Barnstaple to Exeter train with Great Western Railway

Sat, Sep 19
+ Add return
Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
iryo
2,000+ travel companies
Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
iryo
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Barnstaple to Exeter

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for Sep 19

Cheapest price on Sep 19

$12

Average ticket price on Sep 19

$13

Fastest journey on Sep 19

55 m

Average journey duration on Sep 19

1 h 3 m

Trains on Sep 19

23

Distance

54 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Barnstaple to Exeter will cost around $13 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $12.

Fast trains

On Sat, Sep 19, we found 23 trains from Barnstaple to Exeter, including 9 direct services.

On Sat, Sep 19 the direct trains cover the 54 km distance in an average of 1 h 3 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 55 m .

On Sat, Sep 19 the slowest trains will take 1 h 6 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.

  • Great Western RailwayC01598 · C47989
    6:31 AM1h39
    Barnstaple station (BNP)
    8:10 AMExeter St Thomas (EXT)
    $121One-way
    1 transfer
  • Great Western RailwayC42672 · C48011
    10:35 AM1h57
    Barnstaple station (BNP)
    12:32 PMExeter St Thomas (EXT)
    $121One-way
    1 transfer
  • Great Western RailwayC01604 · C48005
    9:35 AM1h57
    Barnstaple station (BNP)
    11:32 AMExeter St Thomas (EXT)
    $121One-way
    1 transfer
  • Great Western RailwayC01607 · C48016
    11:35 AM2h03
    Barnstaple station (BNP)
    1:38 PMExeter St Thomas (EXT)
    $121One-way
    1 transfer
  • Great Western RailwayC01600 · C47996
    7:26 AM2h06
    Barnstaple station (BNP)
    9:32 AMExeter St Thomas (EXT)
    $121One-way
    1 transfer

Travel Information

Compare bus and train for Barnstaple to Exeter

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Barnstaple to Exeter among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $12 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 39m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.0kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $12, while a bus costs an average of $47.

Distance: 33 miles (54 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

$12

Average price

Cheapest

$47

Average price

$16

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

1h 39m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 9m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 0m

Average total duration

2h 30m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 12m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.0 - 0.0kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.1 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Great Western Railway

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Barnstaple to Exeter is a train with an average price of $12 (€10).

This is compared to other travel options from Barnstaple to Exeter:

A train is $35 (€28) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Barnstaple to Exeter costing on average $47 (€39).

The fastest way to travel from Barnstaple to Exeter is by train with an average journey time of 1h 9m.

Other travel options to Exeter take longer:

Bus takes on average 2h 30m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Barnstaple and Exeter including taking a bus and train.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Barnstaple to Exeter among Omio's users.
Take the train. On this route, it beats driving on both time and money.

The journey is about 3m faster (1h 9m by train vs 1h 12m by car) and roughly $3 (€3) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($12 (€10) vs $16 (€13)). 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 Great Western Railway (GWR).

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

Live departures

Barnstaple to Exeter train times

The table below shows live departures for Barnstaple to Exeter trains for tomorrow, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Great Western RailwayY41844
On time
12:07 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
0h55
1:02 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD)
0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayC01598 · C479896:31 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h39
8:10 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayC01598 · Y418626:31 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h21
7:52 AM St James' Park (SJP)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayC01600 · C479967:26 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
2h06
9:32 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayC01600 · C424737:26 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h54
9:20 AM St James' Park (SJP)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayC01602 · C480018:34 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h59
10:33 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayC016028:34 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h08
9:42 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD)0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayC01602 · C424758:34 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h49
10:23 AM St James' Park (SJP)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayC01604 · C480059:35 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h57
11:32 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayC01604 · Y802469:35 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h48
11:23 AM St James' Park (SJP)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayC016049:35 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h06
10:41 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD)0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayC42672 · C4801110:35 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h57
12:32 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayC42672 · C0369010:35 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h36
12:11 PM St James' Park (SJP)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayC4267210:35 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h04
11:39 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD)0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayC01607 · C4801611:35 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
2h03
1:38 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayC01607 · V2938211:35 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h37
1:12 PM St James' Park (SJP)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayC0160711:35 AM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h06
12:41 PM Exeter St Davids (EXD)0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayV29378 · C4802212:32 PM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h59
2:31 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayV2937812:32 PM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h09
1:41 PM Exeter St Davids (EXD)0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayV2937812:32 PM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h17
1:49 PM St James' Park (SJP)0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayV293771:35 PM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h06
2:41 PM Exeter St Davids (EXD)0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayV29377 · C480261:35 PM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h56
3:31 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayV293771:35 PM Barnstaple station (BNP)
1h15
2:50 PM St James' Park (SJP)0 transfersDirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Barnstaple to Exeter by bus or train

Compare bus and 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.

