TrainlineTrainline is Europe’s leading platform for train and bus tickets

Low prices found by our customers
Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's by train

It takes an average of 4h 19m to travel from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's by train, over a distance of around 198 miles (318 km). There are normally 2 trains per day travelling from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's and tickets for this journey start from £36.20 when you book in advance.

First train

07:03

Last train

14:03

Departure station

Manchester Piccadilly

Arrival station

Exeter St David's

Journey time

From 4h 3m

Distance

198 miles (318 km)

Frequency

2 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £36.20

Train operators

CrossCountry

Travelling from Manchester to Exeter by train

Manchester to Exeter by train gives you a great opportunity to see some fantastic rural sights, taking you from the industrial North to the peaceful South coast. With a direct route served by CrossCountry, you can simply sit back, relax and enjoy the great views. CrossCountry trains all come with a First Class option. There's a buffet car on most trains, if not, then a buffet cart will provide an at-seat service. Most CrossCountry trains on this route come with a Quiet Coach as standard and there's free WiFi in First Class (passengers seated in Standard can pay a small fee for the service).

Manchester to Exeter Route Information

After leaving Manchester Piccadilly, you’ll travel through Stockport and Stoke, before stopping at Birmingham New Street, a major hub for CrossCountry trains. Upon leaving the station, you'll get to enjoy the rolling hills of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, before pulling in at Cheltenham Spa station. A short while later you'll come to Bristol Temple Meads, one of Britain’s largest and most iconic railway stations. The Manchester to Exeter train then enters Somerset, and you begin to feel a long way from Manchester. After passing Taunton, you’ll finally arrive at Exeter. Overall, this is a wonderful journey that takes you through the West Midlands, right up to Devon's capital city.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's take?

The average journey time by train between Manchester Piccadilly and Exeter St David's is 4 hours and 19 minutes, with around 2 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between Manchester Piccadilly and Exeter St David's by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's is 4 hours and 3 minutes.

How much does the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's cost?

Train ticket prices from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's can start from as little as £36.20 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's without having to change trains. There are 2 direct trains from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's leave?

The first train from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's leaves at 07:03. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's leave?

The last train from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's leaves at 14:03. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between Manchester Piccadilly and Exeter St David's by train?

Trains travelling from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's cover a distance of around 198 miles (318 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Exeter St David's to Manchester Piccadilly.

Cheap train tickets from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's

Train tickets from Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's start at £36.20 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Manchester Piccadilly to Exeter St David's is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.
† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

Europe’s leading train and coach app

We help customers across Europe make more than 172,000 smarter journeys every day.