The cheapest and fastest trains from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Cheapest price on 05 Sept
£257
Average ticket price on 05 Sept
£273
Fastest journey on 05 Sept
4 h 1 m
Average journey duration on 05 Sept
4 h 2 m
Trains on 05 Sept
19
Distance
319 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) will cost around £273 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £257.
On Sat 05 Sept, we found 19 trains from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN), including 2 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 319 km distance in an average of 4 h 2 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 1 m .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 2 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.
7:334h26Exeter Central (EXC)11:59Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)£2571One-way1 change
10:534h06Exeter Central (EXC)14:59Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)£2621One-way0 changes
14:524h07Exeter Central (EXC)18:59Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)£2621One-way0 changes
6:274h02Exeter Central (EXC)10:29Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)£2751One-way1 change
7:274h02Exeter Central (EXC)11:29Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)£2751One-way1 change
18:284h01Exeter Central (EXC)22:29Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)£2751One-way1 change
6:274h02Exeter Central (EXC)10:29Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)£2751One-way1 change
7:274h02Exeter Central (EXC)11:29Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)£2751One-way1 change
8:274h02Exeter Central (EXC)12:29Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)£2751One-way1 change
9:274h02Exeter Central (EXC)13:29Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)£2751One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £17 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 coach costs an average of £17, while a flight costs an average of £81.
Distance: 319 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£51 Average Price | £17 Average Price Cheapest | £81 Average Price | £64 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 57m Average total duration 4h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 22m Average total duration 6h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 50m Average total duration Fastest 50m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 14m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN):
A coach is £33 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) costing on average £51.
A coach is £63 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) costing on average £81.
Other travel options to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 27m.
Coach takes on average 6h 52m.
Tickets start at around £51 compared to roughly £64 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £14. The journey takes 4h 27m versus 4h 14m 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.
Direct services run with Cross Country.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Live departures
Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) train times
The table below shows live departures for Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) trains for today, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:27 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h02 | 13:29 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 10:27 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h02 | 14:29 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 10:56 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h03 | 14:59 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 10:56 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h03 | 14:59 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 11:27 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h02 | 15:29 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 12:27 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h02 | 16:29 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 13:27 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h02 | 17:29 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 14:27 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h02 | 18:29 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 15:23 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h36 | 19:59 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 15:28 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h31 | 19:59 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 16:27 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h02 | 20:29 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 17:27 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h02 | 21:29 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 18:27 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h03 | 22:30 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 19:27 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h46 | 0:13 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 21:14 Exeter Central (EXC) | 10h15 | 7:29 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 22:43 Exeter Central (EXC) | 11h16 | 9:59 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
| Saturday 5 September | |||||
![]() | 6:27 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h02 | 10:29 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 7:27 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h02 | 11:29 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 7:33 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h26 | 11:59 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
![]() | 8:27 Exeter Central (EXC) | 4h02 | 12:29 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 change | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) by train, coach or flight
Compare train, coach 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.
05 Sept
06 Sept
07 Sept
08 Sept
09 Sept
10 Sept
11 Sept
Why should you book Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs CrossCountry?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for CrossCountry, but also compare tickets for the likes of Transport for Wales, Cross Country or Great Western Railway (GWR) to find the best option for your trip from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare CrossCountry with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Transport for Wales, Cross Country or Great Western Railway (GWR) to find the best option for your trip from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
Journey information
Overview: Train from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Trains from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) run on average 8 times per day, taking around 4h 27m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £51 but you can travel from only £17 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 09:40, the last at 09:40. The fastest train covers the 319 km distance in 5h 33m.
Distance 319 km |
Average train duration 4h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price £51 |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 5h 33m |
First train 9:40 |
Last train 9:40 |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Train companies: CrossCountry, Transport for Wales, Cross Country, Great Western Railway (GWR) from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) trainsCrossCountry, Transport for Wales, Cross Country, Great Western Railway (GWR) trains will get you between Exeter Central (EXC) and Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) from £17. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
CrossCountry
Transport for Wales
Cross Country
Great Western Railway (GWR)
FAQs: Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) 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 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Exeter Central (EXC) and Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Most Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) trains use the Exeter St Davids to Manchester Piccadilly station pair. Use this guide to compare Exeter Central (EXC) and Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Getting to Exeter Central from Exeter city centre
Exeter Central train station facilities and services
Exeter Central has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at Exeter Central.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at Exeter Central.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Exeter Central.
Luggage and lost property
Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Exeter Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Exeter Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Exeter Central: 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.
Getting to Manchester Piccadilly from Manchester city centre
Manchester Piccadilly 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 and drink
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
Wi-Fi and ATMs
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.
Tickets and information
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 and lost property
Luggage storage is operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Piccadilly: There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly, Premier Inn Manchester City, Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly.
Most popular train connections from Exeter Central (EXC)
More options for your journey from Exeter Central (EXC) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
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