- Must visit
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
City museum with local history, archaeology, world cultures and changing exhibitions in a landmark Victorian building.
Cheapest price on 20 Sept
£28
Average ticket price on 20 Sept
£28
Fastest journey on 20 Sept
9 h
Average journey duration on 20 Sept
9 h
Buses on 20 Sept
1
Distance
269 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Leicester to Exeter is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Leicester to Exeter will cost around £28 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £28.
On Sun 20 Sept, we found 1 buses from Leicester to Exeter, including 1 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 269 km distance in an average of 9 h but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 9 h .
The slowest buses will take 9 h and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Leicester to Exeter among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £18 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 59m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £18, while a train costs an average of £138.
Distance: 269 km
Most popular Coach | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£18 Average Price Cheapest | £138 Average Price | £50 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 55m Average total duration 6h 25m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 59m Average total duration Fastest 3h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 37m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Leicester to Exeter:
A coach is £51 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Leicester to Exeter costing on average £69.
Other travel options to Exeter take longer:
Coach takes on average 6h 25m.
Tickets start at around £18 compared to roughly £50 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £32. The journey takes 6h 25m versus 3h 37m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by FlixBus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
The table below shows live departures for Leicester to Exeter coaches for today, Saturday 19 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:50 Leicester | 6h40 | 15:30 Exeter | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 12:00 Leicester | 9h20 | 21:20 Exeter | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 20:00 Leicester | 9h05 | 5:05 Exeter | 0 changesdirect | |
| Sunday 20 September | |||||
![]() | 7:30 Leicester | 9h00 | 16:30 Exeter | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Leicester to Exeter run on average 29 times per day, taking around 6h 25m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £14 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 00:29, the last at 23:45. The fastest coach covers the 269 km distance in 6h 10m.
Distance 269 km |
Average bus duration 6h 25m |
Cheapest ticket price £14 |
Buses per day 29 |
Fastest bus 6h 10m |
First bus 0:29 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Exeter — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Exeter trip today.
City museum with local history, archaeology, world cultures and changing exhibitions in a landmark Victorian building.
Underground medieval passages beneath the city, explored on guided tours that reveal Exeter’s engineering and history.
Working print museum with historic presses, typesetting equipment and hands-on insight into traditional printing methods.
Historic quay with waterside walks, canal heritage, independent shops and easy access to cycling and boat trips.
Well-kept Victorian park with broad lawns, flower beds, mature trees and links to the castle and city walls.
Historic shopping street lined with timber-framed buildings, independent businesses and one of Exeter’s most distinctive walks.
A cider brandy from nearby Topsham, distilled from West Country cider apples. It is a long-standing Devon drink linked to the area’s orchards.
Traditional Devon split bread roll filled with thick slices of cured ham. It is a classic county snack and picnic staple around Exeter.
Sweet fried dough pieces once sold at Devon fairs, often dusted with sugar. They are a nostalgic West Country treat associated with local baking.
Stylish city-centre restaurant serving modern British cooking with Devon produce. Smart but approachable setting for a more refined meal.
Historic quayside pub known for pies, British classics and local drinks. Relaxed atmosphere in one of Exeter’s most characterful old buildings.
Lively indoor market food hall with several independent traders. Good for sampling local produce, casual meals and coffee in a social setting.
Moderate for the UK: stays and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain manageable for most visitors.
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Cafés: rounding up is fine. Taxis: round up or add about 10% for good service.
Official public transport app
Exeter, Sidwell Street (City Centre) -> Exeter Central Station
Leicester and Exeter are two cities with approximately 500 miles lying between them. The journey by coach from Leicester to Exeter is very straightforward, lasts between six and eight hours and requires only a single coach change in Bristol.
National Express is the only coach company offering bus service between Leicester and Exeter. National Express is the largest UK coach company with modern, fully equipped buses. There are toilets and WiFi available on board. National Express has mobile tickets available. National Express coaches make occasional rest breaks along the way.
The coach journey between Leicester and Exeter varies a little depending on the coach departure time. The shortest journey available is six hours 35 minutes and the longest is seven hours 35 minutes. Journey times include a short 30-minute coach change in Bristol. Estimated journey times do not account for potential increased traffic.
There are four coaches throughout the day travelling from Leicester to Exeter every day including Saturdays and Sundays. The earliest coach departs from Leicester St Margaret’s bus station at 9:00 a.m. and the last coach is 4:15 p.m.
Departure station: The departure station in Leicester is Leicester St Margaret’s Bus Station located slightly north of the city centre. The bus station is open every day, including weekends, between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. The ticket office also opens at 9:00 a.m. but closes earlier at 5:00 p.m. The station is easily accessible by local buses, car or on foot. The station facilities include a seated waiting room, toilets, cash point and coffee shop.
Arrival station: The arrival coach station in Exeter is Exeter Bus Station. There is a travel shop and toilet facilities at Exeter Bus Station. From Exeter Bus Station, there are good public transport links to the rest of Exeter and local taxis are available. There are many hotels, restaurants, shops and cafes to be found in the city centre, which is just a short walk away.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Leicester to Exeter by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Exeter, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Leicester to Exeter buses use the Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station to Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court station pair, with some services arriving at Exeter, Honiton Road. Use this guide to compare Leicester and Exeter bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Leicester, Braunstone is 3 km from Leicester city centre. Public transport options include:
Leicester, Braunstone has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Snack outlets in the nearby vicinity.
Wi-Fi is available at Leicester, Braunstone. ATMs are available at Leicester, Braunstone.
Ticket office support is available at Leicester, Braunstone.
Available at Leicester, Braunstone: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Leicester, Braunstone: Basic wheelchair accessibility.
Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court. ATMs are available at Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court.
Ticket office support is available at Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court.
Available at Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court: Wheelchair accessible.
Exeter, Honiton Road is 3 km from Exeter city centre. Public transport options include:
Exeter, Honiton Road has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café in the station (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Exeter, Honiton Road.
Available at Exeter, Honiton Road: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Exeter, Honiton Road: Ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need