How can I travel from Manchester to Edinburgh without a car?

You can travel between these two cities by bus or train. The two options are easy and sustainable ways to reach Edinburgh. Another option is using carpool services and riding with fellow travelers.

How long does it take to get to Edinburgh from Manchester by bus?

The average travel time from Manchester to Edinburgh is about 8h, but the fastest bus can get you there in about 5h 53m. This is the time it takes to travel the 175 miles (282 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the travel distance from Manchester to Edinburgh?

The distance between the two cities is 175 miles (282 km).

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Manchester to Edinburgh?

The majority of buses traveling from Manchester to Edinburgh start their journey at Shudehill and wind up at Bus Station. These are the primary departure and arrival locations on this route, but you could find others that could be a better fit for your travel plans.

What is the most affordable way to travel from Manchester to Edinburgh?

Go for the bus if you want the most economical way to travel this route. With prices starting at $18, you won't find a more affordable way to get there.

How much are the bus tickets from Manchester to Edinburgh?

The average bus ticket price from Manchester to Edinburgh is $37. In the past 30 days, prices have fluctuated between $18 and $82, so it's best to compare them to make sure you get the best deal.

What are the best sights and things to do in Edinburgh?

Once in Edinburgh, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Mountain Biking, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle, Old Town and Arthur's Seat.

Manchester to Edinburgh Bus Tickets

TodayMay 28

from $56

TomorrowMay 29

from $40

FriMay 30

from $46

SatMay 31

from $46

SunJun 1

from $48

MonJun 2

from $34

TueJun 3

from $25

WedJun 4

from $26

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: May 29 at 7:50am
Departure city: Manchester
Departure location: Shudehill
Arrival time: May 29 at 5:35pm
Destination city: Edinburgh
Destination location: Bus Station
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 9h 45m
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: May 29 at 1:50pm
Departure city: Manchester
Departure location: Shudehill
Arrival time: May 29 at 9:21pm
Destination city: Edinburgh
Destination location: Bus Station
Operated by: Megabus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 7h 31m
Departure time: May 29 at 1:50pm
Departure city: Manchester
Departure location: Shudehill
Arrival time: May 29 at 9:21pm
Destination city: Edinburgh
Destination location: Bus Station
Operated by: Megabus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 7h 31m
Departure time: May 29 at 11:50am
Departure city: Manchester
Departure location: Shudehill
Arrival time: May 29 at 9:35pm
Destination city: Edinburgh
Destination location: Bus Station
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 9h 45m
Departure time: May 29 at 3:30pm
Departure city: Manchester
Departure location: Shudehill
Arrival time: May 29 at 11:25pm
Destination city: Edinburgh
Destination location: 114233
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 7h 55m

Accepted payments

Compare 3 ways to go from Manchester to Edinburgh.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$18 - $82	Average Duration8h	CO₂ emissions 7kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestMost eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$36 - $191	Average Duration3h 14m	CO₂ emissions 7kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	Fastest
Carpool	Average Price$26 - $63	Average Duration4h 10m	CO₂ emissions 12kg CO₂e4 out of 5 stars

Busbud recommends taking the train from Manchester to Edinburgh

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as the good way to reach Edinburgh. The journey takes about 3 hours 14 minutes and with fares starting at just $36, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

19train per day

3h 14mAverage Duration

$36Cheapest ticket

7kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Manchester to Edinburgh: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$37

Average bus trip duration8h

Number of daily buses14

Earliest bus departure12:45am

Distance175 miles (281 km)

Latest bus departure11:59pm

Compare bus companies

National Express

4/529,206 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.7

Wifi3.4

According to 18 reviews, National Express received a 4.2-star rating for this journey. Travelers were especially satisfied with the staff and the timeliness, but some complained about the power outlets. National Express ticket prices on this trip start at $22.00

National Express Manchester Edinburgh recent customer reviews

I was happy with National Express just on the return back to Manchester we was on lot longer made the journey to about 7.30hrs apart from that I would book again

Diane Y.

August 6, 2018

It was suppose to be a direct bus but the driver instructed everyone to move to a DriverLine bus at Glasgow. Later bus was normal bus which stopped at several places. As a result we were delayed by an hour and I missed my connecting bus.

Kuldeep P.

February 20, 2018

Very good

Esteban C.

