Manchester Airport to Manchester — Transport Guide 2026
Manchester Airport (MAN) is 15 km south of central Manchester. Direct train from The Station (connected to all terminals via covered walkway) to Piccadilly in 15 min. Also a major national rail hub.
Last updated: 2026-07
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Northern / TransPennine to Piccadilly
Metrolink Tram
Bus 43
Taxi / Uber
Direct trains from Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport station reaches 118 stations without changing trains. These are the busiest routes on a weekday, with the fastest journey and the first and last train. Manchester Airport station: facilities, step-free access and all direct trains.
| Direct to | Trains a weekday | Fastest | First – last |
|---|---|---|---|
Manchester Piccadilly Transport for Wales, Northern, TransPennine Express | 125 | 13 min | 05:25 – 23:46 |
Glasgow Central TransPennine Express | 6 | 3h 31m | 07:04 – 17:04 |
Edinburgh TransPennine Express | 8 | 3h 28m | 06:03 – 20:04 |
Liverpool Lime Street Northern | 18 | 1h 20m | 05:32 – 23:07 |
Manchester Oxford Road Transport for Wales, Northern, TransPennine Express | 105 | 16 min | 05:25 – 23:25 |
Preston (Lancs) Northern, TransPennine Express | 68 | 53 min | 05:29 – 23:46 |
Chester Transport for Wales | 19 | 1h 21m | 05:25 – 23:25 |
Crewe Northern | 14 | 31 min | 05:51 – 19:01 |
Haymarket TransPennine Express | 8 | 3h 23m | 06:03 – 20:04 |
Bolton Northern | 50 | 32 min | 05:29 – 23:46 |
Carlisle TransPennine Express | 14 | 2h 05m | 06:03 – 20:04 |
Lancaster Northern, TransPennine Express | 31 | 1h 10m | 05:29 – 21:59 |
Timetable for Friday, 2 October 2026, from National Rail Enquiries. Trains change with engineering work and timetable changes; check your train before you travel.
Train times to UK cities from Manchester Airport
The quickest journey to each city with no more than one change, for trains leaving between 06:00 and 20:00.
| To | Journey | Route |
|---|---|---|
Liverpool Liverpool Lime Street | 1h 20m | Direct |
Sheffield | 1h 28m | Change at Manchester Oxford Road |
London London Euston | 2h 13m | Change at Wilmslow |
Nottingham | 2h 25m | Change at Manchester Oxford Road |
Oxford | 3h 14m | Change at Crewe |
Edinburgh | 3h 28m | Direct |
Glasgow Glasgow Central | 3h 31m | Direct |
Cardiff Cardiff Central | 3h 34m | Change at Manchester Piccadilly |
Bristol Bristol Temple Meads | 3h 35m | Change at Manchester Piccadilly |
Reading | 3h 42m | Change at Crewe |
Exeter Exeter St Davids | 4h 37m | Change at Manchester Piccadilly |
Southampton Southampton Central | 4h 43m | Change at Crewe |
Norwich | 5h 07m | Change at Manchester Oxford Road |
Aberdeen | 5h 54m | Change at Haymarket |
Inverness | 6h 58m | Change at Haymarket |
Planned on the National Rail timetable for Friday, 2 October 2026, including time to change trains. Cities that need two or more changes on National Rail are not listed; Underground and tram connections are not included. Check your journey before you travel.
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Getting out of Manchester (MAN)
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