The cheapest and fastest trains from Watford to Exeter
Cheapest price
£55
Average price
£58
Fastest journey
4 h 45 m
Average duration
6 h 6 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
242 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Watford to Exeter is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Watford to Exeter will cost around £58 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £55.
Of the 3 trains that leave Watford for Exeter every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 242 km distance in an average of 6 h 6 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 45 m .
The slowest trains will take 8 h 5 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.






Live departures
Watford to Exeter train times
The table below shows live departures for Watford to Exeter trains for tomorrow, Saturday 8 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 04:57 Watford | 4h45 | 09:42 Exeter | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Watford 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.
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Journey information
Overview: Train from Watford to Exeter
Trains from Watford to Exeter run on average 8 times per day, taking around 3h 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £37 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 00:42, the last at 23:09. The fastest train covers the 242 km distance in 3h 33m.
Distance 242 km |
Average train duration 3h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price £37 |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 3h 33m |
First train 00:42 |
Last train 23:09 |
Train companies: South Western Railway, Great Western Rail from Watford to Exeter trainsSouth Western Railway, Great Western Rail trains will get you between Watford and Exeter from £37. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
South Western Railway
Great Western Rail
FAQs: Watford to Exeter train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Watford 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.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Watford and Exeter
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:45 - 21:00 Saturday 08:15 - 15:15 Sunday 09:15 - 16:30
- Type of shops available: News agent
- Car Park: Bushey Station
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Accessibility category C. This station does not have step-free access
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station
- Accessible taxis: contact taxi operator directly
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: No
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: behind the Ticket Office
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from information point
- Helpline Contact: 0343 222 1234
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Use Bus stop A in Pinner Road for northbound services to Watford Junction Use Bus stop A in Pinner Road for southbound services to Harrow & Wealdstone
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 07:30 - 10:00 Saturday 09:30 - 12:15
- Type of shops available: High Street shops located nearby
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Level access to ticket office from street. Single island platform, accessible from entrance by staircase only
- Accessible taxis: Contact taxi operator directly
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: No
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Use Bus stop A in Lower High Street for northbound services to Watford Junction Use Bus stop B in Lower High Street for southbound services to Harrow & Wealdstone
- Metro: Watford London Underground station (Metropolitan line) is approximately 34 minutes' walk away
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:30 - 23:00 Saturday 05:30 - 23:00 Sunday 06:30 - 22:30 Booking Office and Travel Centre
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station
- Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are accessible on platform 6
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Ticket Vending Machines are located in the Booking Hall.
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 6. The toilet facilities are available: Monday - Sunday 04:00-23:00. The National key toilets are located on the Main Concourse; these toilets are operated by a RADAR key. A RADAR key is available from station staff upon request. The National key toilet facilities are available: Monday - Saturday 04:00-14:00 and Sunday 06:00-14:00.
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Baby changing facilities location: Female toilets
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: Station forecourt
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0800 0248 997
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: In the event of engineering the bus/coach will collect from bay 1 of the bus station at the side of the railway station.
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available
- Accessible ticket machines: There are no accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: No
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0800 0248 997
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Towards Watford - Public Service bus stop A/Rail Replacement bus stop on Bushey Mill Lane between level crossing and junction of Southfield Avenue. Towards St Albans - Public Service bus stop B/Rail Replacement bus stop on Bushey Mill Lane between level crossing and opposite Sandown Road junction.
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 07:50 - 18:15 Saturday 07:50 - 18:15 Sunday 09:30 - 16:30
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Taxi: Yes
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available
- 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
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 2. The National key toilets are operated by a RADAR key. The RADAR key is available from station staff upon request.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The radar key is available from station staff.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Both platforms
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Bus stop at the front of the station on Queens Street
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:45 - 20:40 Saturday 06:15 - 20:00 Sunday 07:30 - 20:40 Reservations and tickets requiring reservations are sold at the following times only: Weekdays (Mon-Fri) 08:45 - 19:40, Saturday 08:45 - 18:30 Sunday 10:00 - 17:30
- Type of shops available: WHSmith
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- 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
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platforms 1 and 5. The National key toilets are operated by a RADAR key. The RADAR key is available from station staff upon request.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The radar key is available from station staff.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Platform 1 and adjacent entrance
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Front of the station
- Car Park: No
- 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
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: Bottom of stairs leading to platform 1.
- Storage CCTV: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: To Exeter St Davids: Cowick Street bus stop by shopping precint. To Newton Abbot: Cowick Street bus stop outside the station
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access note: Step Free Category B3 Station - This station has a degree of step free access to the platforms, however the Exeter bound platform cannot be accessed step free and the Exmouth bound platform can be accessed step free but only via a very steep ramp.
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage CCTV: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Bus Stops on the Old Tiverton Road (Nearest to St James Road)
More options for your journey from Watford to Exeter
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