Next train departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Train | Reading | Manchester Piccadilly | Cheapest | ||||
| Train | Reading | Manchester Piccadilly | Fastest | ||||
| Train | Reading | Manchester Piccadilly | No tags | ||||
| Train | Reading | Manchester Piccadilly | No tags | ||||
| Train | Reading | Manchester Piccadilly | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Last Tuesday at 13:43 GMT.
Compare 3 ways to travel from Reading to Manchester
Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as a good way to reach Manchester. The journey takes about 3 hours and with fares starting at just £24, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Train Companies
Based on 44 reviews, the company was rated 4.3 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the departure location but often complained with the value for money. CrossCountry ticket prices on this trip start at £24
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Reading to Manchester by train
Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your journey.
How much does a train ticket cost from Reading to Manchester?
The cheapest train tickets from Reading to Manchester start from £24. The average price for this train route is around £120. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Reading to Manchester?
The average train journey time from Reading to Manchester is 3h 14m, covering a distance of 149 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 3h 8m and is operated by CrossCountry.
Which train operators serve the Reading to Manchester route?
Several major train operators run on this route with 6 trains available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Reading to Manchester?
The earliest train from Reading to Manchester departs at 07:15. And the latest train departs at 19:15.
Find cheapest prices for trains
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Reading to Manchester was searched and found on 13 Dec 2025 with a price of £23To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Reading to Manchester as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from £23 to £314 for a train ticket from Reading to Manchester based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at £23, which is on 2025-12-13.
