Bus from Cardiff to Manchester: Tickets & Schedules

Next bus departures

Next departures for Cardiff to Manchester on January 7
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
FlixbusBus
Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)
Manchester (Moss Lane East)Cheapest
National ExpressBus
    		Sophia Gardens
    		Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)Fastest
    FlixbusBus
    		Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)
    		Manchester AirportNo tags
    National ExpressBus
      		Sophia Gardens
      		Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)No tags
      FlixbusBus
      		Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)
      		ShudehillNo tags

      Last refresh of the prices: Today at 7:08 PM GMT.

      Compare 3 ways to go from Cardiff to Manchester

      We recommend carpooling

      Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as the good way to reach Manchester. The journey takes about 3 hours 20 minutes and with fares starting at just $19, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

      1carpool per day
      3h 20mAverage Duration
      144 milesDistance
      10kgCO₂ emissions
      Bus
      		Average Price$18 - $140Average Duration7h 25m
      6kg CO₂e
      Train
      		Average Price$44 - $233Average Duration3h 45m
      6kg CO₂e
      Carpool
      		Average Price$19 - $41Average Duration3h 20m
      10kg CO₂e

      Frequently asked questions about traveling from Cardiff to Manchester by bus

      Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.

      1. How much is the bus ticket from Cardiff to Manchester?

        The cheapest bus tickets from Cardiff to Manchester start from $18. The average price for this route is around $27. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.

      2. How long is the bus ride from Cardiff to Manchester?

        The average bus trip duration from Cardiff to Manchester is 7h 25m, covering a distance of 144 miles (232 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 5h 5m and is operated by Megabus UK.

      3. Which bus companies service the Cardiff to Manchester route?

        Several major bus companies operate on this route with 12 buses available per day, including services from FlixBus, National Express, Megabus UK.

      4. What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Cardiff to Manchester?

        The earliest bus departs from Cardiff to Manchester at 12:45am. And the latest bus departs at 11:25pm.

      5. What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Cardiff to Manchester?

        A bus trip from Cardiff to Manchester generates an estimated 6 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and recommended mode of travel by Busbud.

      6. What is the best bus company from Cardiff to Manchester?

        According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is National Express, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 29818 reviews.

      7. Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Cardiff to Manchester?

        Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company National Express has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.4.

      8. Which bus company has the most timely service from Cardiff to Manchester?

        According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most timely bus company on this route is National Express, with a punctuality rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.

      9. Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Cardiff to Manchester?

        According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is National Express, with a cleanliness rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

      Find cheapest prices for buses

      Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

      Best price found
      01/04
      $41
      01/05
      $41
      Today
      $38
      01/07
      $18
      01/08
      $17
      01/09
      $20
      01/10
      $21
      01/11
      $23
      busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Cardiff to Manchester was searched and found on Jan 8, 2026 with a price of $17

      To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Cardiff to Manchester, as early as possible.

      You can expect to pay from $17 to $41 for a bus ticket from Cardiff to Manchester based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $17 which is on 2026-01-08.

      What's the cheapest way to go from Cardiff to Manchester?

      busbud logoThe Bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

      People from around the world trust Busbud

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