Leicester to Exeter train with CrossCountry

Wed 04 Nov
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CrossCountry
Great Western Railway
South Western Railway
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
2,000+ travel companies
CrossCountry
Great Western Railway
South Western Railway
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Leicester to Exeter

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 04 Nov
Cheapest price on 04 Nov
£71
Average ticket price on 04 Nov
£119
Fastest journey on 04 Nov
3 h 54 m
Average journey duration on 04 Nov
3 h 54 m
Trains on 04 Nov
2
Distance
269 km
Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Leicester to Exeter will cost around £119 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £71.

Fast trains

On Wed 04 Nov, we found 2 trains from Leicester to Exeter, including 2 direct services.

These direct trains cover the 269 km distance in an average of 3 h 54 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 54 m .

The slowest trains will take 3 h 54 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.

  • CrossCountry
    0 changes
  • CrossCountry
    0 changes

Journey information

Overview: Train from Leicester to Exeter

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Leicester to Exeter run on average 12 times per day, taking around 3h 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £46 but you can travel from only £15 by coach.

The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 22:55. The fastest train covers the 269 km distance in 3h 14m.

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 £15
Distance
269 km
Average train duration
3h 30m
Cheapest ticket price
£46
Trains per day
12
Fastest train
3h 14m
First train
0:02
Last train
22:55
Cheapest Month
Aug
Cheapest Day
Sun
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Wed
Least Busy Day
Mon
Best time to book
28 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 £15

Frequently asked questions about your Leicester to Exeter trip

Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Leicester to Exeter.

The cost of a train ticket from Leicester to Exeter can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £46, while the average price tends to be around £143.
The train journey from Leicester to Exeter covers a distance of 269 km and takes approximately 3h 14m. Trains run 12 per day.
The train distance from Leicester to Exeter is 269 km.
The first train from Leicester to Exeter leaves at 0:02.
The last train from Leicester to Exeter departs at 22:55.
Trains from Leicester to Exeter run approximately 12 times per day.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Leicester to Exeter.

Live departures

Leicester to Exeter train times

The table below shows live departures for Leicester to Exeter trains for today, Tuesday 3 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Great Western RailwayW34809 · C48025+East Midlands RailwayW70784+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Paddington
Delayed
13:03 11:04Leicester station (LEI)
4h28
15:32 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
3 changes
Great Western RailwayW34809+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Paddington+East Midlands RailwayW70784
Delayed
13:03 11:04Leicester station (LEI)
4h08
15:12 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayW34814+East Midlands RailwayC21654+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Paddington
Delayed
14:03 12:04Leicester station (LEI)
4h08
16:12 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayW34814 · C48030+East Midlands RailwayC21654+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Paddington
Delayed
14:03 12:04Leicester station (LEI)
4h29
16:33 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
3 changes
CrossCountryG00964 · G01148
Delayed
12:52 12:50Leicester station (LEI)
3h54
16:44 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
1 change
CrossCountryG00964 · G01148+Great Western RailwayY80279
Delayed
12:52 12:50Leicester station (LEI)
4h31
17:21 St James' Park (SJP)
2 changes
CrossCountryG00964 · G01148+Great Western RailwayC48033
Delayed
12:52 12:50Leicester station (LEI)
4h18
17:08 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayW34819+East Midlands RailwayW70796+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Paddington
Delayed
15:03 13:04Leicester station (LEI)
4h11
17:15 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayW34819 · C48035+East Midlands RailwayW70796+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Paddington
Delayed
15:03 13:04Leicester station (LEI)
4h30
17:34 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
3 changes
CrossCountryG00966 · W29884
On time
13:50 Leicester station (LEI)
3h56
17:46 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
1 change
CrossCountryG00966 · W29884+Great Western RailwayC48037
On time
13:50 Leicester station (LEI)
4h12
18:02 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
2 changes
CrossCountryG66953 · G01150
On time
14:18 Leicester station (LEI)
3h51
18:09 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
1 change
CrossCountryG66953 · G01150+Great Western RailwayG15233
On time
14:18 Leicester station (LEI)
4h06
18:24 St James' Park (SJP)
2 changes
CrossCountryG66953 · G01150+Great Western RailwayC48039
On time
14:18 Leicester station (LEI)
4h15
18:33 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
2 changes
CrossCountryG00969 · G01153
On time
14:50 Leicester station (LEI)
3h53
18:43 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
1 change
CrossCountryG00969 · G01153+Great Western RailwayG15471
On time
14:50 Leicester station (LEI)
4h15
19:05 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
2 changes
CrossCountryG00969 · G01153+Great Western RailwayY80290
On time
14:50 Leicester station (LEI)
4h30
19:20 St James' Park (SJP)
2 changes
East Midlands RailwayC21655+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Paddington+Great Western RailwayW34830
On time
15:04 Leicester station (LEI)
4h11
19:15 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayW34830 · C48044+East Midlands RailwayC21655+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Paddington
Delayed
17:03 15:04Leicester station (LEI)
4h30
19:34 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
3 changes
CrossCountryG00973 · G01154
On time
15:50 Leicester station (LEI)
4h00
19:50 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
1 change
CrossCountryG00973 · G01154+Great Western RailwayY80294
On time
15:50 Leicester station (LEI)
4h31
20:21 St James' Park (SJP)
2 changes
CrossCountryG00973 · G01154+Great Western RailwayC48048
On time
15:50 Leicester station (LEI)
4h43
20:33 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayW34836+East Midlands RailwayW70812+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Paddington16:04 Leicester station (LEI)
4h08
20:12 Exeter St Davids (EXD)2 changes
Great Western RailwayW34836 · C48048+East Midlands RailwayW70812+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Paddington16:04 Leicester station (LEI)
4h29
20:33 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)3 changes
CrossCountryG00974 · G01161_G66477
On time
16:50 Leicester station (LEI)
3h57
20:47 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
1 change
CrossCountryG00974 · G01161_G66477+Great Western RailwayC01620
On time
16:50 Leicester station (LEI)
4h11
21:01 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
2 changes
CrossCountryG00974 · G01161_G66477+Great Western RailwayY80298 · C48052
On time
16:50 Leicester station (LEI)
5h01
21:51 St James' Park (SJP)
3 changes
Great Western RailwayW34842+East Midlands RailwayW70816+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Paddington17:04 Leicester station (LEI)
4h10
21:14 Exeter St Davids (EXD)2 changes
CrossCountryG00977 · W29909
On time
17:50 Leicester station (LEI)
3h55
21:45 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
1 change
CrossCountryG00977 · W29909+Great Western RailwayC48052
On time
17:50 Leicester station (LEI)
4h14
22:04 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
2 changes
CrossCountryG00977 · W29909+Great Western RailwayY80300
On time
17:50 Leicester station (LEI)
4h08
21:58 St James' Park (SJP)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayG14988+East Midlands RailwayW70820+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Paddington18:06 Leicester station (LEI)
4h23
22:29 Exeter St Davids (EXD)2 changes
CrossCountryG00982 · G01166
On time
18:50 Leicester station (LEI)
3h52
22:42 Exeter St Davids (EXD)
1 change
CrossCountryG00982 · G01166+Great Western RailwayC48054
On time
18:50 Leicester station (LEI)
4h15
23:05 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayW34771 · C47971+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Paddington+East Midlands RailwayW70744
Delayed
23:45 21:23Leicester station (LEI)
7h37
5:00 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
3 changes
CrossCountry9:50 Leicester
3h54
13:44 Exeter0 changesdirect
CrossCountry11:50 Leicester
3h54
15:44 Exeter0 changesdirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Why should you book Leicester to Exeter trains with Omio?

