Exeter to Birmingham train with CrossCountry

Thu 17 Sept
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CrossCountry
Cross Country
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
CrossCountry
Cross Country
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Exeter to Birmingham

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 17 Sept

Cheapest price on 17 Sept

£29

Average ticket price on 17 Sept

£67

Fastest journey on 17 Sept

2 h 23 m

Average journey duration on 17 Sept

2 h 27 m

Trains on 17 Sept

28

Distance

225 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Exeter to Birmingham will cost around £67 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £29.

Fast trains

On Thu 17 Sept, we found 28 trains from Exeter to Birmingham, including 11 direct services.

These direct trains cover the 225 km distance in an average of 2 h 27 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 23 m .

The slowest trains will take 2 h 28 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.

  • CrossCountryG00869_G01067
    9:272h28
    Exeter St Davids (EXD)
    11:55Birmingham New Street (BHM)
    £291One-way
    0 changes
  • CrossCountryG01069
    10:272h28
    Exeter St Davids (EXD)
    12:55Birmingham New Street (BHM)
    £291One-way
    0 changes
  • CrossCountryG01064
    8:272h28
    Exeter St Davids (EXD)
    10:55Birmingham New Street (BHM)
    £291One-way
    0 changes
  • CrossCountryG01073
    11:272h28
    Exeter St Davids (EXD)
    13:55Birmingham New Street (BHM)
    £291One-way
    0 changes
  • CrossCountryG01080
    13:272h28
    Exeter St Davids (EXD)
    15:55Birmingham New Street (BHM)
    £291One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Exeter to Birmingham

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Exeter to Birmingham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £14 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 7m. 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 £14, while a train costs an average of £49.

Distance: 225 km

Compare train with

Train
Most popular
Coach
Driving

£49

Average Price

£14

Average Price

Cheapest

£52

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 7m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 37m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 0m

Average total duration

4h 30m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 0m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.6kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

CrossCountry

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus 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.

The cheapest way to travel from Exeter to Birmingham is a coach with an average price of £14.

This is compared to other travel options from Exeter to Birmingham:

A coach is £35 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Exeter to Birmingham costing on average £49.

The fastest way to travel from Exeter to Birmingham is by train with an average journey time of 2h 37m.

Other travel options to Birmingham take longer:

Coach takes on average 4h 30m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Exeter and Birmingham including taking a train and coach.
Take the train. On this route, it beats driving on both time and money.

The journey is about 23m faster (2h 37m by train vs 3h 0m by car) and roughly £3 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£49 vs £52). 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 Cross Country.

Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Exeter to Birmingham train times

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

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Great Western RailwayY41864+CrossCountryG010648:09 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
2h46
10:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
CrossCountryG010648:27 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
2h28
10:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayY41870+CrossCountryG00869_G010679:05 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
2h50
11:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
CrossCountryG00869_G010679:27 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
2h28
11:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayG15229+CrossCountryG01069
On time
10:06 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
2h49
12:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)
1 change
CrossCountryG01069
On time
10:27 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
2h28
12:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)
0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayY80241+CrossCountryG0086510:39 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
2h40
13:19 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
CrossCountryG0086510:56 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
2h23
13:19 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
CrossCountryG01073
On time
11:27 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
2h28
13:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)
0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayY80248+CrossCountryG0107511:42 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
3h13
14:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
CrossCountryG0107512:27 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
2h28
14:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayY80254+CrossCountryG0108012:42 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
3h13
15:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
Great Western RailwayC48013+CrossCountryG0108012:48 St James' Park (SJP)
3h07
15:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
CrossCountryG0108013:27 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
2h28
15:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayY80260+CrossCountryG0108213:42 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
3h13
16:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
Great Western RailwayC48018+CrossCountryG0108213:48 St James' Park (SJP)
3h07
16:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
CrossCountryG0108214:27 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
2h28
16:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayY80266+CrossCountryG0108314:43 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
3h12
17:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
Great Western RailwayC48024+CrossCountryG0108314:48 St James' Park (SJP)
3h07
17:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
CrossCountryG0089415:23 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
3h01
18:24 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
CrossCountryG0108315:27 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
2h28
17:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayY80272+CrossCountryG0072315:42 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
3h12
18:54 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
Great Western RailwayC48028+CrossCountryG0072315:48 St James' Park (SJP)
3h06
18:54 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
CrossCountryG0072316:27 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
2h27
18:54 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayC48033+CrossCountryG0073016:49 St James' Park (SJP)
3h05
19:54 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
Great Western RailwayY80279+CrossCountryG0073017:06 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
2h48
19:54 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
Great Western RailwayY80282+CrossCountryG0073517:31 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
3h24
20:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
Great Western RailwayC48037+CrossCountryG0073517:50 St James' Park (SJP)
3h05
20:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Exeter to Birmingham by train or coach

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.

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

Why should you book Exeter to Birmingham trains with Omio?

CrossCountry as well as Cross Country or Great Western Railway (GWR) offer trains services from Exeter to Birmingham.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Exeter to Birmingham.

Why book with Omio vs CrossCountry?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for CrossCountry, but also compare tickets for the likes of Cross Country or Great Western Railway (GWR) to find the best option for your trip from Exeter to Birmingham.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare CrossCountry with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Exeter to Birmingham.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Exeter to Birmingham.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Exeter to Birmingham

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Exeter to Birmingham run on average 17 times per day, taking around 2h 37m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £26 but you can travel from only £10 by coach.