April 30, 2024

FlixBus

3.5/58,801 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

Megabus UK

3.5/54,166 reviews

Staff4.4

Timeliness3.3

Cleanliness4.3

Wifi2.6

Infobus

4/5469 reviews

Staff4.8

Timeliness4.6

Cleanliness4.8

Wifi3.8

GB bus companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, National Express, Sindbad, RegioJet, KLR Bus, FlixTrain

Manchester to Edinburgh Bus

With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a bus from Manchester to Edinburgh is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of bus fares and bus schedules to find the best deals.

Bus service from Manchester to Edinburgh will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.

From cheap bus tickets to more luxurious buses traveling from Manchester to Edinburgh, we offer a wide range of bus services to best suit your needs depending on how much your budget is.

Where are the popular stops in Manchester and Edinburgh?

Stops in Manchester

A - Shudehill

B - Coach Station

C - Manchester Airport

D - 56 Great Bridgewater St

E - City of Manchester Stadium

F - Manchester Coach Station

Stops in Edinburgh

A - Bus Station

B - Edinburgh Airport

C - Haymarket

D - 23 The Mound

E - Princes Street

F - St. Andrew Square

Frequently asked questions for your trip Manchester - Edinburgh

How can I travel from Manchester to Edinburgh without a car?
How long does it take to get to Edinburgh from Manchester by bus?
What is the travel distance from Manchester to Edinburgh?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Manchester to Edinburgh?
What is the most affordable way to travel from Manchester to Edinburgh?
How much are the bus tickets from Manchester to Edinburgh?
What are the best sights and things to do in Edinburgh?

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

05/26

$49

05/27

$76

Today

$41

05/29

$36

05/30

$43

05/31

$43

06/01

$45

06/02

$31

The cheapest trip from Manchester to Edinburgh was searched and found on Jun 2, 2025 with a price of $31

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Manchester to Edinburgh, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $31 to $76 for a bus ticket from Manchester to Edinburgh based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $31 which is on 2025-06-02.

Usually MEGB will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while traveling from Manchester to Edinburgh.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Manchester to Edinburgh, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

Taking the bus creates the smallest carbon footprint compared to other modes of transport. Not to mention that buses will allow you to discover scenic gems from Manchester to Edinburgh that are otherwise impossible to come by with a plane.

Tune out to the fine sounds of your best music playlist on your bus trip from Manchester to Edinburgh while indulging in miles on end of beautiful scenic views.

Did you know?

One of the longest bus route in the world goes all the way from Ontario to Alberta in Canada (with the same bus). This trip is 3,435 km or 2,135 miles long and the price is a bit under $100.

The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!

The bus driver with the longest career in the world drove more than 2,000,000 miles and is a happy World Record holder.

Will you be returning to Manchester by bus?

Bus from Manchester to Edinburgh

You can also go to Edinburgh by train

Train from Manchester to Edinburgh

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud makes bus travel easy. We help travelers find a bus, plot routes, and book intercity bus tickets all over the world. With several language and currency options available, Busbud seeks to cater to international bus travelers no matter where they are in the world. Busbud partners with safe and reliable bus companies throughout the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others so you can buy tickets without a worry.

One passenger / one way

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

Compare 3 ways to go from Manchester to Edinburgh.

Bus Manchester to Edinburgh: Trip Overview

Compare bus companies

Manchester to Edinburgh Bus

Where are the popular stops in Manchester and Edinburgh?

Frequently asked questions for your trip Manchester - Edinburgh

How can I travel from Manchester to Edinburgh without a car?

How long does it take to get to Edinburgh from Manchester by bus?

What is the travel distance from Manchester to Edinburgh?

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Manchester to Edinburgh?

What is the most affordable way to travel from Manchester to Edinburgh?

How much are the bus tickets from Manchester to Edinburgh?

What are the best sights and things to do in Edinburgh?

Find cheapest prices for buses

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Did you know?

Will you be returning to Manchester by bus?

You can also go to Edinburgh by train

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

People from around the world trust Busbud

Popular Buses Connecting Manchester

Buses Leaving from Manchester

Buses Going to Manchester

Popular Buses Connecting Edinburgh

Buses Leaving from Edinburgh

Buses Going to Edinburgh

Popular routes in this country

Popular airport transfers

Popular international trips