Salisbury to Exeter train with South Western Railway

Thu 17 Sept
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South Western Railway
Great Western Railway
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West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
South Western Railway
Great Western Railway
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Salisbury to Exeter

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 17 Sept

Cheapest price on 17 Sept

£19

Average ticket price on 17 Sept

£48

Fastest journey on 17 Sept

1 h 59 m

Average journey duration on 17 Sept

2 h 14 m

Trains on 17 Sept

12

Distance

127 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Salisbury to Exeter will cost around £48 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £19.

Fast trains

On Thu 17 Sept, we found 12 trains from Salisbury to Exeter, including 2 direct services.

These direct trains cover the 127 km distance in an average of 2 h 14 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 59 m .

The slowest trains will take 2 h 23 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.

  • South Western RailwayL79342
    10:472h19
    Salisbury station (SAL)
    13:06Exeter St Davids (EXD)
    £191One-way
    0 changes
  • South Western RailwayL79315
    8:482h18
    Salisbury station (SAL)
    11:06Exeter St Davids (EXD)
    £231One-way
    0 changes
  • South Western RailwayL79363+Great Western RailwayC48025
    12:482h44
    Salisbury station (SAL)
    15:32Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
    £471One-way
    1 change
  • South Western RailwayL79315+Great Western RailwayC48004
    8:482h44
    Salisbury station (SAL)
    11:32Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
    £491One-way
    1 change
  • South Western RailwayL79342+Great Western RailwayC48015
    10:472h44
    Salisbury station (SAL)
    13:31Exeter St Thomas (EXT)
    £491One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare train for Salisbury to Exeter

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Salisbury to Exeter among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £17 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 35m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £17, while a train costs an average of £17.

Distance: 127 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Driving

£17

Average Price

Cheapest

£25

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

2h 35m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 5m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 14m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

South Western Railway

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Salisbury to Exeter is a train with an average price of £17.
The fastest way to travel from Salisbury to Exeter is by train with an average journey time of 2h 5m.
Yes, you can take a train between Salisbury and Exeter.
Take the train. On this route, it beats driving on both time and money.

The journey is about 9m faster (2h 5m by train vs 2h 14m by car) and roughly £8 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£17 vs £25). 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 South Western Railway.

Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Salisbury to Exeter train times

The table below shows live departures for Salisbury to Exeter trains for tomorrow, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
South Western RailwayL793158:48 Salisbury station (SAL)
2h18
11:06 Exeter St Davids (EXD)0 changesdirect
South Western RailwayL79315+Great Western RailwayC480048:48 Salisbury station (SAL)
2h44
11:32 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)1 change
Great Western RailwayG15519+CrossCountryG011358:57 Salisbury station (SAL)
2h47
11:44 Exeter St Davids (EXD)1 change
Great Western RailwayG15005 · W347889:42 Salisbury station (SAL)
2h12
11:54 Exeter St Davids (EXD)1 change
Great Western RailwayG15005 · W34788 · C480109:42 Salisbury station (SAL)
2h50
12:32 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)2 changes
South Western RailwayL79342+Great Western RailwayC4801510:47 Salisbury station (SAL)
2h44
13:31 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)1 change
South Western RailwayL7934210:47 Salisbury station (SAL)
2h19
13:06 Exeter St Davids (EXD)0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayG15520 · G1497911:08 Salisbury station (SAL)
1h59
13:07 Exeter St Davids (EXD)1 change
Great Western RailwayG15520 · G14979 · C4801511:08 Salisbury station (SAL)
2h23
13:31 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)2 changes
Great Western RailwayG15521+CrossCountryW2986812:07 Salisbury station (SAL)
2h37
14:44 Exeter St Davids (EXD)1 change
South Western RailwayL79363+Great Western RailwayC4802512:48 Salisbury station (SAL)
2h44
15:32 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)1 change
Great Western RailwayG15523 · G14984 · C4802513:07 Salisbury station (SAL)
2h25
15:32 Exeter St Thomas (EXT)2 changes

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Salisbury 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.

