England, Manchester is a top sports and music hub. Train passengers come for city centre shopping, a thriving bar and restaurant scene, and cultural attractions like Manchester Museum, which tells the stories and shares objects of the city’s past and present in unique galleries.

Manchester Piccadilly is a significant regional rail terminus. From the station, board high-speed trains to London, Sheffield, Norwich, Liverpool, and beyond on services run by CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, Transport for Wales, Northern, and East Midlands Railway.

CrossCountry train classes

• Standard Class: Travel at the lowest prices from Reading to Manchester Piccadilly with CrossCountry in Standard Class seats. Get a comfortable travel experience, with free onboard Wi-Fi, plug sockets, and optional tables.
• First Class: For those wanting to upgrade their trip to Manchester, choose a Reading to Manchester Piccadilly First Class ticket. On a journey over three hours, wide reclining seats are a blessing, while individual tables and quiet carriages help every traveller get the peace they deserve.

CrossCountry train travel advice

• Bicycles: When travelling from Reading to Manchester, bring a bike on board at no extra cost. CrossCountry allows passengers to reserve a space online for their bike before their journey, so there is no stress with finding room on the day.
• Luggage: Take up to three items of luggage on CrossCountry trains. If you’re heading to Manchester on a weekend away, you don’t have to worry about squeezing everything into one suitcase!
• Pets: Every (human) traveller can bring two pets on CrossCountry trains to Manchester for free. All companion animals should stay on a lead or in a secure carrier throughout the ride.
• Children: Family adventures cost less by train! Under 5s travel free with CrossCountry when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, while children aged 5 to 15 get a 50% discount.
• Passenger Assist: If you want help with your journey, whether assistance boarding trains, navigating stations, or using a wheelchair ramp, book Passenger Assist at least two hours before your departure time.

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