- Recommended
Barnstaple Museum
Local museum on the square covering North Devon history, archaeology and everyday life in an accessible town-centre setting.
Cheapest price
£50
Average price
£108
Fastest journey
6 h 24 m
Average duration
6 h 43 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
294 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Barnstaple is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Barnstaple will cost around £108 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £50.
Of the 3 trains that leave Manchester for Barnstaple every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 294 km distance in an average of 6 h 43 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 6 h 24 m .
The slowest trains will take 6 h 58 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.






Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Barnstaple among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £42. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 6m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £42, and a flight costs an average of £41.
Distance: 294 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£110 Average Price | £52 Average Price Cheapest | £112 Average Price |
6h 8m Average total duration 5h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 56m Average total duration 7h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 6m Average total duration Fastest 1h 6m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Barnstaple trains for tomorrow, Monday 3 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:03 Manchester | 6h24 | 13:27 Barnstaple | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 10:30 Manchester | 6h58 | 17:28 Barnstaple | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 13:45 Manchester | 6h47 | 20:32 Barnstaple | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Manchester to Barnstaple run on average 6 times per day, taking around 5h 38m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £47 but you can travel from only £41 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 05:11, the last at 18:25. The fastest train covers the 294 km distance in 6h 0m.
Distance 294 km |
Average train duration 5h 38m |
Cheapest ticket price £47 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 6h 0m |
First train 5:11 |
Last train 18:25 |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 56 days |
Discover the best of Barnstaple — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Barnstaple trip today.
Local museum on the square covering North Devon history, archaeology and everyday life in an accessible town-centre setting.
Contemporary art gallery inside The Burton, showing changing exhibitions and craft-focused displays in a central modern venue.
Family-focused heritage attraction with model railways, transport displays and interactive exhibits linked to local engineering history.
Long traffic-free walking and cycling route on a former railway line, linking Barnstaple with estuary scenery and nearby villages.
Riverside park with gardens, play areas and open lawns, popular for relaxed walks beside the River Taw near the town centre.
Historic shopping street with period buildings, independent shops and a strong sense of Barnstaple’s traditional market-town character.
A rich Devon cream tea of scones, clotted cream and jam. In Devon tradition, cream goes on before jam, making it a local point of pride.
Small sweet buns flavoured with dried fruit, lemon and spice. Traditionally eaten in Devon around festivals and with tea.
A lightly curried rice dish with fish, often smoked haddock, plus eggs and butter. Popular across Devon as a hearty seaside supper.
Popular Turkish restaurant known for grilled meats, meze and warm service. Lively yet comfortable for casual dinners in town.
Established town-centre bistro serving British and European dishes in a relaxed, polished setting. Good for lunch or an easy evening meal.
Long-running Italian restaurant with pizzas, pasta and classic mains. Friendly, dependable and suited to families and groups.
Moderate for the UK. Rooms and dining cost less than in major tourist cities, while local buses and casual meals are fairly affordable for most visitors.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Cafés do not require tips, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Barnstaple railway station -> Barnstaple Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Barnstaple 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 Barnstaple, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Barnstaple trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Barnstaple station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Barnstaple 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.
Manchester Airport is 13 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Manchester Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Airport.
Wi-Fi is available at Manchester Airport. ATMs are available at Manchester Airport.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Airport. Information desks are 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.
Available at Manchester Airport: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Airport: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Airport: 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.
Barnstaple has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food options include: Station Masters Cafe
Ticket office support is available at Barnstaple.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Barnstaple: Parking, WC.
Available at Barnstaple: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Barnstaple: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step free Category A station - step free access available to the 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 car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, 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 toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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