How to get from Leeds Bradford Airport to Manchester

Amy Psycha

Creative Writer & Strategic Copywriter

September 16, 2022

Manchester, a bustling metropolis born out of the industrial revolution, is a modern city just 75 km southwest of Leeds Bradford Airport. With a rich history in science, music, sport, and the arts, it has countless places and activities for travellers to discover. From free museums and libraries to galleries and theatres, and from open parks and gardens to an array of eateries and bars, Manchester has much to offer. The city is also known for its Premier League football team, Manchester United, and the world-famous Old Trafford stadium.

A private transfer from Leeds Bradford Airport to Manchester takes an hour and 20 minutes in light traffic. This is also the only direct way to get from Leeds Bradford to Manchester. To reach your destination quickly and easily, we recommend booking a private transfer or taxi to Manchester from Leeds Bradford Airport. You can also reach Manchester via bus or train, but as there are no direct routes available, you will most likely need to get from the airport to Leeds city centre first to catch a connecting bus or train.

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Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€130	81min	24/7
Bus	€11.86	75min	08:15–18:20
Train	€41.72	70min	05:45–03:33

How to get from Leeds Bradford Airport to Manchester by taxi

The easiest, quickest, and most comfortable way to get from Leeds Bradford to Manchester is by taxi or private transfer. The average trip takes an hour and 20 minutes in light traffic, costing about £130 (€150). Also, a taxi or private car is the only direct route from Leeds Airport to Manchester, as the public transportation options available require catching a connecting bus or train, usually in Leeds or Bradford.

Taxi fare from Leeds Bradford Airport to Manchester

Taxis in Leeds do not use set rates, instead, the fare is calculated by taking into account a number of variables, including the exact destination, trip duration, time of day, and vehicle size. There are two types of taxis you will find in Leeds; the first is an official Hackney carriage that operates with regulated taximeters, and the second is a private car from a local taxi company. As prices can vary depending on the operator, before your transfer begins, we recommend asking your driver for a rough estimate for the trip. It’s also good practice to always double-check that the taximeter has been reset to the initial fare. On average, a transfer from Leeds airport to Manchester takes about an hour and 20 minutes and costs £130 (€150). For your peace of mind, and to secure a competitive set rate, book your private airport transfer in advance.

Cost

£130

Trip Duration

81 Min.

*Prices vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Leeds Bradford Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

Upon arriving at Leeds Bradford Airport, you can find the taxi stands for both drop-offs and pick-ups on the terminal front. There are also touchscreen kiosks located in the International Arrivals hall that you can use to call yourself a taxi.

Convenience

Taking a taxi or private transfer from Leeds Bradford airport is by far the quickest and most convenient way to get to Manchester as it is the only direct route available. Keep in mind that this will also be the case for your return from Manchester to Leeds Bradford airport. With a private transfer, you won’t have to wait for the various buses and trains needed to get to Manchester with public transportation, you will be taken directly to your hotel. For a fast and comfortable transfer from Leeds airport to Manchester that is stress-free and easy, we recommend booking your private transfer in advance.

Editor’s Note

A taxi or private transfer is the only direct transportation option available for getting from Leeds airport to Manchester.

Useful Tips

Leeds taxis generally accept all major credit and debit cards with no additional charge.

As tipping is customary in Leeds, you can tip your driver by adding 10-15% or by rounding up the fare to the nearest pound. 

Remember to double-check that the taximeter has been reset to the initial fare before your transfer begins.

How to get from Leeds Bradford Airport to Manchester by bus

To get from Leeds Bradford Airport to Manchester by bus, you will have to make a change in Leeds. You will need about 35 minutes to get from the airport to Leeds Bus Station, so make sure you take into account traffic or other possible delays to make sure you get there in time for your connection.

How much is the bus from Leeds Bradford Airport to Manchester?

The tickets for a coach from Leeds Bus Station to Manchester start at £3.30 (€3.80), but most of them are priced at £5.14 (€5.93) and some can go up to £7.62 (€8.78). You can buy your tickets online, and we recommend booking them well in advance for a better rate.

Cost

£5.14

Trip Duration

75 Min.

Information about the Leeds-Manchester coach does not include getting to Leeds Bus Station from the airport. Cost and trip duration can vary greatly depending on the train service.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The buses run from 08:15-19:50, depending on the day, and the waiting period ranges from 1 hour and 10 mins to 4 hours.

Where do I get the bus from?

To catch the coach to Manchester, you will first have to get from Leeds Bradford Airport to Leeds city centre and more specifically, to the Leeds City Bus Station.

Convenience

The bus is a very budget-friendly option but it is not without its issues. As there is no direct route to Manchester, so you will first have to get to Leeds Bus Station in the city centre. You will need about 35 minutes to get from the airport to Leeds Bus Station, so make sure you take into account traffic or other delays in order to make sure you get there in time for your connection.

The waiting time between coaches from Leeds to Manchester is usually between 1 hour and 10′ to 1 hour and 35′ but it can go up to 4 hours for the last coach of the day. There are also no late routes, with the last one departing from Leeds at 18:20 or 19:50 depending on the day of the week.

