Trains from Exeter Airport
Exeter Airport is a convenient international airport for passengers travelling abroad from Southwest England. Many choose to take the train to get there for convenience and to save on costs. The airport is around 6 miles east of Exeter city centre, located in Clyst Honiton. To get from Exeter to Exeter Airport terminal, you can take the number 56 bus from Exeter St David’s train station. The journey takes 30 minutes and buses run every 45-60 minutes Monday to Friday and every hour on Saturday and Sunday.
Exeter St David’s train station is well connected to the UK mainland rail network. Direct trains run there from many major cities in England. These are operated by Great Western Railway, South Western Railway and CrossCountry and they provide easy access to Exeter airport from mainland Britain.
Read on to learn more about buying train tickets, timetables and possible connections.
Trains from Exeter Airport
If you have a flight into Exeter Airport, then the train can be a convenient and cheap way of getting to your final destination. Exeter Airport is only around 6 miles east of Exeter city centre, located in Clyst Honiton. To get from Exeter Airport to Exeter, you can take the number 56 bus direct to Exeter St David’s train station. The journey takes 30 minutes and buses run every 45-60 minutes Monday to Friday and every hour on Saturday and Sunday.
Exeter St David’s train station connects to many major cities in England. Using trains operated by Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, and CrossCountry, you have easy access to the entire UK mainland rail network.
Read on to learn more about buying train tickets, timetables, and possible connections.
Travelling from Exeter Airport
With Trainline, you can book cheap train tickets from Exeter St David’s train station to anywhere within mainland UK. This will save you time and money on taxis and airport parking, which is great if you’re a little short of cash after your holiday. Trainline recommends you book well in advance of your journey for the lowest fares. National Railcards can save you 1/3 off adult fares and 60% off fares for kids.
To get from Exeter Airport to Exeter St David’s train station, you can take the number 56 bus from just outside Exeter Airport terminal. On Mondays to Fridays, the bus runs from 7:00 a.m. to 7:10 p.m. every 45-60 minutes. On weekends it runs every hour: on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 6:33 p.m. and on Sundays from 7:45 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. The journey takes around 30 minutes.
If your flight arrives outside these times, you can book a taxi from the airport to the train station. From Exeter St David’s station, Great Western Railway has direct trains running to Reading and London and South Western Railway to Salisbury and London. If you’re travelling further, CrossCountry also operates trains to Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
If your flight arrives late or your train isn’t until the next day, you can stay in the Hampton by Hilton hotel, which is just under a mile from Exeter Airport. A free shuttle bus runs to and from the hotel.
Useful travel tips
We want to make travel easier for you, which is why we’ve compiled a selection of useful travel tips to help you on your way.
Off-peak fares
Learn more about peak and off-peak fares, and how they can affect the cost of your journey.
Seat reservations
Need information about seating? Read our guide to find out more about what's available.
Railcards
Want to see how much you could save by using a railcard? Read our handy guide on all the different railcards available.
Things to do in Exeter
Although Exeter St. David’s isn’t Exeter’s most central station, it’s only 15 minutes’ walk from Exeter Central station. You can also get a train from Exeter St. David’s to Exeter Central in 3 minutes. Then, only 100 metres walk from Exeter Central station, you’ll find Exeter Cathedral, a Gothic cathedral dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. The cathedral offers guided tours every day.
Also nearby, is Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum, an award-winning museum that takes visitors on a journey from Exeter’s ancient past to the present. Exeter Central Train station is located right next to Princesshay shopping centre, where you can shop until you drop, grab a coffee or dine out in style.
If you’re planning to stay in Exeter, the city is situated right in the heart of Devon with many areas of outstanding natural beauty to explore, including the Jurassic Coast.