London to Exeter train with Great Western Railway

Trains from London to Exeter

There are plenty of options for trains to Exeter from London, which is great if you are interested in finding cheap tickets from London to Exeter. There are direct trains and there are also routes that require a change, with little difference in price. The average train journey on this route takes about 3 hours, with the fastest taking about 2 hours and the slowest about 4 hours. The trains leave regularly throughout the day, every half hour or hour, with multiple trains leaving from a few different stations in London and arriving at various stations in Exeter, meaning you can be more flexible with your travel plans.

London to Exeter Train Time: Daily Departures

Between the two train stations in London, you can find trains leaving throughout the day (and there’s even a couple of night trains available). The trains from London to Exeter run every day of the week but may not run during holidays.

How long is the journey by train from London to Exeter?

On average, the train journey from London to Exeter takes about 3 hours in total, and there are some trains available that take about 2 hours, such as Great Western Railway train that departs from London Paddington and arrives at Exeter Central Station. There are also some slower trains that take about 4 hours in total, like South Western Railway train that departs from London Waterloo and arrives at Polsloe Station, giving you plenty of time to check out our magazine.

Trains from London to Exeter: smiling people on a train from London. Source: Shutterstock

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from London to Exeter?

Departure train station: There are two departure stations to choose from when planning your route to Exeter from London. London Paddington is a good option because it is within walking distance of the city centre and it has a ticket office, toilets, baby-changing facilities, showers and free wifi. There are waiting rooms, payphones and you will also find it has step-free access for wheelchair users and passengers with reduced mobility. London Waterloo is very similar, as it is also within walking distance or a short taxi ride from the city centre; it also has toilets, baby-changing rooms, showers and a ticket office. You can find waiting rooms and step-free access throughout the station.

Arrival train station: There are a couple of train stations to choose from when you are arriving into Exeter. Exeter Central Station has shops, payphones, baby-changing facilities and payphones should you need to call someone. You will find that it has ramps and there are wheelchairs available too. While this station has a waiting area with seats, Polsloe Bridge Station does not, nor does it have toilets for the public. It has free WiFi and an induction loop for passengers with hearing aids, but it does not have step-free access.

Which train companies travel from London to Exeter?

Currently, there are two train companies that offer trains from London to Exeter: Great Western Railway and South Eastern Railway. The two companies offer a similar number of trains throughout the day and tend to take around 3h, on average. Great Western Railway operates the faster train line, and it has some trains that require a stop and some that are direct. South Western Railway has the slower train, and it also has direct and non-direct trains.

Night trains London

There are a couple of night trains available from London to Exeter, and they are both operated by Great Western Railway. They both depart from London Paddington, but while one goes to Exeter City Station, the other one stops at Polsloe Bridge Station. The Exeter City Station train arrives at about 04:30, while the other one arrives at about 06:15. Both trains stop at Exeter St David Station and are similarly priced.

South Western Railway trains from London to Exeter

South Western Railway company offers trains throughout the day, with more trains available through the morning and the late afternoon. They offer trains to Exeter from London every day of the week but not always on holidays, so if you plan to travel on days like Christmas or New Year’s, then you should book in advance. There are trains roughly every half an hour in the mornings and late afternoon; some run direct, while others require a change, depending on whether the destination is London Central Station or Polsloe Bridge.

Great Western Railway trains from London to Exeter

Great Western Railway operates trains from London to Exeter, which tend to run every half an hour or so. They run throughout the day and depart from both London Waterloo and London Paddington. They tend to have faster trains than South Western Railway, and the prices are roughly the same. Their trains operate every day of the week except holidays, and they have both direct and indirect trains.

Train London to Exeter: Services on Board

Great Western Railway trains have food trolleys, where you can buy snacks and drinks, and they also offer free WiFi. You can bring up to three items on board, and if you reserve your ticket in advance, that can include a bicycle. The largest an item can be is 9 x 15 x 27 in (25 x 40 x 70 cm), and you can bring up to two domesticated pets with you. If you require travel assistance due to disability or reduced mobility, both Great Western and South Western Railway recommend that you contact them in advance. South Western also allows bikes on board for most routes, but some intercity lines may not. They do not have a limit for carry-on luggage except that it fits in the storage spaces and does not block the emergency exits or passageways. You can also bring two domesticated pets on board. Both railways have first-class tickets available, including quiet zones.

Trains from London to Exeter: Sustainability travel

Travelling by train is better for the environment than travelling in cars, as not only do they contaminate less but they reduce traffic in urban environments. Trains are also known to be better for sound and use less space than other conventional means of transport. Both Great Western Railway and South Western Railway are dedicated to reducing their pollution and are striving to create more sustainable trains for the future.

How to find cheap train tickets from London to Exeter?

If you are interested in finding cheap train tickets from London to Exeter, then you should consider booking your tickets in advance, as this tends to make them cheaper. Also, if possible, try to be flexible with your travel times and dates, as this will give you greater choice. Finally, you may be able to find some better deals if you take trains that make a few more changes or if they take longer, as the price may be cheaper.

Trains from London to Exeter: cathedral in Exeter. Source: Shutterstock

To Exeter by train—travel tips

Exeter is well worth a visit, and it has plenty to offer if you have a few hours free. If you like sport, then you may want to check out the Exeter rugby club, which is one of the best teams in Europe and the English league. There is also horseracing and the Exeter City Football Club to go and see for live sport. If you would like to go shopping, we recommend stopping by the Princesshay area, where you can find a bunch of shops, bars and places to eat. The Cathedral Quarter also offers plenty of shops to visit, and it is good for people who would like to learn a bit about history. You can always check out the cathedral or the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery for a day of learning and culture.

• Exeter's Underground Passages
• Exeter's Historic Quayside
• Visit the port of Topsham
• Exeter Castle
• Exeter Northcott Theatre