Manchester to Birmingham Trains From €22.02*

Traveling from Manchester Piccadilly to Birmingham New Street is quick and easy with a direct train run by CrossCountry. With 20 daily departures, you'll have plenty of trains to choose from.

The comfortable 1.5-hour journey takes you through scenic towns and cities while offering convenient connections between major cities across England, Scotland, and Wales, including Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Cardiff.

Check out TrainPal for the best way to buy cheap train tickets and remember to use your Railcard for extra savings.

Departing from Manchester Piccadilly

The fastest route from Manchester to Birmingham departs from Manchester Piccadilly station. The station is conveniently located right in the city's centre, making it a super convenient station from which to leave. It’s only a 25-minute walk from Manchester Victoria Station, a 10-minute walk from Manchester Bus Station, and is connected to Manchester Airport’s shuttle train.

Manchester Piccadilly is managed by Network Rail, and as one of the busiest railway stations in the UK outside of London, a range of train operators run their services from Picadilly, such as Northern Rail, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, and TransPennine Express.

Main stops

The main stops for the Manchester Piccadilly to Birmingham New Street train are Stockport, Macclesfield, Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, and Wolverhampton. However, stops may vary depending on the service. It’s best to check which stations the train passes through before you travel.

Arriving at Birmingham New Street

Birmingham New Street is located directly in the city centre. It is close to Birmingham’s other two central train stations, Birmingham Snow Hill and Birmingham Moor Street, which is good to know if you have ongoing connecting trains.

Major UK train operators, including Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, West Midland Trains, and Transport for Wales, use Birmingham New Street with many trains connecting Birmingham to London Euston station.

There is plenty to do near Birmingham New Street, from a wide range of retail, dining, and nightlife to world-class museums.

CrossCountry train classes

• Standard Class: Onboard Wi-Fi, charging points, and tables. Snacks and drinks are available from the onboard shop.
• First Class: Manchester to Birmingham New Street First Class tickets provide for a more spacious and comfortable journey with larger seats and complimentary refreshments.

CrossCountry train travel advice

• Luggage: A maximum of three items: one small item, one medium-sized bag, and one large suitcase.
• Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small pets are free of charge. They must be well-behaved and do not disturb other passengers. Two pets per passenger.
• Bicycles: Bicycle reservations are required before traveling.
• Children: Children receive cheaper tickets. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
• Passenger Assist: Provide assistance at stations and on trains, or during transfers, help with luggage, offer discounts for disabled passengers, and other services.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.