- Must visit
Axminster Carpets Heritage Centre
Working carpet museum and factory tours celebrating the town’s world-famous weaving tradition. The essential museum experience in Axminster.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
€220
Average ticket price on Sep 20
€220
Fastest journey on Sep 20
5 h 59 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
6 h 28 m
Trains on Sep 20
4
Distance
304 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Axminster is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Axminster will cost around €220 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €220.
It's difficult to get from Manchester to Axminster without transferring at least once.
G01026+
L79430
W29883+
L79419+
W35018
G01029+
L79440
G01023+
L79419
W29883+
L79419+
W35018
G01029+
L79440
G01023+
L79419
G01026+
L79430Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Axminster among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €34 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 2h 50m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €34, while a flight costs an average of €253.
Distance: 188 miles (304 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€203 Average price | €34 Average price Cheapest | €253 Average price | €68 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 45m Average total duration 5h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 29m Average total duration 4h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 50m Average total duration Fastest 50m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 21m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Axminster:
A bus is €169 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Axminster costing on average €203.
A bus is €218 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Axminster costing on average €253.
Other travel options to Axminster take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 59m.
Train takes on average 5h 15m.
Tickets start at around €203 compared to roughly €68 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €-135.17. The journey takes 5h 15m versus 4h 21m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Axminster trains for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W29876+ L79407+ C42265 | On time 12:03 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 6h10 | 6:13 PM Axminster station (AXM) | 2 transfers | |
G01025+ L79429 | On time 1:25 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 6h48 | 8:13 PM Axminster station (AXM) | 1 transfer | |
G01025 · W29885+ L79477 | On time 1:25 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 5h19 | 6:44 PM Axminster station (AXM) | 2 transfers | |
G01149+ L79494 | On time 2:03 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 6h41 | 8:44 PM Axminster station (AXM) | 1 transfer | |
G01149+ C42269+ L79429 | On time 2:03 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 6h10 | 8:13 PM Axminster station (AXM) | 2 transfers |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Manchester to Axminster run on average 6 times per day, taking around 5h 15m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €150 but you can travel from only €34 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 05:50, the last at 18:25. The fastest train covers the 188 miles (304 km) distance in 4h 50m.
Distance 188 miles (304 km) |
Average train duration 5h 15m |
Cheapest ticket price €150 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 4h 50m |
First train 5:50 AM |
Last train 6:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Axminster — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Axminster trip today.
Working carpet museum and factory tours celebrating the town’s world-famous weaving tradition. The essential museum experience in Axminster.
Local heritage museum covering Axminster’s history, industries, and people. A practical first stop for understanding the town.
Museum of the county regiment with uniforms, medals, and military stories. Strongly curated displays make it a rewarding regional visit.
Beautiful National Trust walking area of undercliff woodland and coast. One of the region’s most memorable scenic routes.
Main shopping street lined with historic buildings and independent businesses. Best place to feel the character of central Axminster.
Large country park with woodland, meadows, and river views. Excellent for easy walks, wildlife watching, and family outings.
A traditional West Country hard cheese made in nearby Dorset. It is one of the area’s best-known foods, valued for its crumbly texture and rich, tangy flavour.
Hand-raised pork pie from neighbouring Melbury Osmond in Dorset. It is a regional favourite known for seasoned pork, crisp pastry and a long rural market tradition.
A classic Devon cream tea of scones, jam and clotted cream. It is deeply tied to local tea rooms and a signature treat across East Devon.
Celebrated country-house restaurant near Axminster serving refined modern British tasting menus in an elegant historic setting.
Well-known inn and seafood venue in Lyme Regis, popular for fresh local fish, shellfish and a relaxed coastal pub atmosphere.
Friendly Axminster restaurant known for Italian dishes, pizzas and pasta, with a casual town-centre atmosphere and strong local following.
Moderate for a small English town: dining and lodging are reasonable, but rail travel and peak-season stays can raise costs versus similar rural UK destinations.
Service is often included only in larger restaurants. If not, 10-12.5% is standard for good service. Round up taxi fares; cafe tipping is optional.
Official public transport app
Axminster Railway Station -> Axminster Town Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Axminster by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Axminster, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Axminster trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Axminster station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Axminster train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Manchester Piccadilly has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, Caffè Nero, Carluccio’s, Hotel Chocolat, Starbucks, The Pasty Shop, Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, Upper Crust, McDonald's, & more
Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi. ATMs are there are ATM machines on the main concourse, Platform 10 and on the mezzanine level.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30, Sun: 07:00 - 22:30. Information desks are located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
Luggage storage is operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Piccadilly: There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly, Premier Inn Manchester City, Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly.
Axminster has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Axminster.
Wi-Fi is available at Axminster.
Ticket office support is available at Axminster.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Axminster: Parking, WC.
Available at Axminster: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Axminster: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category A Station. Level access to Platform 1 (for trains towards Exeter). Lifts to Platform 2 (for trains towards London, Accessible taxis: Need to pre-book, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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