CrossCountry as well as Great Western Railway or South Western Railway offer trains services from Leicester to Exeter.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Leicester to Exeter.

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 Great Western Railway or South Western Railway to find the best option for your trip from Leicester to Exeter.
  • 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 Leicester to Exeter.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Great Western Railway or South Western Railway to find the best option for your trip from Leicester to Exeter.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Leicester to Exeter.

Train companies: CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, South Western Railway from Leicester to Exeter trainsCrossCountry, Great Western Railway, South Western Railway trains will get you between Leicester and Exeter from £15. 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
3h 14m
Cheapest CrossCountry Price
£46
CrossCountry frequency
8 a day
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

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 23m
Cheapest Great Western Railway Price
£89
Great Western Railway frequency
5 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

South Western Railway

About
South Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom, providing services in the south and south-west of England. It operates a variety of train types, including high-speed trains, local stopping services, and suburban commuter trains. It also offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Off-Peak, and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for South Western Railway include London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour, London Waterloo to Weymouth, and London Waterloo to Bournemouth.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average South Western Railway Duration
4h 54m
Cheapest South Western Railway Price
£270
South Western Railway frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and designated luggage areas at end of carriages
Cancellation Policy
Refund depends on ticket type and timing of cancellation
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled by operator
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar service with hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for a fee, free for some ticket types
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free, dogs must be on lead
Quiet zone

Companies, tickets, and onboard amenities between Leicester and Exeter

Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.

Yes, there is a high-speed train service from Leicester to Exeter.
Yes, there is a night train from Leicester to Exeter.

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.

Plan your visit to Exeter

Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Exeter.

The train journey from Leicester to Exeter offers a mix of urban and countryside views. Travellers can enjoy the rolling hills of the Midlands and glimpses of the picturesque countryside as the train travels through regions like the Cotswolds and Somerset, providing a pleasant and varied visual experience.

FAQs: Leicester to Exeter train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Leicester 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
Booking trains from Leicester to Exeter in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
Yes, you can take the train from Leicester to Exeter.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Leicester and Exeter

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

Departure train stations in Leicester
Arrival train stations in Exeter

Which Leicester station do trains to Exeter leave from?

Trains from Leicester to Exeter leave from Leicester. The station is 1 km from Leicester city centre at Leicester station, London Road, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE2 0QB.
LeicesterLeicester station, London Road, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE2 0QB+44 8457125678WifiShoppingParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Leicester from Leicester city centre

BusX7 · 4m · £2 · every ~3 min
16 · 7m · every ~6 min
Hop · 11m · £2 · every ~14 min

Leicester train station facilities and services

Leicester has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Leicester.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Leicester. ATMs are available at Leicester.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Leicester. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 08000 11 33 23, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Leicester: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Leicester: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Leicester: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A access station. There is step free access to the main entrance and lifts to all platforms. Customers with wheelchairs who require assistance on graduated slopes should press the ticket gate 'assistance' button located at the bottom of the stairs near the self service ticket machines. To ensure availability of staff to assist, it is imperative that customers book assistance in advance. This station has tactile paving at the edge of all platforms and at the bottom of all staircases, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, 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: Yes.

Train stations for Leicester to Exeter

Check train stations information for Leicester and Exeter, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.

The train station in Leicester that goes to Exeter is Leicester, and it arrives at Exeter St Davids.

More options for your journey from Leicester to Exeter

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

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