THE SHORT VERSION
Manchester to Edinburgh at a glance.
- From
- Manchester
- To
- 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
- Edinburgh to Manchester →
Ready to travel from Manchester to Edinburgh?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Manchester
Manchester is the main coach hub for the north of England, with frequent services to London, Birmingham, Scotland and Liverpool. National Express and FlixBus/Megabus use different stations in the city centre.
- 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.
Arriving in Edinburgh
The bus station is a short walk from Princes Street and Waverley station; trams stop on St Andrew Square.
- Edinburgh Bus Station
St Andrew Square, very central. Citylink, National Express, Megabus and other long-distance services.
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.
- Some services also call at Edinburgh Airport, which can be a handy place to change.
KEEP GOING
From Edinburgh, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Edinburgh
More buses from Manchester
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Manchester from Edinburgh 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 Manchester to Edinburgh 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 Manchester?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Manchester include Chorlton Street Coach Station, Shudehill Interchange, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Edinburgh to Manchester?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Edinburgh to Manchester guide.
Where does the bus from Manchester arrive in Edinburgh?+
It depends on the operator. In Edinburgh, services use Edinburgh Bus Station. The bus station is a short walk from Princes Street and Waverley station; trams stop on St Andrew Square.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Edinburgh?+
The bus station is a short walk from Princes Street and Waverley station; trams stop on St Andrew Square.
What kind of bus runs from Manchester to Edinburgh?+
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 Manchester to Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh by bus?+
Direct buses from Edinburgh include Greater London, Kinross, Stirling, Glasgow, Dundee and more. See all connections on our Edinburgh bus page.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Manchester → Edinburgh 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: Manchester to Edinburgh bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Manchester (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Edinburgh (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →