can anyone help me find a cheap train or coach please, im really struggling here

[Dartmoorcheffy]

Trying to get from exeter to manchester on april 24 next year ( or even sat 25 as long as we get there mid afternoon as we are going to a concert. ) returning on sunday 26th. Train prices I am finding are absolutely outrageous (almost £300 each!!), I would fly (£150 return) but my friend who is coming with me has just told me she is too scared of flying ffs... I would drive, but she doesnt want to drive as shes a nervous passenger, so its either bus or train and I cant find any buses with megabus or national express at all. Cant even find anything that goes from exeter to birmingham and then we could get a train from there..

Please help, seriously considering reselling the tickets at the mo as this is driving me insane xx

You're looking too soon. Advance tickets will go on sale about 12 weeks before the day of travel. To get an idea of prices, look at tickets about 12 weeks from now.

Then look to see if it would be worth while to buy a Two Together railcard. Costs about £35 and gets you one-third off the price.

There is one direct train a day from Taunton (which may have come via Exeter). Otherwise expect to have to change at Birmingham New Street.

And an "Advance ticket" will be the cheapest and least flexible. It means you can only use it on that specific train. You can't decide to catch an earlier or later train (unless there's been a disruption on the train network, in which case you get the next available train).

They only sell a certain number of Advance tickets, after that it's only the more expensive ones. So do be prompt when they go on sale.

Look at Flixbus - they might have something

How about getting a bus to bristol and then onwards from Bristol bus station on another bus. May be too early to check now for April, but can enter a journey for the same day next week to get an idea of times and costs.

Have you looked at split ticketing?

Hi @DartmoorcheffyIf you use an app like Trip or TrainPal with a Two Together Railcard you can really bring the price down. Checking your dates - Exe - Man return on 24 April - 26 April it’s 159.64 for both (but a couple of changes!) I travel long distance a lot and these apps save me a lot of £ !

I'd national express Exeter to London then London to Manchester, it's too early to book for April but for march it says ex to ldn arrives 12.20 for £18.90 then London to man departs on the hour £7.90

Buy a two together Railcard.
Keep checking prices regularly. Book in January