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Trip Summary
You can pick from 6 daily train trips between Manchester and Barnstaple. The average train journey from Manchester to Barnstaple takes 9 hours and 46 minutes, but some CrossCountry + Connections train trips are as short as 5 hours and 48 minutes.
| Distance | 183 mi (294 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 48m |
| Lowest price | $96.29 |
| Most frequent service | Northern Rail + Connections |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Manchester to Barnstaple?
There are 4 train lines with service from Manchester to Barnstaple. Northern Rail + Connections is your best bet, with 2 scheduled trains per day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arriva Trains Wales + Connections | 1 | 13h 8m | $96.29 |
| CrossCountry + Connections | 1 | 5h 48m | $191.39 |
| Northern Rail + Connections | 2 | 13h 2m | $99.31 |
| TransPennine Express + Connections | 2 | 6h 50m | $196.91 |
Arriva Trains Wales + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Barnstaple start from $96, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 Arriva Trains Wales + Connections schedules to Barnstaple. Arriva Trains Wales + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly . And in Barnstaple trains arrive at Barnstaple Station .
From Manchester to Barnstaple train travel on Arriva Trains Wales + Connections takes 13 hours and 8 minutes. If you are looking to get to Barnstaple faster, Arriva Trains Wales + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 5 hours and 48 minutes.
If you are looking to travel to Barnstaple on a weekend there is typically one Arriva Trains Wales + Connections scheduled trip per day, which will cost for a one-way weekend reservation from Manchester.
CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Barnstaple start from $191, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Barnstaple. CrossCountry + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly . And in Barnstaple trains arrive at Barnstaple Station .
From Manchester to Barnstaple train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 5 hours and 48 minutes.
If you are looking to travel to Barnstaple on a weekend there is typically one CrossCountry + Connections scheduled trip per day, which will cost for a one-way weekend reservation from Manchester.
Northern Rail + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Barnstaple start from $99, and on average cost . Daily there are 2 Northern Rail + Connections schedules to Barnstaple. Northern Rail + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Airport . And in Barnstaple trains arrive at Barnstaple Station .
From Manchester to Barnstaple train travel on Northern Rail + Connections takes 13 hours and 2 minutes. If you are looking to get to Barnstaple faster, Northern Rail + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 5 hours and 48 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Northern Rail + Connections offers 2 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Barnstaple.
TransPennine Express + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Barnstaple start from $197, and on average cost . Daily there are 2 TransPennine Express + Connections schedules to Barnstaple. TransPennine Express + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Airport . And in Barnstaple trains arrive at Barnstaple Station .
From Manchester to Barnstaple train travel on TransPennine Express + Connections takes 6 hours and 50 minutes. If you are looking to get to Barnstaple faster, TransPennine Express + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 5 hours and 48 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, TransPennine Express + Connections offers 2 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Barnstaple.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Manchester and Barnstaple is approximately 183 miles, or 294 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 46 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 48 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.
Monday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Manchester to Barnstaple. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Monday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Monday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Manchester at 1:00pm while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. 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 6 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Barnstaple 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.
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 bus 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 buses 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 Barnstaple?
Main arrival station: Barnstaple Station
Barnstaple has one train station.
All train stations in Barnstaple:
Barnstaple Station
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Need a return trip from Barnstaple to Manchester?
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