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Trip Summary
You can pick from 16 daily train trips between Manchester and Taunton. The average train journey from Manchester to Taunton takes 5 hours and 3 minutes, but some CrossCountry train trips are as short as 3 hours and 34 minutes.
| Distance | 174 mi (280 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 34m |
| Lowest price | £43.64 |
| Trains per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Northern Rail + Connections |
| Train lines | 5 |
Which train should you take from Manchester to Taunton?
There are 5 train lines with service from Manchester to Taunton. Northern Rail + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 5 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arriva Trains Wales + Connections | 3 | 6h 35m | £121.41 |
| CrossCountry | 5 | 3h 49m | £97.41 |
| CrossCountry + Connections | 1 | 4h 47m | £45.56 |
| Northern Rail + Connections | 5 | 4h 14m | £101.47 |
| TransPennine Express + Connections | 2 | 8h 6m | £124.23 |
Arriva Trains Wales + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Taunton start from £117, and on average cost . Daily there are 3 Arriva Trains Wales + Connections schedules to Taunton. Arriva Trains Wales + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly and one other station. And in Taunton trains arrive at Taunton Train Station .
From Manchester to Taunton train travel on Arriva Trains Wales + Connections takes 6 hours and 35 minutes. If you are looking to get to Taunton faster, Arriva Trains Wales + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 34 minutes.
CrossCountry operates an extensive rail network in the U.K., centered in Birmingham. In standard class, passengers enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, power outlets, and onboard restrooms. Trains also contain a small café or a trolley that passes through the carriages. An upgrade to first-class gives passengers more legroom and complimentary food. The journey from Manchester to Taunton usually takes about 3 hours and 49 minutes on a CrossCountry train. There are 5 trips on this route every day, and 0 daily trips on weekends.
CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Taunton start from £46, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Taunton. CrossCountry + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly . And in Taunton trains arrive at Taunton Train Station .
From Manchester to Taunton train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 4 hours and 47 minutes. If you are looking to get to Taunton faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 34 minutes.
Northern Rail + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Taunton start from £44, and on average cost . Daily there are 5 Northern Rail + Connections schedules to Taunton. Northern Rail + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Airport . And in Taunton trains arrive at Taunton Train Station .
From Manchester to Taunton train travel on Northern Rail + Connections takes 4 hours and 14 minutes. If you are looking to get to Taunton faster, Northern Rail + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 34 minutes.
TransPennine Express + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Taunton start from £119, and on average cost . Daily there are 2 TransPennine Express + Connections schedules to Taunton. TransPennine Express + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Airport . And in Taunton trains arrive at Taunton Train Station .
From Manchester to Taunton train travel on TransPennine Express + Connections takes 8 hours and 6 minutes. If you are looking to get to Taunton faster, TransPennine Express + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 34 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Manchester and Taunton is approximately 174 miles, or 280 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 3 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 34 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Trains from Manchester to Taunton are the most crowded on Tuesday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Manchester at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 21:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 16 scheduled trains on most days. 3 of these are direct connections to Taunton. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Taunton to Manchester.
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.
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, in the south of England. Its 1,000-year history gives it a diverse mix of the old and the new and guarantees that there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Take a walk through the newly-pedestrianised streets and take in the vastly diverse architecture that only an ancient town can offer, with the Perpendicular Gothic churches and many Georgian townhouses. Then, visit Taunton Castle for the Museum of Somerset and immerse yourself in the exciting history of the county.
If 21st-century pubs no longer excite you, head to the Tudor Tavern and take in the 16th-century exterior, with the interior said to date back to as early as the 14th century. Although not a tavern anymore, this bygone building is now a cafe, where visitors can sit back, relax, and enjoy the humbling feeling inspired by buildings that have stood the test of time.
For a more modern experience of the town, visit one of Taunton's vast shopping centres, or take a walk down the high street to discover local and independent shops.
Taunton is easily accessible by public transport or by car. National Express coaches run frequent services from many cities throughout the U.K., while Taunton Station provides rail access via the Great Western Railway.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Manchester?
Image credit: North West Transport Photos
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Manchester Airport
Refurbished in 2004 and 2014, Manchester Airport Station is a combined rail, Metrolink tram, and coach station. Referred to as "The Station" on signage, it is linked to the airport terminals by the Sky Link elevated walkway. Northern, TransPennine Express, and Transport for Wales operate rail services, with destinations including central Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. National Express and Megabus also operate frequent coaches to and from the airport. The Metrolink tram connects with Manchester Victoria rail station, located much closer to the center of Manchester.
All train stations in Manchester:
Manchester Airport
Manchester Piccadilly
Where is the train station in Taunton?
Main arrival station: Taunton Train Station
Taunton has one train station.
Train stations in Taunton:
Taunton Train Station
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Need a return trip from Taunton to Manchester?
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