Stafford to Manchester Trains From £8.20*

It takes around fifty-five minutes to get from Stafford to Manchester with either Avanti West Coast or CrossCountry.

From Stafford, you’ll travel north up through Staffordshire and Cheshire before arriving in Greater Manchester. You’ll then head straight for Manchester Piccadilly in the heart of the city.

Avanti West Coast primarily operates services along the West Coast Mainline, providing reliable connections between major cities in England, Scotland, and Wales, including Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Liverpool.

Departing from Stafford

Stafford Station is located on Station Road, south west of the town centre beside Victoria Park.

Local taxis can drop you off at the station’s entrance, and local buses can also take you to the station from the town centre. Stafford Station has seventy-five car parking spaces that are operational all week long.

London Northwestern, Avanti West Coast, and CrossCountry all serve Stafford Station, operating services to Manchester, Liverpool Birmingham, Crewe, and London.

Main stops

There are three stations between Stafford and Manchester Piccadilly when travelling with Avanti West Coast. These are: Crewe, Wilmslow, and Stockport

As well there are three stations when travelling with CrossCountry: Stoke-on-Trent, Macclesfield, and Stockport.

These stops may change due to scheduling alterations or engineering work, so checking before you travel is advised.

Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly

Manchester Piccadilly is a great station to arrive at because it’s a great launchpad to enjoy the rest of the city. There are so many cool things to do and plenty of public transport to take you there.

If you need to get to Oxford Road or Victoria Station, you can easily change at Manchester Piccadilly. Outside the station, the city’s tram network, local buses, and taxis take you across the city. All of these options can get you to places like Salford, the Trafford Centre, football grounds like the Etihad Stadium or Old Trafford, or the AO Arena.

If you’d prefer to walk, you’re only a few minutes from Piccadilly Gardens, at the very centre of Manchester. From there, you could walk to the Arndale Centre for some shopping, a bite to eat and a pint in the Northern Quarter or imbibe some culture at Manchester Art Gallery.

Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, Northern, and East Midlands Railway all operate routes from Manchester Piccadilly to destinations such as London Euston, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.

Avanti West Coast train classes

• Standard Class: Avanti West Coast Standard Class offers walk-through carriages, air-conditioning, and charging plugs for your devices.
• First Class: A Stafford to Manchester First Class ticket with Avanti West Coast gives you access to more legroom, reclining seats, free Wi-Fi, complimentary food and drink, and First Class lounge access.

Avanti West Coast train travel advice

• Luggage: Maximum of three items of luggage. This goes up to two larger items and one smaller bag.
• Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small animals can travel for free. Dogs must be on a lead. Other animals must travel in carriers. There is a maximum of two pets per passenger.
• Bicycles: Bikes can be stored free of charge, but space is limited. You must book a space for your bike before you travel.
• Children: Under 5’s can travel for free. Children aged 5 to 15 can benefit from discounted tickets. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
• Passenger Assist: Assist with boarding and alighting trains, book wheelchair space and seating, offer comprehensive rail information, and help with animals or pets.

Traveling from Stafford to Manchester with CrossCountry takes approximately fifty-five minutes, offering a convenient option for reaching the city.

From Stafford, you'll journey north through the scenic counties of Staffordshire and Cheshire, ultimately arriving in Greater Manchester. The route culminates at Manchester Piccadilly, located in the bustling heart of the city.

CrossCountry operates an extensive network across the UK, connecting key cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. Known for its comprehensive service, CrossCountry provides reliable travel options for both regional and long-distance journeys.

CrossCountry train classes

• Standard Class: Onboard Wi-Fi, charging points, and tables. Snacks and drinks are available from the onboard shop.
• First Class: A CrossCountry Stafford to Manchester First Class ticket provides 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 travelling.
• 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.