- Must visit
National Railway Museum
A major railway museum with historic locomotives, royal carriages and engineering exhibits. An easy choice for families and transport fans.
Cheapest price on 10 Sept
£36
Average ticket price on 10 Sept
£84
Fastest journey on 10 Sept
5 h
Average journey duration on 10 Sept
5 h 3 m
Trains on 10 Sept
4
Distance
396 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Exeter to York is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Exeter to York will cost around £84 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £36.
On Thu 10 Sept, we found 4 trains from Exeter to York, including 4 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 396 km distance in an average of 5 h 3 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h .
The slowest trains will take 5 h 5 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 York among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £23 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 5h 11m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £23, while a train costs an average of £65.
Distance: 396 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£65 Average Price | £23 Average Price Cheapest | £77 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 11m Average total duration Fastest 4h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 39m Average total duration 10h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 19m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Exeter to York:
A coach is £42 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Exeter to York costing on average £65.
Other travel options to York take longer:
Coach takes on average 10h 9m.
The journey is about 38m faster (4h 41m by train vs 5h 19m by car) and roughly £12 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£65 vs £77). 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 CrossCountry, Cross Country.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Exeter to York trains for tomorrow, Thursday 10 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:16 Exeter | 5h00 | 13:16 York | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:16 Exeter | 5h00 | 14:16 York | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:27 Exeter | 5h05 | 14:32 York | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 11:27 Exeter | 5h05 | 16:32 York | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and 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.
Trains from Exeter to York run on average 18 times per day, taking around 4h 41m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £33 but you can travel from only £18 by coach.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 22:41. The fastest train covers the 396 km distance in 5h 5m.
Distance 396 km |
Average train duration 4h 41m |
Cheapest ticket price £33 |
Trains per day 18 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 5h 5m |
First train 0:02 |
Last train 22:41 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of York — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect York trip today.
A major railway museum with historic locomotives, royal carriages and engineering exhibits. An easy choice for families and transport fans.
An immersive museum street with recreated shops, period rooms and social history exhibits that bring everyday York life to life.
A broad city museum in riverside gardens, covering archaeology, Roman York, medieval objects and changing local life.
A narrow medieval street with overhanging timber buildings, independent shops and one of York’s most recognisable scenes.
Peaceful public gardens beside museum buildings and abbey ruins, ideal for a central stroll, picnics and riverside breaks.
A handsome Georgian street leading to the Minster, known for boutiques, facades and a classic approach through the old city.
A famous York sweet: dark chocolate-coated peppermint fondant, made in the city since the 20th century and strongly associated with York’s confectionery heritage.
Traditional Yorkshire tea loaf made with dried fruit and tea, often served sliced with butter. A classic regional bake long linked with teatime in York and Yorkshire.
A broad, crisp batter pudding served with roast beef and gravy. It is one of Yorkshire’s best-known traditional foods and a staple in York pubs and Sunday roasts.
Refined British tasting menus in an elegant, intimate setting inside The Grand. A strong choice for a special meal in central York.
Popular modern British restaurant focused on local produce, seasonal cooking and a relaxed bistro feel near the city walls.
Well-known traditional tearoom serving afternoon tea, cakes and light lunches in a classic Edwardian-style setting popular with visitors and locals.
Moderate for the UK: hotels and dining are pricier than smaller northern cities, but usually below London. Walking helps keep local transport costs low.
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Taxis: round up or add about 10%. Cafés and pubs: tipping is optional, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
York Railway Station -> York Minster, York
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Exeter to York 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 York, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Exeter to York trains use the Exeter St Davids to York station pair. Use this guide to compare Exeter and York 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.
York 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 York.
Wi-Fi is available at York. ATMs are available at York.
Ticket office support is available at York.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at York: Parking, WC.
Available at York: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at York: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: No advance booking is required but it will reduce the waiting time for a wheelchair access Taxi, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accessible machines are available on the main concourse, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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