How to Travel From Manchester to London by Train
It’s easy to travel from Manchester to London by train, with Avanti West Coast running dozens of direct trains each day on this route.
Below, you can learn more about this popular UK rail route, including how to buy tickets and what the actual train journey is like.
Avanti West Coast train at Manchester Piccadilly. ©AndyBTravels
From Manchester to London by train
All direct trains between Manchester and London are operated by Avanti West Coast, though there are also plenty of one-stop connections with other operators.
The fastest trains between Manchester and London take around 2 hours and 10 minutes, though some services are a bit slower, as they stop at more stations along the way or take a slightly longer route.
Manchester Piccadilly is the main long-distance railway station in Manchester and the place where your train will depart from, while Euston is the London terminus used by Avanti West Coast.
Avanti West Coast trains offer standard class (2nd class, with seats in a 2+2 configuration), standard premium (premium 2nd class, with seats in a 2+1 configuration), and first class (also with a 2+1 seating configuration, but with full drinks and meal service included).
A first class ticket will also give you access to the Avanti lounges in Manchester and London.
Standard class on an Avanti West Coast train. ©AndyBTravels
First class on an Avanti West Coast train. ©AndyBTravels
How to book tickets
The best website to book British train tickets is Transport for Wales (TfW), as this platform allows you to book tickets from all UK rail companies, including Avanti West Coast.
You can compare prices for direct Avanti West Coast trains with one-stop options, which may be cheaper.
Personally, I think the website is easier to use than those of most other British train operators, making it my preferred choice. Read more about how to book UK train tickets.
What the experience is like
In the YouTube video I made below for DiscoverByRail, you can travel with me as I take an Avanti West Coast train from Manchester to London in first class.
Find out what the train looks like and what the on-board service is like!
Conclusion
In just over two hours, you can travel directly from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston on an Avanti West Coast train, with multiple departures each day.
Opt for standard class, or go for first class for a more premium travel experience with drinks and meals included.
Want to read about other UK train journeys? Join me as I travel by train from London to York!
