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Journey Information
There are 8 intercity coaches per day from Manchester to Exeter. Traveling by coach from Manchester to Exeter usually takes around 7 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Megabus coach can make the trip in 6 hours and 43 minutes.
| Distance | 199 mi (320 km) |
| Shortest duration | 6h 43m |
| Cheapest price | £22.84 |
| Most frequent service | Megabus |
| Coach lines | 3 |
Coaches from Manchester to Exeter
- FlixBus: 1 daily coaches from £23
- Megabus: 8 daily coaches from £23
- National Express: 8 daily coaches from £28
What coach companies travel from Manchester to Exeter?
There are 3 bus lines from Manchester to Exeter available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 8 daily trips, Megabus usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 1 | 12h 25m | £22.84 |
| Megabus | 8 | 7h 33m | £31.59 |
| National Express | 8 | 9h 34m | £38.31 |
First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 1 trips from Manchester to Exeter, and usually makes the trip in about 12 hours and 25 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Founded in 2003, Megabus UK was created to provide travelers with greener, more straightforward and smarter travel. The carrier has routes all across the United Kingdom in England, Scotland, and Wales. The Megabus UK fleet, easily distinguishable by its dark blue and yellow colors, has free Wi-Fi, outlets and charging ports, onboard restrooms, and 20 kg luggage allowances on each bus.
National Express is probably the UK's best-known bus company, offering intercity services to London, Manchester, Southampton, and Edinburgh. Onboard the single and double-decker vehicles, travelers enjoy a good amount of legroom – roomier than airlines have in coach class – alongside WiFi, restrooms, and air conditioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The coach takes an average of 7 hours and 33 minutes to cover the 199 miles from Manchester to Exeter. However, the fastest coach only takes 6 hours and 43 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual coach may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Saturday is usually the day when coaches are busiest, as many travelers take the coach to enjoy the weekend in Exeter. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.
The first coach leaves at 04:00 and the last coach leaves at 17:00. To see the times for all coaches from Manchester to Exeter, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 8 scheduled coaches that travel from Manchester to Exeter every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which coach you take, you will have to transfer coaches at least once during your journey.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Manchester to Exeter; ticket prices start at £169.68.
City Information
Manchester
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Most recognizable for its world-famous football team, Manchester is a modern, vibrant city with a diverse range of attractions that will appeal to explorers of all kinds. Often referred to as "The Capital of the North," Manchester is also known for being the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Visitors can relive this booming era by taking a trip to the Science and Industry Museum to see how this previously small town changed the world's ideas of industry and manufacturing forever. These days, Manchester is famous for its music and art scene, with it being the birthplace of bands like The Smiths and Oasis.
Art and music-lovers may want to visit Afflecks, a vast and eclectic emporium of all things indie and grunge, to purchase records, artwork, and memorabilia, among many other things. Manchester is also home to 15 parks and gardens, with Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens among the most popular. This park provides a beautiful setting for picnics and scenic walks, perfect for when you need an escape from the bustling city.
And if you really are only here for Man U, both Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium are stops on our itinerary to visit every premier league stadium in England.
With three large train stations—Piccadilly, Oxford Road, and Victoria—Manchester is easily accessible via rail. National Express and Megabus coaches also allow access from all over the country. In addition, Manchester Airport houses three large terminals, which provide global entry to the city.
Exeter
Located on the River Exe in the southwest of England, Exeter is one of England's most historically-varied towns. It's easy to forget what year it is while walking down the cobbled streets surrounded by Roman ruins, medieval architecture, and Georgian facades interspersed with modern glass buildings and contemporary bars.
One of the greatest examples of this town's historical architecture is Exeter Cathedral. The 12th-century building took around 300 years to complete, but every moment was worth it for the exterior's extremely detailed stonework. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum is another unmissable building, housing a wide range of attractions from antiquities to zoology.
Take a walk along Exeter's historic quayside for some of the most spectacular scenery in the city, as well as some of Exeter's best bars and restaurants. If you're looking for something to entertain the children, Crealy Great Adventure Park is the place to be. The park contains over 60 rides and an Animal Barn showcasing farm and exotic animals.
Exeter can be easily reached from London via the Great Western Railway, with trains leaving roughly every hour from the city. Trains arrive at Exeter St. David's station, only a short walk away from the city center. In addition, National Express and Megabus provide coach services to the town from various locations across the country.
Station Information
Where does the coach leave from in Manchester?
Main departure station: Shudehill Interchange (Stand G)
Manchester has two coach stations with service to Exeter.
All coach stations in Manchester:
Shudehill Interchange (Stand G)
Manchester Coach Station
Where does the coach arrive in Exeter?
Main arrival station: Sidmouth Rd
Coaches arrive in Exeter at 4 stations, depending on which coach line you are traveling with.
Coach stations in Exeter:
Sidmouth Rd
Honiton Rd
36 Sidwell St
Honiton Rd
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Exeter to Manchester?
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