Exeter to Ashford train with Great Western Railway (GWR)

Fri 18 Sept
+ Add return
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
QR-Code
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
rate4.9
42K ratings
Google Play
rate4.6
136K reviews

The cheapest and fastest trains from Exeter to Ashford

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£63

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£88

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

4 h

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

4 h 2 m

Trains on 18 Sept

12

Distance

312 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Exeter to Ashford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Exeter to Ashford will cost around £88 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £63.

Fast trains

To travel from Exeter to Ashford you need to make at least 2 changes.

  • Great Western RailwayG14922+SoutheasternP85942+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International
    11:434h02
    Exeter St Davids (EXD)
    15:45Ashford International (AFK)
    £631One-way
    2 changes
  • Great Western RailwayW34559+SoutheasternP85930+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International
    9:434h02
    Exeter St Davids (EXD)
    13:45Ashford International (AFK)
    £731One-way
    2 changes
  • Great Western RailwayY80248 · W34572+SoutheasternP85689+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International
    11:424h33
    Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
    16:15Ashford International (AFK)
    £731One-way
    3 changes
  • Great Western RailwayW34566+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International+SoutheasternP85683
    11:154h03
    Exeter St Davids (EXD)
    15:18Ashford International (AFK)
    £731One-way
    2 changes
  • Great Western RailwayW34562+SoutheasternP85677+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International
    10:154h03
    Exeter St Davids (EXD)
    14:18Ashford International (AFK)
    £731One-way
    2 changes

Travel Information

Compare train for Exeter to Ashford

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Exeter to Ashford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £196 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 53m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £196, while a train costs an average of £196.

Distance: 312 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Driving

£196

Average Price

Cheapest

£60

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 53m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 23m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 23m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Exeter to Ashford is a train with an average price of £196.
The fastest way to travel from Exeter to Ashford is by train with an average journey time of 3h 23m.
Yes, you can take a train between Exeter and Ashford.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 1h 0m sooner (3h 23m by train vs 4h 23m by car). Tickets start at around £196 compared to roughly £60 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Exeter to Ashford train times

The table below shows live departures for Exeter to Ashford trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Great Western RailwayC47995 · Y41873 · W34562+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International
On time
9:36 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
4h42
14:18 Ashford International (AFK)
4 changes
Great Western RailwayW34559+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International+SoutheasternP85930
On time
9:43 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
4h02
13:45 Ashford International (AFK)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayG15229 · G15045+SoutheasternP85936+CrossCountryG01069
On time
10:06 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
4h39
14:45 Ashford International (AFK)
4 changes
Great Western RailwayW34562+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International+SoutheasternP85677
On time
10:15 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
4h03
14:18 Ashford International (AFK)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayY80241 · W34566+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International+SoutheasternP85683
On time
10:39 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
4h39
15:18 Ashford International (AFK)
3 changes
Great Western RailwayW34566+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International+SoutheasternP85683
On time
11:15 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
4h03
15:18 Ashford International (AFK)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayY80248 · W34572+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International+SoutheasternP85689
On time
11:42 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
4h33
16:15 Ashford International (AFK)
3 changes
Great Western RailwayG14922+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International+SoutheasternP85942
On time
11:43 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
4h02
15:45 Ashford International (AFK)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayW34572+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International+SoutheasternP85689
On time
12:15 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
4h00
16:15 Ashford International (AFK)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayY80254 · W34577+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International+SoutheasternP85695
On time
12:42 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
4h33
17:15 Ashford International (AFK)
3 changes
Great Western RailwayY41870 · G14921+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International+SoutheasternP856719:05 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
4h13
13:18 Ashford International (AFK)3 changes
Great Western RailwayG14921+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International+SoutheasternP856719:16 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
4h02
13:18 Ashford International (AFK)2 changes

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Exeter to Ashford by train

Compare train 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.

Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept

Journey information

Overview: Train from Exeter to Ashford

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Exeter to Ashford run on average 17 times per day, taking around 3h 23m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £196 if you book in advance.

The earliest train runs at 05:10, the last at 22:51. The fastest train covers the 312 km distance in 3h 23m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
312 km
Average train duration
3h 23m
Cheapest ticket price
£196
Trains per day
17
Fastest train
3h 23m
First train
5:10
Last train
22:51
Cheapest Month
Dec
Cheapest Day
Sat
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Apr - Jun
Best time to book
35 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Train companies: Great Western Railway (GWR) from Exeter to Ashford trainsGreat Western Railway (GWR) trains will get you between Exeter and Ashford from £196. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Great Western Railway (GWR)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Great Western Railway (GWR) Duration
3h 23m
Cheapest Great Western Railway (GWR) Price
£196
Great Western Railway (GWR) frequency
1 a day

Complete guide to Ashford

Things to do in Ashford

Discover the best of Ashford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ashford trip today.