Thu
17 Sept
Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept

Why should you book Salisbury to Exeter trains with Omio?

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

Why book with Omio vs South Western Railway?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for South Western Railway, but also compare tickets for the likes of Great Western Railway to find the best option for your trip from Salisbury 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.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Great Western Railway to find the best option for your trip from Salisbury to Exeter.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Salisbury to Exeter

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Salisbury to Exeter run on average 22 times per day, taking around 2h 5m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £13 if you book in advance.

There are 8 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:10, the last at 23:04. The fastest train covers the 127 km distance in 1h 54m.

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
Distance
127 km
Average train duration
2h 5m
Cheapest ticket price
£13
Trains per day
22
Direct trains
8
Fastest train
1h 54m
First train
4:10
Last train
23:04
Cheapest Month
Dec
Cheapest Day
Sun
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Fri
Best time to book
21 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

Train companies: South Western Railway, Great Western Railway from Salisbury to Exeter trainsSouth Western Railway, Great Western Railway trains will get you between Salisbury and Exeter from £13. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

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
1h 54m
Cheapest South Western Railway Price
£13
South Western Railway frequency
12 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

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
2h 23m
Cheapest Great Western Railway Price
£54
Great Western Railway frequency
6 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: Salisbury to Exeter train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salisbury 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 Salisbury to Exeter can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £13, while the average price tends to be around £17.
The train journey from Salisbury to Exeter covers a distance of 127 km and takes approximately 1h 54m. Trains run 22 per day.
The train distance from Salisbury to Exeter is 127 km.
The first train from Salisbury to Exeter leaves at 4:10.
The last train from Salisbury to Exeter departs at 23:04.
Trains from Salisbury to Exeter run approximately 22 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Salisbury to Exeter.
Yes, there is a direct train between Salisbury and Exeter. The service operates 8 times per day, provided by South Western Railway.
To travel from Salisbury to Exeter, you can take a train.
There is no night train service from Salisbury to Exeter.
The train station in Salisbury that goes to Exeter is Salisbury station (SAL), and it arrives at Exeter St Davids (EXD).
The cheapest way to get from Salisbury to Exeter is by train, costing approximately £13.
Booking trains from Salisbury 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 Salisbury to Exeter is considered scenic, as it traverses through picturesque countryside, passing landmarks like the historic cathedral city of Salisbury, the rolling hills of the Somerset countryside, and the dramatic landscapes of Devon.
A day trip from Salisbury to Exeter is not feasible as the journey takes 1h 54m. However, there are 21 train trips available per day for this route.
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 Salisbury to Exeter.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Salisbury and Exeter

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

Departure train stations in Salisbury
Arrival train stations in Exeter

Which Salisbury station do trains to Exeter leave from?

Trains from Salisbury to Exeter leave from Salisbury. The station is 1 km from Salisbury city centre at Salisbury station, South Western Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 7RS.
SalisburySalisbury station, South Western Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 7RS+44 345 600 0650WifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Salisbury from Salisbury city centre

Bus2, 25, 26, 27, X4, 26A, R3, R8, R10, Pr3, R1, 2A, X2 · 4m · every ~40 min

Salisbury train station facilities and services

Salisbury has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Salisbury.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

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

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Salisbury. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 0800 5282100.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Salisbury: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Salisbury: Bike Parking.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Salisbury: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category B Station - There is step free access to all platforms. Access to platforms 5 (for trains to Cardiff and the West of England) and 6 (for some services to Basingstoke and London Waterloo) are via level access. Access to all other platforms is via a subway with steep ramps. A staff operated powered wheelchair is available for customers who have difficulty using the ramps. Please speak to our assisted travel team or a member of station staff. Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

More options for your journey from Salisbury to Exeter

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