Find buses from Birmingham to Manchester

Passengers travelling by National Express bus from Birmingham to Manchester usually depart from Birmingham Coach Station in Digbeth. This major interchange is home to the UK headquarters of the National Express bus service and has a wide range of facilities including cafés, toilets, vending machines and waiting rooms. Travellers will arrive at Manchester Coach Station, which is about a mile from Castlefield and the Roman fort of Mamucium in the city centre. Passengers with Megabus bus tickets from Birmingham to Manchester usually depart from Birmingham New Street, the largest railway station in Birmingham with many train, tram and bus connections. Megabus buses arrive at the Shudehill Interchange in Manchester, a short walk from Victoria station.

During the week, the first Birmingham to Manchester bus usually departs at around 7:30 from the Birmingham Coach Station with National Express. Megabus also has early departures from Birmingham New Street from around 7:50. Both companies operate regular services throughout the day with buses to Manchester from Birmingham that depart every hour. The last buses of the day depart at around 23:00 and arrive in Manchester at around 00:45. Buses run on a reduced schedule on Saturdays and Sundays. If you need to arrive in Manchester early in the morning, you can also find night buses from Birmingham to Manchester.

Passengers travelling with National Express are permitted to bring two medium sized suitcases (with a maximum dimension of 27in x 17in x 11in) or one large suitcase (29in x 19in x 12in), each weighing less than 44lbs, which will be stored in the hold. One piece of soft hand luggage is allowed onboard, but the dimensions must be less than 17in x 13in x 7in. Folding pushchairs can be transported free of charge. If you want to carry more, you can add extra luggage when booking your ticket. Megabus passengers are permitted a 44lb luggage allowance in the hold and can store smaller items in the overhead luggage racks. Always ensure your luggage is securely locked and clearly identified with your name and contact details.

If you’re travelling on a Megabus bus to Manchester from Birmingham, onboard facilities ensure your journey is smooth and comfortable. Passengers can choose your own seat on most routes, whether you prefer the window seat or aisle. Some coaches also offer seats with extra legroom for an additional charge. Wi-Fi is usually available and many coaches have charging points at each seat, so you can charge your devices on the go. All buses are air-conditioned for extra comfort and toilet facilities are available on board for your convenience. Travellers with National Express can enjoy the same services, while relaxing in leather seats on your bus from Birmingham to Manchester.

Megabus offers a ticketless service and passengers will receive a booking conformation by email with a booking number. You will need to present the booking number on your phone to the driver before you board. We recommend that passengers make a note of their booking number or print a copy of the confirmation email just in case. Try and arrive at the departure point around 20 minutes before your bus is scheduled to depart. Passengers travelling on National Express buses should arrive at the boarding point at least 10 minutes before departure and present your valid ticket and reservation number before boarding your bus to Manchester from Birmingham.

It takes 1h 40m to get from Birmingham to Manchester by bus. National Express has the quickest available bus to your destination.

Some of the buses offering service from Birmingham to Manchester include FlixBus, Megabus, and National Express. FlixBus has recently been found to be the cheapest option available at £12 round-trip.

The distance between Birmingham and Manchester is about 70.4 mi in a straight line. The bus journey is around 1h 40m long.

At 1h 40m, choosing to opt for a bus from Birmingham to Manchester for this trip as opposed to a flight from Birmingham to Manchester or a train from Birmingham to Manchester can save you time on travel.

A bus from Birmingham to Manchester is currently going to be the least expensive option currently available. You can also find deals for a flight from Birmingham to Manchester starting at £116, or consider a train from Birmingham to Manchester starting at £31. Both of these alternative options are worth considering when looking to reach your destination.