Bus from Bolton (Greater Manchester) to Manchester City Centre
5 direct routes · about 73 min · first bus 03:50, last bus 00:46 (weekdays).
Next buses to Manchester City Centre as of 11:17
Scheduled times at the boarding stop in Bolton, from the operators' timetables — they update automatically. Open the stop for live tracking.
Direct routes
| Route | Operator | Journey time | Weekday journeys | Days | First | Last | Board at | Get off at | Calls at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Bee Network | ~73 min | 80 | Sat 69 · Sun 41 | 04:15 | 23:00 | Shiffnall Street (nr) | Shudehill Interchange (Stand A) | Farnworth & Salford |
| 36 | Bee Network | ~79 min | 76 | Sat 62 · Sun 43 | 03:50 | 00:46 | Crook Street (cnr) | St James Square (Stop WB) | Great Lever, Farnworth, Salford, Little Hulton, Salford, Walkden & 4 more |
| 37 | Bee Network | ~68 min | 70 | Sat 53 · Sun 37 | 05:34 | 22:40 | Shiffnall Street (nr) | St James Square (Stop WB) | Farnworth, Walkden, Salford, Walkden, Swinton, Salford & 2 more |
2 occasional services — once or twice a day · 424, 540
Often school, college or market-day journeys — check the route before relying on one.
| Route | Operator | Journey time | Weekday journeys | Days | First | Last | Board at | Get off at | Calls at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 424 | National Express | ~40 min | 2 | Sat 2 · Sun 2 | 23:15 | 23:15 | Bolton Interchange (Stand G) | Manchester Central Coach Station | — |
| 540 | National Express | ~55 min | 1 | Sat 2 · Sun 2 | 10:35 | 10:35 | Bolton Interchange (Stand G) | Manchester Central Coach Station | — |
Times are for the first boarding point in Bolton on each route's weekday timetable — open the route for the full timetable, live map and every stop.
The same number runs elsewhere in the UK — see every 8 bus, 36 bus, 37 bus, 424 bus or 540 bus timetable.
Frequently asked questions
Which bus goes from Bolton to Manchester City Centre?
5 routes run directly from Bolton to Manchester City Centre: the 8 (Bee Network), the 36 (Bee Network), the 37 (Bee Network), the 424 (National Express), the 540 (National Express). The most frequent is the 8, 80 times each weekday — board at Shiffnall Street (nr) and get off at Shudehill Interchange (Stand A), about 73 minutes.
How long does the bus take from Bolton to Manchester City Centre?
Around 73 minutes on the 8, depending on time of day and traffic. It calls at Farnworth, Salford on the way.
What time is the first and last bus from Bolton to Manchester City Centre?
On weekdays the first direct bus leaves around 03:50 and the last around 00:46. Check the route timetables for weekends.
How much is the bus from Bolton to Manchester City Centre?
Most single fares in England are capped at £3 until 31 December 2026, then £2 from 1 January 2027.