There are 6 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:00, the last at 22:12. The fastest train covers the 225 km distance in 2h 26m.

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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £10
Distance
225 km
Average train duration
2h 37m
Cheapest ticket price
£26
Trains per day
17
Direct trains
6
Fastest train
2h 26m
First train
5:00
Last train
22:12
Cheapest Month
May
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Mon
Best time to book
14 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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £10

Train companies: CrossCountry, Cross Country, Great Western Railway (GWR) from Exeter to Birmingham trainsCrossCountry, Cross Country, Great Western Railway (GWR) trains will get you between Exeter and Birmingham from £10. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

CrossCountry

About
CrossCountry is a fast-speed train operator in the United Kingdom, offering both express and regional services across the country. Express services, such as the CrossCountry Voyager and XC Trains, provide quick and comfortable journeys with amenities like free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a selection of snacks and drinks. Regional services, including the CrossCountry Regional and Regional Express, make more local stops for a leisurely trip. Ticket options include Standard Class and First Class, as well as Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak fares to suit different budgets and schedules. Popular routes include London to Birmingham, Manchester to Edinburgh, and Bristol to Reading.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average CrossCountry Duration
2h 26m
Cheapest CrossCountry Price
£26
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and luggage storage areas at ends of carriages
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies vary by ticket type
Refund
Full refund provided for canceled services
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks on some routes
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for additional fee
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets available
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free, larger dogs require ticket
Quiet zone

Cross Country

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Cross Country Duration
2h 18m
Cheapest Cross Country Price
£180
Cross Country frequency
16 a day

Great Western Railway (GWR)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Great Western Railway (GWR) Duration
3h 50m
Cheapest Great Western Railway (GWR) Price
£166
Great Western Railway (GWR) frequency
1 a day

Complete guide to Birmingham

Things to do in Birmingham

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

  • Must visit

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Major museum and gallery with fine art, local history, decorative arts and changing exhibitions in the city centre.

  • Must visit

Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum

Science museum with interactive galleries on industry, transport and invention, making it a strong family-friendly visit.

  • Recommended

Pen Museum

Independent museum in a converted factory, exploring Birmingham's pen trade with demonstrations and hands-on exhibits.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for UK city breaks: hotels and dining sit below London, while local transport and casual meals are fairly manageable for most tourists.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or casual eats.
Mid-range
£20-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£60+ per person at upscale restaurants.
Coffee
£3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Service may be included in restaurants; otherwise tip around 10%. Taxis are often rounded up or tipped 10%. Tipping in cafés is optional, usually just small change.

FAQs: Exeter to Birmingham train

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

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Exeter to Birmingham can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £26, while the average price tends to be around £49.
The train journey from Exeter to Birmingham covers a distance of 225 km and takes approximately 2h 26m. Trains run 17 per day.
The train distance from Exeter to Birmingham is 225 km.
The first train from Exeter to Birmingham leaves at 5:00.
The last train from Exeter to Birmingham departs at 22:12.
Trains from Exeter to Birmingham run approximately 17 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Exeter to Birmingham.
Yes, there is a direct train between Exeter and Birmingham. The service operates 6 times per day, provided by Cross Country.
To get from Exeter to Birmingham, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Exeter to Birmingham.
The train station in Exeter that goes to Birmingham is Exeter St Davids (EXD), and it arrives at Birmingham New Street (BHM).
The cheapest way to get from Exeter to Birmingham is by coach, costing approximately £10.
Booking trains from Exeter to Birmingham 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 Birmingham offers some scenic views, particularly as it passes through the rolling hills and picturesque countryside of Devon and Somerset. However, some portions are more urban or industrial as the train approaches Birmingham.
A day trip from Exeter to Birmingham is not feasible as the journey takes 2h 26m, which exceeds the 120-minute limit. However, trains run 15 times per day, covering a distance of 225 km.
In Birmingham, you can explore the historic Jewellery Quarter, take a canal boat tour, visit the National SEA LIFE Centre, and enjoy a performance at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Discover the city's history at the Birmingham Back to Backs. Don't miss the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Cadbury World, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Symphony Hall, and The Bullring for shopping and dining.
To explore Birmingham's key attractions like the Bullring, Cadbury World, and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, 2-3 days is typically sufficient.
Yes, you can take the train from Exeter to Birmingham.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Exeter and Birmingham

Most Exeter to Birmingham trains use the Exeter St Davids to Birmingham New Street station pair, with some services arriving at Birmingham International. Use this guide to compare Exeter and Birmingham 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 Birmingham

Which Exeter station do trains to Birmingham leave from?

Trains from Exeter to Birmingham leave from Exeter St Davids. The station is 1 km from Exeter city centre at Exeter St Davids station, Bonhay Road, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4NT.
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.

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.

Exeter CentralExeter Central station, Queen Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 3SB+44 3451652030WifiShoppingParkingDiningTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Exeter Central from Exeter city centre

BusH, K, Uni, 4A, 4 · 3m · £2 · every ~27 min

Exeter Central train station facilities and services

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

Food and drink options are available at Exeter Central.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Exeter Central.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Exeter Central.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Exeter Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Exeter Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.

Accessibility

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.

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