Folkestone to Exeter train with Great Western Railway

Wed 23 Sept
+ Add return
Great Western Railway
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
CrossCountry
2,000+ travel companies
Great Western Railway
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
CrossCountry
2,000+ travel companies
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Travel Information

Compare train for Folkestone to Exeter

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Folkestone to Exeter among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £37 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 55m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £37, while a flight costs an average of £422.

Distance: 333 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Flight
Coach
Driving

£107

Average Price

£422

Average Price

£37

Average Price

Cheapest

£64

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 55m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 25m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 45m

Average total duration

2h 45m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

8h 21m

Average total duration

7h 51m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 33m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Great Western Railway

Most popular train company

Loganair

Most popular airline

National Express

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Folkestone to Exeter is a coach with an average price of £37.

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

A coach is £70 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Folkestone to Exeter costing on average £107.

A coach is £385 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Folkestone to Exeter costing on average £422.

The fastest way to travel from Folkestone to Exeter is by flight with an average journey time of 2h 45m.

Other travel options to Exeter take longer:

Train takes on average 3h 25m.

Coach takes on average 7h 51m.

Yes, you can take a between Folkestone and Exeter.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 1h 8m sooner (3h 25m by train vs 4h 33m by car). Tickets start at around £107 compared to roughly £64 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.

Live departures

Folkestone to Exeter train times

The table below shows live departures for Folkestone to Exeter trains for today, Tuesday 22 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Great Western Railway12:01 Folkestone
4h11
16:12 Exeter0 changesdirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Folkestone to Exeter by train

Compare 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.

Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept
Fri
25 Sept
Sat
26 Sept
Sun
27 Sept
Mon
28 Sept
Tue
29 Sept

Why should you book Folkestone to Exeter trains with Omio?

Great Western Railway operates all trains services from Folkestone to Exeter.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Folkestone to Exeter.

Why book with Omio vs Great Western Railway?

  • 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.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Folkestone to Exeter

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Folkestone to Exeter run on average 12 times per day, taking around 3h 25m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £71 but you can travel from only £31 by coach.

The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 22:01. The fastest train covers the 333 km distance in 3h 8m.

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 £31
Distance
333 km
Average train duration
3h 25m
Cheapest ticket price
£71
Trains per day
12
Fastest train
3h 8m
First train
0:02
Last train
22:01
Cheapest Month
Feb
Cheapest Day
Sat
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Apr - Jun
Best time to book
7 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 £31

Train companies: Great Western Railway from Folkestone to Exeter trainsGreat Western Railway trains will get you between Folkestone and Exeter from £31. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Great Western Railway

About
Great Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London Paddington to the West of England, South Wales and the Cotswolds. It also operates services from London Paddington to Oxford, Reading and Bristol. It offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, air conditioning and catering services. The most popular routes for Great Western Railway are London Paddington to Bristol, Reading and Oxford.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Great Western Railway Duration
3h 8m
Cheapest Great Western Railway Price
£71
Great Western Railway frequency
12 a day
Luggage included
Two pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, dedicated luggage areas at end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches. First Class at-seat service on some routes
Seat reservation
Optional seat reservations available for a fee. Free in First Class
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

Complete guide to Exeter

Things to do in Exeter

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

  • Must visit

Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

City museum with local history, archaeology, world cultures and changing exhibitions in a landmark Victorian building.

  • Recommended

Exeter's Underground Passages

Underground medieval passages beneath the city, explored on guided tours that reveal Exeter’s engineering and history.

  • Recommended

The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum

Working print museum with historic presses, typesetting equipment and hands-on insight into traditional printing methods.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for the UK: stays and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain manageable for most visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple lunch.
Mid-range
£18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£50+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Cafés: rounding up is fine. Taxis: round up or add about 10% for good service.

FAQs: Folkestone to Exeter train

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

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Folkestone to Exeter can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £71, while the average price tends to be around £107.
The train journey from Folkestone to Exeter covers a distance of 333 km and takes approximately 3h 8m. Trains run 12 per day.
The train distance from Folkestone to Exeter is 333 km.
The first train from Folkestone to Exeter leaves at 0:02.
The last train from Folkestone to Exeter departs at 22:01.
Trains from Folkestone to Exeter run approximately 12 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Folkestone to Exeter.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Folkestone to Exeter.
To travel from Folkestone to Exeter, you can take a .
There is no night train service from Folkestone to Exeter.
The train station in Folkestone that goes to Exeter is Folkestone West (FKW), and it arrives at Exeter St Davids (EXD).
The cheapest way to get from Folkestone to Exeter is by coach, costing approximately £31.
Booking trains from Folkestone to Exeter in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Folkestone to Exeter offers a scenic experience, with views of the picturesque English countryside, rolling hills, and charming villages, especially as the route traverses parts of the South West and West Country.
A day trip from Folkestone to Exeter is not feasible as the journey duration is 3h 8m. However, trains run 13 times per day. The distance is 333 km.
Two to three days in Exeter is ideal to explore its historic sites, enjoy the stunning quayside, and visit nearby attractions like Dartmoor National Park.
Yes, you can take the train from Folkestone to Exeter.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Folkestone and Exeter

Most Folkestone to Exeter trains use the Folkestone West to Exeter St Davids station pair, with some services arriving at Exeter St Thomas. Use this guide to compare Folkestone and Exeter train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Folkestone
Arrival train stations in Exeter

Which Folkestone station do trains to Exeter leave from?

Trains from Folkestone to Exeter leave from Folkestone West. The station is 2 km from Folkestone city centre at Folkestone West station, Station Approach, off Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 3PA.
Folkestone WestFolkestone West station, Station Approach, off Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 3PA+44 3303339232ParkingDiningAccessibilityWCLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Folkestone West from Folkestone city centre

Folkestone West is 2 km from Folkestone city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainRamsgate - St Pancras International, Faversham - St Pancras International, Margate - Ashford International, Ramsgate - London Charing Cross, Dover Priory - London Charing Cross, Ramsgate - Ashford International, Dover Priory - Ashford International, Folkestone Central - London Victoria, Dover Priory - London Cannon Street, Faversham - London Charing Cross, Dover Priory - St Pancras International, Sandwich - St Pancras International, Folkestone Central - St Pancras International, Folkestone Central - London Charing Cross, Folkestone Central - Ashford International, Dover Priory - London Bridge, Ramsgate - London Bridge, Faversham - London Bridge, Dover Priory - Tonbridge, Deal - St Pancras International, Deal - Ashford International · 2m · £0.90 · every ~5 min
Bus10, 17, 71, 71A · 4m · £3 · every ~21 min

Folkestone West train station facilities and services

Folkestone West has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Folkestone West.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Folkestone West. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0345 322 7021 or Text relay 18001 0345 322 7021 Freephone 0800 783 4524 or Text Relay 18001 0800 783 4524, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Folkestone West: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Folkestone West: Bike Parking.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Folkestone West: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B2. This station has a degree of step-free access to the platform, which may be in both directions or in one direction only - please check details - Step Free access to Platform 1 via main entrance off Shorncliffe Road. Step free access to platform 2 via side entrance off Station Road. Step access between platforms via station subway. Step free Interchange between platforms via steep roads is in excess of 500 metres, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not wheelchair accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available to book, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: by entrance to platform 1, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

Most popular train connections from Folkestone

More options for your journey from Folkestone to Exeter

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