Exeter, 196 miles west of London, is the capital of Devon and the gateway to two national parks, Dartmoor and Exmoor. It is also home to a historic cathedral and a great introduction to the West of England. Use these travel instructions to choose the best way to get from London to Exeter to suit your budget and your own vacation or holiday plans.
Here’s how to get there
By train
Great Western Railway operates frequent direct trains from London Paddington to Exeter St. Davids throughout the day (every half hour on the off-peak day). The trip lasts from 2 to 2 and a half hours, depending on the number of stops along the way. Try to avoid the early morning commuter train which can take almost four hours and cost up to 200% more.
St Davids is a 15-minute walk from the city center and the main attractions of the castle and cathedral. The cheapest fare in June 2019 for advance tickets and off-peak travel to Exeter St Davids, is £ 63.50 when purchased as two one-way tickets (one ticket for the same journey when purchased as one round-trip ticket it was priced at over £ 90 for what it is worth, on this journey on individual (one way) tickets. But choose your trains carefully because there are only a few journeys available at the cheapest fare and the cost of this journey may fast doubling or even tripling.
To get the best rate, be flexible about your travel time and use the Cheapest Rate Finder, described below.
South West trains depart from London Waterloo with direct services from this station leaving every hour at 20 minutes. Their trains make more stops and take 3 hours and 23 minutes for the trip. The cheapest fare on this service is £ 43.50 (as of June 2019) when purchased as two one-way tickets. However, you should be aware that Southwest Trains has been plagued with labor disputes and random delays.
- Read more about train travel in the UK
- Plan a trip with The National Rail Inquiries Journey Planner
Tips for traveling to the UK s The cheapest train fares are designated as ‘Advanced’: anticipation depends on the journey as most rail companies offer advance fares on a first come, first served basis. Always compare the price of the “single” ticket with the round-trip price or the “return” price, as it is often cheaper to buy two individual tickets rather than one round-trip ticket.
If you can be flexible about train times, use the National Rail Inquiries Cheapest Fare Finder to get a bargain rate. Check the boxes marked “All Day” at the far right of the tool to get the available rate in absolute fund dollars, otherwise you may spend hours trying to match specific times and specific prices.
By bus
National Express Coaches operate buses between London Victoria Coach Station and Exeter Bus and Coach Station. Coaches leave London roughly every two hours and take between four and five hours for the journey. You can buy tickets online at the National Express website.
- Read about bus travel in the UK
UK Travel Tip Coaches are the cheapest way to travel around the UK. But due to all the promotional rates offered, the cost of a bus trip can be a bit difficult to predict before you log in to buy your tickets. Add to that the fact that the fares are offered as single or one-way tickets. The best way to find the cheapest fare is to let the coach company do it for you with their Online Fare Finder. Be prepared to be flexible about the time and day you travel to get the best deals.
By car
Exeter is 196 miles west of London via the M4 and M5 motorways. It takes about 4 hours to drive. It is also possible to take a slightly shorter route, the M3 to the A303, but it will take the same time, if not longer. This route passes through Stonehenge and during the high and mid seasons, tourist traffic delays can add hours to your journey. Also note that gasoline, called petrol in the UK, is sold by the liter (just over a quart) and the price is usually at least $ 1.50 per quart.
- Use the Automobile Association Route Planner to map a route with suggested stopovers and gas stations.
- Check daily gasoline prices (gasoline)
By air
Flybe has multiple flights a day from London City Airport, starting at less than £ 70 for round-trip tickets (for select flights in July 2019). You can also fly direct to Exeter from Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Dublin and Belfast City airports. The airport is about 7 miles from the city center. Stagecoach bus routes 56A and 56B run regularly between Exeter St David railway station, Exeter bus station, the airport and Exmouth.
