- Recommended
Barnstaple Museum
Local museum on the square covering North Devon history, archaeology and everyday life in an accessible town-centre setting.
Cheapest price
£9
Average price
£9
Fastest journey
1 h 5 m
Average duration
1 h 8 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
54 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Exeter to Barnstaple is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Exeter to Barnstaple will cost around £9 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £9.
Of the 4 trains that leave Exeter for Barnstaple every day 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 54 km distance in an average of 1 h 8 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 5 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 14 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.








Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Exeter to Barnstaple among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £6. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 12m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £6, and a train costs an average of £6.
Distance: 54 km
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£9 Average Price | £9 Average Price Cheapest |
1h 42m Average total duration Fastest 1h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 4m Average total duration 1h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Exeter to Barnstaple trains for today, Wednesday 5 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 17:21 Exeter | 1h10 | 18:31 Barnstaple | 0 changesdirect | |
| Thursday 6 August | |||||
![]() | 6:12 Exeter | 1h05 | 7:17 Barnstaple | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:19 Exeter | 1h06 | 10:25 Barnstaple | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 10:19 Exeter | 1h06 | 11:25 Barnstaple | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Exeter to Barnstaple run on average 17 times per day, taking around 1h 12m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £6 but you can travel from only £6 by coach.
There are 10 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:07, the last at 23:13. The fastest train covers the 54 km distance in 1h 5m.
Distance 54 km |
Average train duration 1h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price £6 |
Trains per day 17 |
Direct trains 10 |
Fastest train 1h 5m |
First train 0:07 |
Last train 23:13 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sept |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 2 days |
Discover the best of Barnstaple — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Barnstaple trip today.
Local museum on the square covering North Devon history, archaeology and everyday life in an accessible town-centre setting.
Contemporary art gallery inside The Burton, showing changing exhibitions and craft-focused displays in a central modern venue.
Family-focused heritage attraction with model railways, transport displays and interactive exhibits linked to local engineering history.
Long traffic-free walking and cycling route on a former railway line, linking Barnstaple with estuary scenery and nearby villages.
Riverside park with gardens, play areas and open lawns, popular for relaxed walks beside the River Taw near the town centre.
Historic shopping street with period buildings, independent shops and a strong sense of Barnstaple’s traditional market-town character.
A rich Devon cream tea of scones, clotted cream and jam. In Devon tradition, cream goes on before jam, making it a local point of pride.
Small sweet buns flavoured with dried fruit, lemon and spice. Traditionally eaten in Devon around festivals and with tea.
A lightly curried rice dish with fish, often smoked haddock, plus eggs and butter. Popular across Devon as a hearty seaside supper.
Popular Turkish restaurant known for grilled meats, meze and warm service. Lively yet comfortable for casual dinners in town.
Established town-centre bistro serving British and European dishes in a relaxed, polished setting. Good for lunch or an easy evening meal.
Long-running Italian restaurant with pizzas, pasta and classic mains. Friendly, dependable and suited to families and groups.
Moderate for the UK. Rooms and dining cost less than in major tourist cities, while local buses and casual meals are fairly affordable for most visitors.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Cafés do not require tips, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Barnstaple railway station -> Barnstaple Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Exeter to Barnstaple 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 Barnstaple, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Exeter to Barnstaple trains use the Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple station pair. Use this guide to compare Exeter and Barnstaple train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
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.
Exeter Central has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Exeter Central.
Wi-Fi is available at Exeter Central.
Ticket office support is available at Exeter Central.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Exeter Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Exeter Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Exeter Central: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step free Category A station - Both platforms can be accessed via lifts from the main station entrance, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Barnstaple has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food options include: Station Masters Cafe
Ticket office support is available at Barnstaple.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Barnstaple: Parking, WC.
Available at Barnstaple: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Barnstaple: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step free Category A station - step free access available to the 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 car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, 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 toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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