Trains to 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.
Getting to Exeter Airport by train
Trainline makes it easy to book cheap train tickets to Exeter St David’s train station. This will save you time and money on taxis and airport parking, meaning more cash to spend on your holiday. We recommend you book well in advance of travelling to get the cheapest fares. National Railcards can also save you an extra 1/3 off an adult’s journey and 60% off a kid’s one.
Great Western Railway run direct trains to Exeter St. David’s from Reading and London and South Western Railway run direct trains from Salisbury and London. From further afield, CrossCountry also run trains from Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. From Exeter St David’s train station, you can take the number 56 bus to get from Exeter to Exeter Airport terminal.
On Mondays to Fridays, the bus runs from 6:25 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. every 45-60 minutes. On weekends it runs every hour: on Saturdays from 7:05 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and on Sundays from 7:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. The journey takes around 30 minutes. If you’re travelling outside these times, you can contact the official airport taxis service: Apple Central Taxis to pick you up when you arrive.
If you have an early flight the next day, you can stay in the Hampton by Hilton hotel, just under a mile away from the airport. A free shuttle bus operates 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 Airport
On entering Exeter Airport, you’ll see the check-in desks just in front of you and a passage leading to security will be on your left. After you’ve passed security, you can walk to the departures concourse where there’s a World Duty-Free with a selection of spirits, confectionery, cosmetics and other products.
In the same area, there’s also a WHSmith to pick up what you need before the flight. A Fed & Watered Café Bar is in the same area with a selection of hot and cold snacks and drinks. Next to security, there’s also a Fed & Watered Wine & Dine bar serving meals and alcohol.
If you’re planning a holiday in Europe, then why not take the train for a memorable experience? You can use Trainline to book cheap fares to major European cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, Brussels, Barcelona and Rome.