Timetables

Leeds Bus Station to Manchester (Shudehill Interchange)

Megabus

Editor’s Note

There are no direct buses from the airport to Manchester, so allow plenty of time in your itinerary to account for the connection.

Useful Tips

If you will need to get a bus in the afternoon, plan your itinerary carefully, as there are big waiting periods during this time; moreover, the buses do not run till late.

Ticket prices and trip duration can vary between coaches, so check the official website for more information.

There is a 10% discount on most standard tickets for children between the ages of 4 and 14.

How to get from Leeds Bradford to Manchester by train 

Taking a train to Manchester can also be a budget-friendly option, depending on the train service you choose. The price of a single ticket from Leeds Train Station to Manchester Piccadilly can vary greatly depending on the time of day, the specific train service, and how far in advance you book. The duration of the trip can also vary, but most trains will get you to Manchester in about a little over an hour. There are many trains during the day, from the early hours of the morning until about 3 am. However, as there are no direct routes going to Manchester from Leeds Bradford Airport; you’ll have to first get from the airport to Leeds Train Station. This takes at least 40 minutes, so make sure you account for traffic or other delays when planning your trip.

How much is the train from Leeds Bradford Airport to Manchester?

The price of a single ticket from Leeds Train Station to Manchester Piccadilly can vary greatly depending on the time of day, the specific train service, and how far in advance you book. Most tickets range between £5 (€5.76) and £25 (€28.82), with the majority of those priced at £18.10 (€20.86). It’s worth noting that the faster services are usually more expensive and the cheaper tickets tend to go quite fast. For this reason, we recommend booking well in advance if you want to secure a lower fare. You can purchase your tickets online through the official booking platform.

Cost

£18.10

Trip Duration

70 Min.

Information about the Leeds-Manchester train does not include getting to Leeds Train Station from the airport. Cost and trip duration can vary greatly depending on the train service.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

On most days, the trains run from 05:45-03:33, and the waiting period ranges from 15 mins, up to an hour.

Where do I get the train from?

To catch your train to Manchester, you will first have to get from Leeds Bradford Airport to Leeds Train Station.

Convenience

A train can be a budget-friendly option depending on the tickets you choose, and it can be very convenient as there are so many services that run from Leeds to Manchester. However, as there is no direct route to Manchester, you will have to get to Leeds Train Station first to catch your train into Manchester. This trip usually takes at least 40 minutes so make sure you plan for that, as well as any possible delays. The waiting time between trains from Leeds to Manchester is usually around 20′ but if you are planning on catching a late service, you might want to plan around available trains as they are less frequent the later it gets.

Timetables

TransPennine Express

Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly

Editor’s Note

There are no direct trains from the airport to Manchester so give yourself enough time to account for the connection.

Useful Tips

Ticket prices and trip duration can vary greatly between trains, so check the official website for more information.

If you require special assistance on the journey, you can pre-book assistance and find out more about the platform and train accessibility on the official website.

As delays, cancellations, and strikes are increasingly common, make sure you keep your travel plans updated.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How can I get from Leeds Bradford airport to Manchester?

The only direct way to get from Leeds Bradford Airport to Manchester is by taxi or private transfer. The average trip takes an hour and 20 minutes in light traffic, and costs around £130 (€150). You can also get to Manchester by bus or train, but that will require a change at the central station in Leeds.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Leeds Bradford airport to Manchester?

On average, a taxi from Leeds Bradford airport to Manchester costs around £130 (€150) and takes an hour and 20 minutes. However, prices can vary depending on the operator, so if you want to secure a competitive set rate, we recommend booking your private transfer in advance.

Is there a train from Leeds Bradford airport to Manchester?

There is no direct train from Leeds Bradford airport to Manchester. The only direct way to get to Manchester is by taxi or private transfer. All other forms of public transportation require at least one change, usually in a central station, such as the Leeds Train Station.

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How to get from Leeds Bradford Airport to Manchester by taxi

Taxi fare from Leeds Bradford Airport to Manchester

Cost

£130

Trip Duration

81 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Leeds Bradford Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Leeds Bradford Airport to Manchester by bus

How much is the bus from Leeds Bradford Airport to Manchester?

Cost

£5.14

Trip Duration

75 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The buses run from 08:15-19:50, depending on the day, and the waiting period ranges from 1 hour and 10 mins to 4 hours.

Where do I get the bus from?

Convenience

Timetables

Leeds Bus Station to Manchester (Shudehill Interchange)

Megabus

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Leeds Bradford to Manchester by train

How much is the train from Leeds Bradford Airport to Manchester?

Cost

£18.10

Trip Duration

70 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

On most days, the trains run from 05:45-03:33, and the waiting period ranges from 15 mins, up to an hour.

Where do I get the train from?

Convenience

Timetables

TransPennine Express

Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Frequently asked questions

How can I get from Leeds Bradford airport to Manchester?

What’s the cost of a taxi from Leeds Bradford airport to Manchester?

Is there a train from Leeds Bradford airport to Manchester?

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