Getting around Exeter

Exeter Airport is located close to the city, with hundreds of thousands of passengers passing through it every year.

FlyBe operates flights to and from Exeter Airport from 10 UK destinations – Aberdeen, Norwich, Belfast City, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Guernsey, and Jersey. Skybus operates services from St Mary’s Scilly Isles in the summer months. International flights from Exeter Airport go to a variety of destinations. Most, though not all, are European, including Dublin, Geneva, Paris and Salzburg. 

Getting to Exeter by coach is easy, thanks to National Express and Megabus operating services from around the UK. Stagecoach runs buses in and around the city, servicing both the centre and outlying areas.

There is scheduled to be a partial closure of Exeter Bus Station until late 2020 because of redevelopment work which began in June 2018. Stagecoach runs buses in and around the city to many destinations, with prices starting from as little as £1 for short hops.

Day returns work out cheaper if you’re just going from A to B and back again, or you can buy a Devon Day Ticket, which gives you unlimited all-day bus travel with a number of companies operating services around the county for only a few pounds for adults and discounted concession prices for children aged five to 15. A family all-day ticket is available as well, which covers two adults and up to three children.

If you’re only travelling within Exeter, a Stagecoach Dayrider ticket might be best for you. They are affordable for adults and can be bought when you get on your first bus. A Stagecoach Dayrider Plus ticket gives you greater range beyond the city for just a few pounds more.

For travelling to Exeter from other parts of the UK, National Express and Megabus run coach services from many cities and towns around the country. Tickets must be booked in advance.

South West Falcon runs 24-hour services from Exeter to Bristol Airport and city centre, Taunton and Plymouth and you can book in advance or pay when you get onboard. These don’t run via Exeter city centre but depart instead from the Honiton Road Park and Ride on the outskirts.

Exeter city centre is small enough to get around most central destinations on foot. If you cycle, there are a number of cycle routes throughout the city. Driving in any city can be difficult when you’re not familiar with the roads, especially at rush hour, so Exeter has three Park and Ride locations – Honiton Road, Sowton and Matford – that take the stress out of finding your way around. There are plenty of parking spaces and frequent buses to take you into the city centre.

Exeter St. David’s is Exeter’s main train station, with services running hourly to and from London Paddington and other national destinations.

Exeter St. David’s is the primary train station operating services from Exeter around the country. It’s just a 15-minute walk or bus journey from the station into Exeter city centre.

It’s on the London Paddington to Cornwall line, with frequent trains running throughout the day and the journey to and from the capital taking just two to three hours.

A slower service operates from London Waterloo to Exeter via Salisbury, every two hours during the day and taking up to four hours but calling at Exeter Central station as well as St. David’s. National services run to and from destinations in the north of England, Scotland, Bristol, Birmingham and South Wales.

When you’re in Exeter, a trip on the Riviera Line running from Exeter Central to Paignton is well worth taking. It costs just a few pounds for an off-peak day return and it’s one of the UK’s best-loved railway journeys, owing to its scenic views along the Exe Estuary and coast. The train stops at seaside destinations Dawlish, Teignmouth, Torquay and Paignton and you can even take your dog if you have one.