First Class train travel from London to Manchester
Thinking about taking the train up North in style? Whether you're travelling for business or leisure, First Class train travel from London to Manchester is certainly worth it. With a fastest journey time of 2h 3m, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy all the perks that come with First Class train travel.
In this guide to travelling from London to Mancheter in First Class, we'll show you what to expect from start to finish, including the First Class lounge, what to expect onboard and how to buy cheap First Class train tickets with us.
If you’re planning to spend some time in Manchester but not sure how to get there, check out our guide on the best way to travel from London to Manchester
Which train companies offer First Class travel from London to Manchester?
There's only one train company in the UK that offers direct First-Class train travel from London to Manchester.
Avanti West Coast
1 train every hour | 2h 35m avg journey time | Direct
| Departs from | London Euston |
| Arrives into | Manchester Piccadilly |
| First Class lounge | Yes |
| Food and drink | Complimentary |
| Free WiFi | Yes |
The Avanti West Coast First Class experience
Thinking of travelling First Class from London to Manchester with Avanti West Coast? Here's a taste of what you can expect from before you even board to the train to arriving into Manchester Piccadilly just 2h 3m later.
Before you travel: Avanti West Coast's First Class lounge
If you’re travelling First Class with Avanti West Coast from London to Manchester, we recommend relaxing in style in their First Class lounge before you travel.
Not sure where the lounge is inside Euston? You'll find the entrance upstairs by the food court.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 06:45-23:00, Sat 07:00-21:30, Sun 08:00-23:00.
Please note that from 1st September 2023, the First Class Lounge will close at 22:00 between Sunday and Friday. Saturday closing time remains unchanged.
Entry time: 1h before departure
Valid ticket types: First Class Season tickets, Anytime tickets and Family tickets
What’s inside?
- Comfortable designer seating. Much comfier than the benches you'll find on the main concourse.
- Complimentary hot and cold drinks and snacks. Because who doesn't love free food and drink?
- Complimentary newspapers. A bit of light reading before your trip.
- TVs showing BBC News. If readings not your thing, keep up-to-date with current affairs on TV.
- Free WiFi. Scroll the internet or social media all you'd like.
- Desk space. Perfect for if you need to get a bit of work done before your journey.
- Toilets. No need to queue here.
On the train: What to expect from Avanti West Coast First Class
Where are they on the train?
Depending on the type or length of train you’re travelling on, you’ll find the First Class coaches are either in D, E, G, H, J, K, or L. You'll see a First Class label by the door.
How are the seats arranged?
You can either sit at a table of 4 or 2 seats next to each other - the same as Standard Class - however, First Class also comes with the extra option of single seats with their own table, perfect if you're travelling alone and like your own space. There are less seats in First Class than Standard on Avanti West Coast trains, so it feels much more spacious.
What extra benefits do First Class carriages offer over Standard Class?
Extra benefits of First Class carriages on Avanti West Coast trains include:
- Reclining seats
- Extra leg and elbow room compared to Standard seats
- Free onboard entertainment
- Free WiFi
- Complimentary food and drink
- Access to power sockets at every seat
What's the complimentary food and drink like?
Avanti West Coast have also restarted their at-seat trolley service, so there's no need to go hunting for the onboard cafe. Let the free food and drink come to you! The First Class menu may change depending on when you're travelling, but you can get an idea of what to expect below.
Sample menu only. Actual menu available on the train
Breakfast (served until 10:00): Full English, bacon roll, fresh fruit salad, ham and cheese croissant
The rest of the day (served 10:00–22:00): Sausage roll, smoked ham and egg sandwich, coronation chickpea salad, cheese & crackers
Snacks: Crisps and sweet treats
Drinks: hot drinks, still and sparkling water, orange juice, alcoholic drinks during the weekend
Find out more in our guide to travelling Avanti West Coast First Class.
Book First Class tickets from London to Manchester with Avanti West Coast
Ready to book and enjoy the First Class experience? Start a search in our Journey Planner today!
Arriving at Manchester Piccadilly
Once you arrive into Manchester Piccadilly station, you'll find yourself in the thick of the action, just hop on the free Metroshuttle bus service to start exploring the city. The station itself dates back to 1842, but in 2002 the station underwent a five-year, £100m refurbishment. Inside you'll find bars, cafes and shops if you need to stock up on anything before you head into the city.
Avanti West Coast also have a First Class lounge at Manchester Piccadilly, with the same amenities as London Euston, which you can find above the information point on the main concourse.
How to buy cheap First Class train tickets from London to Manchester
There are a number of ways you can get cheap First Class train tickets from London to Manchester, without paying over the odds. Our top tips for saving money on First Class train tickets are:
Travel off-peak
Tickets for travel during Off-Peak hours (anytime outside of Monday – Friday rush hours) are normally cheaper, plus the trains are usually quieter too.
Book in advance
Avanti West Coast release Advance tickets up to 12 weeks before the departure date, usually at their cheapest price. So, if you can, planning ahead is a great way to save.
Use a Railcard
There are several Railcards in UK you can use to save up to 1/3 on First Class train tickets. Check out which one you might be eligible for and buy online on our Railcards page.
Search for split tickets
‘Splitting’ your journey into several sections and buying tickets for each part can sometimes be cheaper than buying a single ticket on longer journeys. Our ticket-splitting app feature, SplitSave, does the hard part for you.
So, what are you waiting for?
Start a search for First Class train tickets from London to Manchester in our Journey Planner at the top of the page – you won’t regret it!
Want to find out more about First Class train travel?
London to Manchester isn't the only First Class train travel guide we've got for you. Why not check out some of the other popular routes and train companies in the UK and Europe offering amazing First Class train travel.