- 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.
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
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.
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.
L79342
L79315
L79363+
C48025
L79315+
C48004
L79342+
C48015
G15520 · G14979
G15005 · W34788
L79315
L79342
G15520 · G14979 · C48015Omio 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
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) |
![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
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.
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.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L79315 | 8:48 Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h18 | 11:06 Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 0 changesdirect | |
L79315+ C48004 | 8:48 Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h44 | 11:32 Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 1 change | |
G15519+ G01135 | 8:57 Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h47 | 11:44 Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 1 change | |
G15005 · W34788 | 9:42 Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h12 | 11:54 Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 1 change | |
G15005 · W34788 · C48010 | 9:42 Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h50 | 12:32 Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 2 changes | |
L79342+ C48015 | 10:47 Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h44 | 13:31 Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 1 change | |
L79342 | 10:47 Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h19 | 13:06 Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 0 changesdirect | |
G15520 · G14979 | 11:08 Salisbury station (SAL) | 1h59 | 13:07 Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 1 change | |
G15520 · G14979 · C48015 | 11:08 Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h23 | 13:31 Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 2 changes | |
G15521+ W29868 | 12:07 Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h37 | 14:44 Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 1 change | |
L79363+ C48025 | 12:48 Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h44 | 15:32 Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 1 change | |
G15523 · G14984 · C48025 | 13:07 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 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 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.
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 |
Discover the best of Exeter — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Exeter trip today.
City museum with local history, archaeology, world cultures and changing exhibitions in a landmark Victorian building.
Underground medieval passages beneath the city, explored on guided tours that reveal Exeter’s engineering and history.
Working print museum with historic presses, typesetting equipment and hands-on insight into traditional printing methods.
Historic quay with waterside walks, canal heritage, independent shops and easy access to cycling and boat trips.
Well-kept Victorian park with broad lawns, flower beds, mature trees and links to the castle and city walls.
Historic shopping street lined with timber-framed buildings, independent businesses and one of Exeter’s most distinctive walks.
A cider brandy from nearby Topsham, distilled from West Country cider apples. It is a long-standing Devon drink linked to the area’s orchards.
Traditional Devon split bread roll filled with thick slices of cured ham. It is a classic county snack and picnic staple around Exeter.
Sweet fried dough pieces once sold at Devon fairs, often dusted with sugar. They are a nostalgic West Country treat associated with local baking.
Stylish city-centre restaurant serving modern British cooking with Devon produce. Smart but approachable setting for a more refined meal.
Historic quayside pub known for pies, British classics and local drinks. Relaxed atmosphere in one of Exeter’s most characterful old buildings.
Lively indoor market food hall with several independent traders. Good for sampling local produce, casual meals and coffee in a social setting.
Moderate for the UK: stays and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain manageable for most visitors.
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Cafés: rounding up is fine. Taxis: round up or add about 10% for good service.
Official public transport app
Exeter St Davids -> Exeter city centre
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.

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.
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 options are available at Salisbury.
Wi-Fi is available at Salisbury. ATMs are available at Salisbury.
Ticket office support is available at Salisbury. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 0800 5282100.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Salisbury: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Salisbury: Bike Parking.
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.
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.
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