- 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.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bedford to Exeter is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bedford to Exeter will cost around £59 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £48.
On Sat 07 Nov, we found 2 trains from Bedford to Exeter, including 2 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 264 km distance in an average of 5 h 5 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 13 m .
The slowest trains will take 5 h 57 m 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.

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Trains from Bedford to Exeter run on average 15 times per day, taking around 3h 50m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £55 but you can travel from only £41 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 22:13. The fastest train covers the 264 km distance in 3h 3m.
Distance 264 km |
Average train duration 3h 50m |
Cheapest ticket price £55 |
Trains per day 15 |
Fastest train 3h 3m |
First train 0:02 |
Last train 22:13 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 1 day |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Bedford to Exeter.
The table below shows live departures for Bedford to Exeter trains for tomorrow, Saturday 7 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:45 Bedford | 5h57 | 14:42 Exeter | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:46 Bedford | 4h13 | 12:59 Exeter | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
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 St Davids -> Exeter city centre
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Exeter.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bedford to Exeter by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Exeter, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bedford to Exeter trains use the Bedford to Exeter St Davids station pair, with some services arriving at Exeter St Thomas. Use this guide to compare Bedford and Exeter train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Bedford has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Bedford.
Wi-Fi is available at Bedford. ATMs are available at Bedford.
Ticket office support is available at Bedford.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bedford: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bedford: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bedford: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms via lifts. Assistance Meeting Point is adjacent to the taxi rank at the front of the station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Bedford St Johns has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Bedford St Johns.
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0800 0248 997, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Bedford St Johns: Parking.
Available at Bedford St Johns: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bedford St Johns: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Exeter St Davids is 1 km from Exeter city centre. Public transport options include:
Exeter St Davids has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Exeter St Davids.
Wi-Fi is available at Exeter St Davids. ATMs are available at Exeter St Davids.
Ticket office support is available at Exeter St Davids.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Exeter St Davids: Parking, WC.
Available at Exeter St Davids: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Exeter St Davids: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step free Category A station - All platforms can be accessed via Lifts from the sole main station entrance. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accessible ticket machines are located at the station entrance by the ticket office, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Exeter St Thomas is 1 km from Exeter city centre. Public transport options include:
Exeter St Thomas has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Exeter St Thomas.
Wi-Fi is available at Exeter St Thomas.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Exeter St Thomas: Parking.
Available at Exeter St Thomas: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Exeter St Thomas: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Step free Category C Station - This station does not have step free access to any platform. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are not available, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
St James' Park has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at St James' Park.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at St James' Park: Parking.
Available at St James' Park: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at St James' Park: Staff help available: No, Step free access note: Step Free Category B3 Station - This station has a degree of step free access to the platforms, however the Exeter bound platform cannot be accessed step free and the Exmouth bound platform can be accessed step free but only via a very steep ramp, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Check train stations information for Bedford and Exeter, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.
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