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Photos from our destination guides; each links to the page that lists the place.
- Fastest published time3 hr 5 min1
- Straight-line distanceabout 227 km (141 miles)
- FaresVary: book ahead for Advance4
The time above is the quickest journey on the National Rail page we read on 1 Nov 2026; it is not a timetable. Some trains take longer and some need a change. Check the National Rail journey planner (opens in new tab) for your date.
Where the trains go from
From Manchester National Rail lists direct trains to Liverpool, Chester, Stockport, Blackpool, Crewe, Birmingham, Oxford, Southampton, Cardiff.3
From Bristol it lists direct trains to Bath, Exeter, Plymouth, Cardiff, Penzance, Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh.1
National Rail lists three more city stations: Manchester Victoria, Oxford Road and Deansgate, each for different local and regional lines.3
| Station | Managed by | Step-free access | Left luggage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol Temple Meads station page on National Rail (opens in new tab) 2 | Network Rail | Step-free category A: there is step-free access to all platforms | No left luggage listed |
| Manchester Piccadilly station page on National Rail (opens in new tab) 2 | Network Rail | Step-free category A: there is step-free access to all platforms | Left luggage listed (Mon to Sat 07:00 to 23:00; Sun 08:00 to 23:00) |
Step-free categories are National Rail’s own. More on storing bags: luggage storage at stations and airports. Main-line hubs on the way: rail gateway stations.
Which ticket to look for
- Advance. Single tickets for one train on one date. National Rail says you can usually buy them up to 12 weeks ahead and, on many routes, until shortly before departure. You may pay £10 to change one plus any fare difference (as stated on 1 Nov 2026); they are non-refundable unless your train is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel.4
- Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak. Not tied to one train, but limited to quieter times. National Rail says off-peak hours generally begin at 09:30 on weekdays in cities and large towns (09:00 elsewhere), and weekends and bank holidays are off-peak all day. Evening restrictions may apply.5
- Anytime. The most flexible and usually the most expensive.6
A Railcard can cut many fares by a third. See rail tickets explained, Railcards and the which ticket helper.
Step-free travel and assistance
National Rail’s Passenger Assist lets you book help for the whole journey through one train company, even across several trains. It says train companies accept requests up to 2 hours before the journey starts, and that you can also turn up and go by asking staff or using a Help Point.7 See accessible travel.
Other ways to make the trip
Coach. Long-distance coaches are usually slower but can be cheaper. See coaches and long-distance buses for the operators.
Driving. Read driving in Britain first if you plan to hire a car, especially for the city driving zones.
More train routes
- London to Bristol by train
- London to Manchester by train
- Bath to Bristol by train
- Liverpool to Manchester by train
- Bristol to Wales by train
- Bristol to Cardiff by train
- Manchester to York by train
- Manchester to Oxford by train
- Bristol to Liverpool by train
- Edinburgh to Manchester by train
- Glasgow to Manchester by train
- Manchester to Wales by train
Questions
How long is the train from Bristol to Manchester?
The fastest journey National Rail publishes takes 3 hr 5 min. Many trains take longer, and some need a change: check the journey planner for your date.
How much is the train from Bristol to Manchester?
There is no single fare. Prices depend on the ticket type, time and how early you book. National Rail says Advance tickets can usually be bought up to 12 weeks ahead and are only valid on the train you book; Off-Peak tickets are cheaper than Anytime tickets where they exist.