- Must visit
Basing House
Open-air historic site with museum displays, Tudor ruins, and Civil War stories. A strong choice for understanding the area's dramatic past.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Exeter to Basingstoke among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £15 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 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 £15, while a flight costs an average of £316.
Distance: 181 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£30 Average Price | £15 Average Price Cheapest | £316 Average Price | £34 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 59m Average total duration Fastest 2h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 10m Average total duration 3h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 40m Average total duration 6h 40m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 2h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | 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 Exeter to Basingstoke:
A coach is £15 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Exeter to Basingstoke costing on average £30.
A coach is £301 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Exeter to Basingstoke costing on average £316.
Other travel options to Basingstoke take longer:
Coach takes on average 3h 40m.
Flight takes on average 6h 40m.
The journey is about 9m faster (2h 29m by train vs 2h 38m by car) and roughly £3 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£30 vs £34). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with South Western Railway.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
Compare train, coach and flight 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 Basingstoke run on average 18 times per day, taking around 2h 29m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £24 but you can travel from only £15 by coach.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 23:23. The fastest train covers the 181 km distance in 2h 30m.
Distance 181 km |
Average train duration 2h 29m |
Cheapest ticket price £24 |
Trains per day 18 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 2h 30m |
First train 0:02 |
Last train 23:23 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Basingstoke — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Basingstoke trip today.
Open-air historic site with museum displays, Tudor ruins, and Civil War stories. A strong choice for understanding the area's dramatic past.
National Trust house with collections, furnished interiors, and garden history. Visit for art, architecture, and a fuller picture of country-house life.
Local museum telling the story of Basingstoke and Deane through archaeology, art, and changing displays in the historic Market Place.
Large country park with woodland walks, a lake, viewpoints, and family trails. Popular for fresh air and easy outdoor time near the town centre.
Landscaped park with boating lake, footpaths, play areas, and open lawns. Good for relaxed walks close to central Basingstoke.
Restored canal route with towpath walks, wildlife, and waterside views. A favourite local area for gentle walking and quieter scenery.
A Hampshire pub classic: sausages served with mashed potato and onion gravy. It is a staple in local pubs across Basingstoke and the wider county.
Traditional suet pastry stuffed with steak and kidney. This hearty southern English dish is long associated with pub dining in Hampshire.
A cold meat pie made with seasoned pork in hot-water crust pastry. It is a classic lunch and picnic food in Hampshire and across southern England.
Smart modern Indian restaurant known for polished service, curries and grills in a contemporary setting near the town centre.
Popular Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant serving grilled meats, meze and flatbreads in a lively, relaxed atmosphere.
Traditional pub venue for cask ales and classic British plates, especially roast dinners, in a historic and characterful setting.
Moderate for southern England. Hotels and dining cost more than many UK towns, but local buses and casual meals are manageable for most visitors.
Service is sometimes included in restaurants; otherwise tip around 10% for good service. Taxis are often rounded up or tipped 10%. Tipping in cafés is optional.
Official public transport app
Basingstoke station -> Festival Place Bus Station, Basingstoke
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Exeter to Basingstoke 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 Basingstoke, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Exeter to Basingstoke trains use the Exeter St Davids to Basingstoke station pair. Use this guide to compare Exeter and Basingstoke 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.
Basingstoke has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Basingstoke.
Wi-Fi is available at Basingstoke. ATMs are available at Basingstoke.
Ticket office support is available at Basingstoke.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Basingstoke: Parking, WC.
Available at Basingstoke: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Basingstoke: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category B2 station. This station has step-free access to all platforms via lifts from the main entrance. The rear entrance has level access to Platforms 4 and 5 (and to other platforms via lifts) but is only open Monday-Friday 0600 until 1000 and from 1500 until 2345 (closed at weekends) - outside these times a stepped subway must be used. The alternative step-free route from the rear to the main entrance via the street is approximately 380m and includes missing dropped kerbs and sections of route without a pavement. Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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