Birmingham Canal with boats on the water and concreted land on the side.

Manchester to Birmingham Train Tickets

Book Cheap Train Tickets From Manchester to Birmingham

Located in the West Midlands, Birmingham is well worth visiting from Manchester. If you are taking a Manchester to Birmingham train, you can take direct trains from Manchester Piccadilly to Birmingham New Street operated by CrossCountry. Another route to Birmingham New Street is to take a Transport for Wales train to Crewe, then change trains and take a West Midlands Trains or Avanti West Coast service to Birmingham New Street. Birmingham trains from Manchester take on average 1 Hour 32 Minutes, though the fastest service from Manchester takes just 1 Hour 24 Minutes. Trains from Manchester to Birmingham cover 70 Miles / 113 Kilometres. You may find fewer direct services are running on weekends. If you want to choose different departure and arrival stations in Manchester or Birmingham you can easily navigate between stations in either city.

Search Birmingham train fares, view the different ticket types available, and check train times for your trip from Manchester using our journey planner. To find the cheapest train tickets from Manchester Piccadilly to Birmingham New Street, we recommend you book in advance of your departure date and travel during off-peak times.

Travelling From Manchester to Birmingham by Train

Departure Station

Manchester Piccadilly


Arrival Station

Birmingham New Street


Distance

70 Miles / 113 Kilometres


First Train

05:11


Last Train

22:04


Fastest Journey Time

1 Hour 24 Minutes


Average Journey Time

1 Hour 32 Minutes


Frequency

38 Trains per day


Operators

CrossCountry, Transport for Wales


Manchester to Birmingham Train Routes

The journey from Manchester to Birmingham runs along the West Coast Mainline route. There are many popular trains to destinations nearby, including Bristol, Oxford, and Leicester.

Train Companies

CrossCountry

CrossCountry runs direct services from Manchester Piccadilly to Birmingham New Street. You can book a seat in standard or first class, with first-class offering more comfortable seats and complimentary food and drink.

Transport for Wales

TfW run services from Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe, from Crewe you can then take a direct service with another operator to Birmingham New Street.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the train from Manchester to Birmingham take?

The train from Manchester to Birmingham takes an average of 1 Hour 32 Minutes.

How much does the train from Manchester to Birmingham cost?

The cost of the train from Manchester to Birmingham can vary. To find the cheapest fare, it is recommended to book in advance and to travel at an off-peak time.

What time does the first train from Manchester to Birmingham leave?

The first trains to Birmingham start leaving from Manchester Piccadilly at 05:11.

What's the distance between Manchester and Birmingham by train?

The distance between Manchester and Birmingham by train is 70 Miles / 113 Kilometres.

What's the fastest journey time between Manchester and Birmingham by train?

The fastest journey time between Manchester and Birmingham by train is 1 Hour 24 Minutes.

Is there a direct train from Manchester to Birmingham?

CrossCountry operates a direct train from Manchester to Birmingham.

What time does the last train from Manchester to Birmingham leave?

The last train from Manchester to Birmingham leaves at 22:04.

When should you book your train tickets from Manchester to Birmingham?

You should book your train tickets from Manchester to Birmingham as early as possible. The average ticket price tends to increase the later you book. For the cheapest average price, you can normally book advance tickets up to 12 weeks in advance.

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