THE SHORT VERSION
Edinburgh to Manchester at a glance.
- From
- Edinburgh City of Edinburgh
- Road distance
- About 344 km
- Straight line
- 286 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~4 h 30 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Manchester to Edinburgh →
Ready to travel from Edinburgh to Manchester?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Edinburgh
Edinburgh's bus station is in the city centre on St Andrew Square, with coaches across Scotland and to England. Edinburgh Airport has become a secondary hub for some routes.
- Edinburgh Bus Station
St Andrew Square, very central. Citylink, National Express, Megabus and other long-distance services.
Arriving in Manchester
Both stations are in the city centre, within walking distance of Piccadilly and the Northern Quarter.
- Chorlton Street Coach Station
Between Chinatown and the Village. Mainly National Express. - Shudehill Interchange
North of the centre. FlixBus and Megabus services, plus local buses.

Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Check which station your ticket names: the two are about 15 minutes' walk apart.
KEEP GOING
From Manchester, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Manchester
More buses from Edinburgh
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Edinburgh from Manchester by road?+
About 344 km by road (286 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Edinburgh to Manchester take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 4 h 30 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Edinburgh?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Edinburgh include Edinburgh Bus Station, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Manchester to Edinburgh?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Manchester to Edinburgh guide.
Where does the bus from Edinburgh arrive in Manchester?+
It depends on the operator. In Manchester, services use Chorlton Street Coach Station, Shudehill Interchange. Both stations are in the city centre, within walking distance of Piccadilly and the Northern Quarter.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Manchester?+
Both stations are in the city centre, within walking distance of Piccadilly and the Northern Quarter.
What kind of bus runs from Edinburgh to Manchester?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Edinburgh to Manchester bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Manchester by bus?+
Direct buses from Manchester include Greater London, Liverpool, Preston, Blackburn, Burnley and more. See all connections on our Manchester bus page.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Edinburgh → Manchester on 12GoFOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Edinburgh to Manchester bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Edinburgh (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Manchester (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →