- Must visit
Towner Eastbourne
Modern art gallery with changing exhibitions, Towner collection displays and strong links to Sussex artists and culture.
Cheapest price on 05 Sept
£73
Average ticket price on 05 Sept
£73
Fastest journey on 05 Sept
4 h 35 m
Average journey duration on 05 Sept
4 h 35 m
Trains on 05 Sept
1
Distance
268 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Exeter to Eastbourne is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Exeter to Eastbourne will cost around £73 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £73.
On Sat 05 Sept, we found 1 trains from Exeter to Eastbourne, including 1 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 268 km distance in an average of 4 h 35 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 35 m .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 35 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 Eastbourne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £74 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 57m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £74, while a flight costs an average of £156.
Distance: 268 km
Most popular Train | Flight | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£102 Average Price | £156 Average Price | £74 Average Price Cheapest | £53 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 57m Average total duration Fastest 4h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 30m Average total duration 5h 30m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 8h 59m Average total duration 8h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 35m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Exeter to Eastbourne:
A coach is £28 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Exeter to Eastbourne costing on average £102.
A coach is £82 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Exeter to Eastbourne costing on average £156.
Other travel options to Eastbourne take longer:
Flight takes on average 5h 30m.
Coach takes on average 8h 29m.
You'll arrive about 8m sooner (4h 27m by train vs 4h 35m by car). Tickets start at around £102 compared to roughly £53 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.
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 Eastbourne run on average 16 times per day, taking around 4h 27m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £101 but you can travel from only £64 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 00:42, the last at 22:29. The fastest train covers the 268 km distance in 4h 52m.
Distance 268 km |
Average train duration 4h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price £101 |
Trains per day 16 |
Fastest train 4h 52m |
First train 0:42 |
Last train 22:29 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Eastbourne — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Eastbourne trip today.
Modern art gallery with changing exhibitions, Towner collection displays and strong links to Sussex artists and culture.
Local history museum in a manor house, covering Eastbourne's past through archaeology, objects and changing displays.
Military museum inside the Redoubt, showing uniforms, weapons and stories linked to coastal defence and wartime Eastbourne.
Dramatic chalk headland with lighthouse views and coastal walks. One of the area's signature landscapes and photo spots.
Long seafront promenade backed by gardens, hotels and theatres. Ideal for walking, people-watching and classic resort views.
Formal gardens beside the seafront with ponds, lawns and flowerbeds. A relaxing green space near theatres and galleries.
A classic seaside supper of battered white fish with chips. Eastbourne’s coastal setting makes it a staple local treat, often eaten fresh by the seafront.
Native or rock oysters served raw or dressed. Sussex and nearby Channel waters have a long shellfish tradition, making oysters a notable local delicacy.
Crab landed on the Sussex coast, often served simply in sandwiches or salads. It is valued for its sweet flavour and strong connection to local fishing.
Smart restaurant close to the seafront, known for seasonal British dishes, careful cooking and a calm fine-dining atmosphere.
Long-established seafront Italian restaurant serving pizza, pasta and seafood in a lively, classic dining room.
Stylish seafront bistro known for seafood, grills and modern British cooking in a relaxed setting with sea views.
Eastbourne is moderate for UK seaside breaks, with mid-priced hotels, typical restaurant costs and low local bus fares, though summer and seafront stays cost more.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis, and small change is fine in cafés.
Official public transport app
Eastbourne Station -> Eastbourne Town Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Exeter to Eastbourne 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 Eastbourne, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Exeter to Eastbourne trains use the Exeter St Davids to Eastbourne station pair. Use this guide to compare Exeter and Eastbourne 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.
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.
Eastbourne 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 Eastbourne.
Wi-Fi is available at Eastbourne. ATMs are available at Eastbourne.
Ticket office support is available at Eastbourne.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Eastbourne: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Eastbourne: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Eastbourne: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free access to all platforms. Assistance Meeting Point is on the concourse. This station doesn't have tactile surfaces along all platform edges. Please pay attention to where the platform surface changes from smooth to paved or contact us for assistance, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Southern 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: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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