  • Recommended

Ashford Museum

Main local museum telling Ashford's story through archaeology, industry and social history in a compact town-centre setting.

  • Recommended

Willesborough Windmill

Working windmill and heritage attraction at Willesborough, offering insight into milling history and traditional machinery.

Wye Heritage Centre

Small local museum in Wye presenting village history, everyday objects and changing displays with strong community character.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for south-east England. Hotels and rail can be pricey, but everyday dining and local buses are generally manageable for visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple lunch.
Mid-range
£18-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£50+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£2.80-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Cafes do not require tips, but small change is appreciated.

FAQs: Exeter to Ashford train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Exeter to Ashford 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 Ashford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Exeter to Ashford can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £196, while the average price tends to be around £196.
The train journey from Exeter to Ashford covers a distance of 312 km and takes approximately 3h 23m. Trains run 17 per day.
The train distance from Exeter to Ashford is 312 km.
The first train from Exeter to Ashford leaves at 5:10.
The last train from Exeter to Ashford departs at 22:51.
Trains from Exeter to Ashford run approximately 17 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Exeter to Ashford.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Exeter to Ashford.
To travel from Exeter to Ashford, you can take a train.
There is no night train service from Exeter to Ashford.
The train station in Exeter that goes to Ashford is Exeter St Davids (EXD), and it arrives at Ashford International (AFK).
The cheapest way to get from Exeter to Ashford is by train, costing approximately £196.
Booking trains from Exeter to Ashford in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Exeter to Ashford offers a mix of scenic views, including rolling countryside, charming villages, and glimpses of the English Channel as you travel through parts of Devon, Somerset, and Kent.
A day trip from Exeter to Ashford is not feasible as the journey duration is 3h 23m. However, with a frequency of 9 trains per day, you have multiple travel options. The total distance is 312 km.
A stay of 2-3 days in Ashford is generally sufficient to explore its attractions, including the Ashford Designer Outlet, Godinton House and Gardens, and nearby countryside.
Yes, you can take the train from Exeter to Ashford.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Exeter and Ashford

Most Exeter to Ashford trains use the Exeter St Davids to Ashford International station pair. Use this guide to compare Exeter and Ashford train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Exeter
Arrival train stations in Ashford

Which Exeter station do trains to Ashford leave from?

Trains from Exeter to Ashford leave from Exeter St Thomas. The station is 1 km from Exeter city centre at Exeter St Thomas station, Cowick Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 1AJ.
Exeter St ThomasExeter St Thomas station, Cowick Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 1AJWifiParkingDiningAccessibilityHotelLost and Found OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Exeter St Thomas from Exeter city centre

Exeter St Thomas is 1 km from Exeter city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainExmouth - Paignton · 21m · £0.90 · every ~2 min
BusA, B, C, E, P · 9m · £2 · every ~44 min

Exeter St Thomas train station facilities and services

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

Food and drink options are available at Exeter St Thomas.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Exeter St Thomas.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Exeter St Thomas: Parking.

Bike and car services

Available at Exeter St Thomas: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.

Accessibility

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' ParkSt James Park (Exeter) station, Well Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 6QBParkingDiningAccessibilityHotelLost and Found OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to St James' Park from Exeter city centre

BusTg001 · 12m
G · 18m · every ~1 min

St James' Park train station facilities and services

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

Food and drink options are available at St James' Park.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at St James' Park: Parking.

Bike and car services

Available at St James' Park: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.

Accessibility

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.

Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids station, Bonhay Road, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4NT+44 3451652030WifiShoppingParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Exeter St Davids from Exeter city centre

Exeter St Davids is 1 km from Exeter city centre. Public transport options include:

Bus355, 6A, 5B, 4A, 4, 66 · 6m · £2 · every ~20 min
4, 4A, Uni, K · 8m · £2 · every ~19 min

Exeter St Davids train station facilities and services

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

Food and drink options are available at Exeter St Davids.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Exeter St Davids. ATMs are available at Exeter St Davids.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Exeter St Davids.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Exeter St Davids: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Exeter St Davids: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.

Accessibility

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.

More options for your journey from Exeter to Ashford

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.

ios-badge
android-badge
Hand With Phone