The cheapest and fastest trains from Manchester to Exeter
Cheapest price
€82
Average price
€83
Fastest journey
4 h 19 m
Average duration
4 h 42 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
319 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Exeter is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Exeter will cost around €83 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €82.
Of the 5 trains that leave Manchester for Exeter on Mon, Dec 08, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Dec 08 the direct trains cover the 319 km distance in an average of 4 h 42 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 19 m .
On Mon, Dec 08 the slowest trains will take 5 h 17 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.










Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Manchester to Exeter
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Exeter among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €15. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 4m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €15, and a flight costs an average of €77.
Distance: 198 miles (319 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€91 Average price | €35 Average price Cheapest | €92 Average price |
5h 25m Average total duration 4h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 26m Average total duration 6h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 4m Average total duration Fastest 1h 4m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Manchester to Exeter train times
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Exeter trains for today, Sunday, December 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:03 PM Manchester | 4h15 | 4:18 PM Exeter | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, December 8 | |||||
![]() | 6:30 AM Manchester | 6h01 | 12:31 PM Exeter | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:03 AM Manchester | 4h22 | 11:25 AM Exeter | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:30 AM Manchester | 5h14 | 12:44 PM Exeter | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:25 AM Manchester | 4h19 | 2:44 PM Exeter | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Manchester to Exeter by train or bus
Compare train and bus 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.
Dec 08
Dec 09
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
Dec 14
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Manchester to Exeter?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Manchester to Exeter
Trains from Manchester to Exeter run on average 15 times per day, taking around 4h 55m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $50 (€40) but you can travel from only $19 (€15) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:42, the last at 23:09. The fastest train covers the 198 miles (319 km) distance in 4h 18m.
Distance 198 miles (319 km) |
Average train duration 4h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price $50 (€40) |
Trains per day 15 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 4h 18m |
First train 00:42 |
Last train 23:09 |
Train companies: CrossCountry, Transport for Wales, Great Western Rail, Cross Country, Avanti West Coast from Manchester to Exeter trainsCrossCountry, Transport for Wales, Great Western Rail, Cross Country, Avanti West Coast trains will get you between Manchester and Exeter from $19 (€15). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
CrossCountry
Transport for Wales
Great Western Rail
Avanti West Coast
Cross Country
FAQs: Trains from Manchester to Exeter
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Exeter 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 Exeter, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Manchester to Exeter
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:20 - 23:40 Sunday 08:10 - 23:30
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category A station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station From Whitworth Street, up a ramp (43 paces, 1:25 slope) and level access through the entrance into the foyer. Or from the junction of Chester Road, Whitworth Street and Deansgate, level access through the entrance, along the corridor and up 21 steps into the foyer. Then, to Manchester: Past the ticket office, via the lift in the foyer. Or up a ramp (34 paces), up 17 steps onto the platform. To Bolton, Warrington and Wigan : Via the lift in the foyer or along the subway (26 paces), up a ramp (32 paces) and up 18 steps onto the platform. Level access to Manchester platform also via overbridge from Metrolink G-Mex Metrolink stop. Lift available first to last train, currently 06:20 - 23:40 Monday to Saturday. 08:10 - 23:30 Sunday.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Onward travel information: Free Metro shuttle bus link from station front serving Manchester City centre including Victoria Station On both sides of Whitworth Street, Deansgate and Chester Road for buses to Piccadilly Gardens, Altrincham or Sale. Contact Busline 0871 200 2233
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at bus stops on Whitworth St.
- Metro: Metrolink G-Mex tram stop linked by footbridge from Manchester platform. 0161 228 7811
- Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 06:30 - 22:30
- Type of shops available: Passport Photo Booth
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: re Step free access is provided from the Ground Transport Interchange to all platforms via lifts or ramps. This station is staffed for all services. This station is Category A. Station staff can provide assistance from Meeting Point 1 (adjacent to the Station Booking Office) and throughout the railway station, and with boarding and alighting the train. Customers requiring assistance should make themselves known to station staff no less than 20 minutes prior to the departure time of their train. Customers requiring assistance to access other services or to connect with terminals should request this from their airline or Manchester Airport Group. Assistance can be requested in advance by contacting the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay). Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge.
- Accessible public telephones: In the station cafe on platforms 2 and 3
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts. The Ladies toilets are located at the end of Platform 3. The Gents toilets are located at the end of Platform 2. The National key toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts, at the end of Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The National key toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts, at the end of Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: No cycle storage
- Storage CCTV: No
- Information available from staff: ,Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0800 107 2149
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Rail Replacement bus services depart from stands L & M of the adjacent Bus Station which is situated close to the ticket office.
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:30 - 22:40 Sunday 07:30 - 22:00
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Category B Station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station - There are two lifts at the Piccadilly end of platform 4 and 2/3 which connect the concourse area platform 4 and 5 with 2/3. Note: there is no lift access to platform 1 at all
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: There will be no toilet provision at Manchester Oxford Road from 15th July to 25th July to allow for existing toilets to be refurbished
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: on Platform 4/5
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at the bus stops on Whitworth St West (200 yards from station) (station side for Liverpool, opposite side for Piccadilly)
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 07:50 - 18:15 Saturday 07:50 - 18:15 Sunday 09:30 - 16:30
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Taxi: Yes
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Step free Category A station - Both platforms can be accessed via lifts from the main station entrance
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 2. The National key toilets are operated by a RADAR key. The RADAR key is available from station staff upon request.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The radar key is available from station staff.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Both platforms
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Bus stop at the front of the station on Queens Street
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:45 - 20:40 Saturday 06:15 - 20:00 Sunday 07:30 - 20:40 Reservations and tickets requiring reservations are sold at the following times only: Weekdays (Mon-Fri) 08:45 - 19:40, Saturday 08:45 - 18:30 Sunday 10:00 - 17:30
- Type of shops available: WHSmith
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Step free Category A station - All platforms can be accessed via Lifts from the sole main station entrance. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station.
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station
- Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Accessible ticket machines are located at the station entrance by the ticket office.
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platforms 1 and 5. The National key toilets are operated by a RADAR key. The RADAR key is available from station staff upon request.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The radar key is available from station staff.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Platform 1 and adjacent entrance
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Front of the station
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Step free Category C Station - This station does not have step free access to any platform. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station.
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are not available
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: Bottom of stairs leading to platform 1.
- Storage CCTV: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: To Exeter St Davids: Cowick Street bus stop by shopping precint. To Newton Abbot: Cowick Street bus stop outside the station
Most popular train connections from Manchester
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