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Watford to Manchester Train prices and times

Use Trip.com to buy tickets from Watford to Manchester, starting from $8.11 and averaging $49.88. The entire journey takes no more than 2h 3m. If you want to get a greater discounts, consider purchasing split tickets. Additionally, buying in advance is also good choice.

  • Fri, Jul 11
  • Sat, Jul 12
    From $8.11
  • Sun, Jul 13
    From $16.21
  • Mon, Jul 14
    From $16.21
  • Tue, Jul 15
    From $8.11
  • Wed, Jul 16
    From $16.21
  • Thu, Jul 17
    From $16.21
DepartureArrivalDurationOperator
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01:00
Watford Junction
07:43
Manchester Piccadilly
6h 43m, Changes requiredWest Midlands TrainsAvanti West Coast
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05:48
Watford Junction
08:25
Manchester Piccadilly
2h 37m, Changes requiredAvanti West Coast
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05:55
Watford Junction
10:40
Manchester Piccadilly
4h 45m, Changes requiredWest Midlands TrainsNorthern
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06:31
Watford Junction
08:45
Manchester Piccadilly
2h 14m, Changes requiredAvanti West Coast
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07:01
Watford Junction
09:05
Manchester Piccadilly
2h 4m, DirectAvanti West Coast
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07:31
Watford Junction
10:05
Paris
2h 34m, Changes requiredAvanti West Coast
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Watford to Manchester Train Route Details

First train
First train
01:00
Last train
Last train
23:17
Departure station
Departure station
Watford
Arrival station
Arrival station
Manchester
Journey time
Journey time
2h 3m
Distance
Distance
148 miles
Price
Price
$8.11*
Train operators
Train operators
Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern

How to book cheap train tickets from Watford to Manchester

Traveling in off-peak train times

Traveling in off-peak train times

Off-Peak train tickets are generally cheaper than peak-time tickets, allowing travel outside morning (6:30 AM–9:30 AM) and evening (4:00 PM–7:00 PM) rush hours on weekdays. If your schedule allows for flexibility, choosing off-peak times for your trip from Watford to Manchester can result in significant cost savings.
Get 1/3 off with a Railcard

Get 1/3 off with a Railcard

You can choose a Railcard to help you save up to 1/3 on fares from Watford to Manchester for various reasons, such as your age (including the 16–25 Railcard or Senior Railcard) or options geared towards group travel (Family & Friends Railcard and Two Together Railcard). Discover more here.
Split tickets to save an average extra 30%

Split tickets to save an average extra 30%

Another option to consider is splitting your tickets, which can save you around an extra 30% on fares. Instead of purchasing a direct ticket from Watford to Manchester, you can split the route into two legs: A to C and C to B. This often turns out to be more affordable than buying a direct ticket, and you won't even need to leave the train… or often your seat!
Book in advance to save an average of 61%

Book in advance to save an average of 61%

Advance Tickets are usually released up to 12 weeks before the travel date and can be significantly cheaper than tickets purchased closer to departure. By planning your trip from Watford to Manchester ahead of time and securing your tickets early, you can save up to 61% on the cost of your travel.
Travel in a group to save 1/3

Travel in a group to save 1/3

If you are planning a trip with a group of three to nine people, take advantage of ⅓ off standard fares with group travel discounts, offered by many train companies, perfect for journeys with your family, friends, or colleagues.

Watford to Manchester Train Ticket Types

There are various ticket types available for this route, each with different benefits and restrictions. Explore below to see which ticket type is best suited to your travel needs:

Why Book Train Tickets With Trip.com?

  • Split Tickets

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  • Split Tickets

    Split Tickets

    Save an average of 30% on train fares by splitting your Watford to Manchester journey

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*After comparing the full year of 2023 for SplitTickets and full-price tickets on Trip.com, the average savings rate for SplitTickets is 30%.