Sat
Sep 19
Sun
Sep 20
Mon
Sep 21
Tue
Sep 22
Wed
Sep 23
Thu
Sep 24
Fri
Sep 25

Why should you book Barnstaple to Exeter trains with Omio?

Great Western Railway operates all trains services from Barnstaple to Exeter.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Barnstaple to Exeter.

Why book with Omio vs Great Western Railway?

  • 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 Great Western Railway with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Barnstaple to Exeter.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Barnstaple to Exeter.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Barnstaple to Exeter

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Barnstaple to Exeter run on average 12 times per day, taking around 1h 9m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $12 (€10) if you book in advance.

There are 6 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:09, the last at 23:13. The fastest train covers the 33 miles (54 km) distance in 1h 1m.

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
33 miles (54 km)
Average train duration
1h 9m
Cheapest ticket price
$12 (€10)
Trains per day
12
Direct trains
6
Fastest train
1h 1m
First train
12:09 AM
Last train
11:13 PM
Cheapest Month
Oct
Cheapest Day
Thu
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Apr - Jun
Busiest Day
Sun
Least Busy Day
Wed
Best time to book
1 day
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: Great Western Railway from Barnstaple to Exeter trainsGreat Western Railway trains will get you between Barnstaple and Exeter from $12 (€10). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

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
1h 1m
Cheapest Great Western Railway Price
$12 (€10)
Great Western Railway frequency
12 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

Excellent city museum and gallery with archaeology, natural history, and world cultures; the best all-round museum in Exeter.

  • Recommended

Topsham Museum and Paper Mill

Interactive museum inside a working paper mill where visitors learn traditional papermaking and local industrial heritage.

  • Recommended

Topsham Museum

Small independent museum in a Tudor merchant’s house, showing Topsham’s river trade, local stories, and period interiors.

British pound sterling (£)

Moderate for the UK: hotels and dining are mid-priced, buses are reasonable, and attractions are often low-cost versus larger UK tourist cities.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-12 for fast food or a simple meal.
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. Taxis: round up or add 10%. Cafes: tipping is optional, small change appreciated.

FAQs: Trains from Barnstaple to Exeter

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Barnstaple 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
Train ticket prices from Barnstaple to Exeter can vary. The cheapest ticket starts at $12 (€10), while the average price is around $12 (€10).
The train from Barnstaple to Exeter takes 1h 1m and runs 12 per day.
The distance by train from Barnstaple to Exeter is 33 miles (54 km).
The first train from Barnstaple to Exeter leaves at 12:09 AM.
The last train from Barnstaple to Exeter leaves at 11:13 PM.
There is no high speed train available from Barnstaple to Exeter.
Yes, there is a direct train from Barnstaple to Exeter. This service operates 6 times per day, provided by Great Western Railway (GWR).
Unfortunately, there is no night train available from Barnstaple to Exeter.
The train station in Barnstaple that goes to Exeter is Barnstaple station (BNP), which connects to Exeter St Davids (EXD).
The cheapest way to get from Barnstaple to Exeter is by train, with a cost of around $12 (€10).
The train journey from Barnstaple to Exeter is considered scenic, offering views of the picturesque countryside, rolling hills, and charming rural landscapes of North Devon.
Yes, a day trip from Barnstaple to Exeter is feasible. The journey takes 1h 1m and covers a distance of 33 miles (54 km). There are 17 trains available per day for this route.
Typically, spending 2 to 3 days in Exeter allows visitors to explore the city's historic sites, such as Exeter Cathedral, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, and the Quayside, while also enjoying local dining and shopping experiences.
Yes, you can take the train from Barnstaple to Exeter.
Since neither Barnstaple nor Exeter are in the Schengen Area, passport requirements depend on the specific immigration rules of United Kingdom and United Kingdom. Entry and visa requirements can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's embassy or consulate.
Popular day trips by train from Exeter include Bristol, Plymouth, Exmouth, Bath, Okehampton.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Barnstaple to Exeter among Omio's users.
Items not allowed on trains typically include hazardous materials such as explosives, flammable liquids, corrosive substances, and illegal drugs. Additionally, large or bulky items that may obstruct aisles or emergency exits, as well as pets without proper carriers, may be restricted. Specific prohibited items can vary by train operator and region, so please check the rules for your particular journey.
Yes, rail passes such as the BritRail Pass are valid on most trains within the United Kingdom, offering unlimited travel on participating train operators for a set period.
The currency used in the United Kingdom is the British Pound Sterling (GBP). For travelers, using a card is generally more convenient and widely accepted, especially in cities and for transportation tickets, though carrying some cash can be useful for small purchases or in rural areas.
In Exeter, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas like the city center and near popular attractions. Be wary of unofficial taxi services and always use licensed providers to avoid scams. Additionally, travelers should protect personal belongings on public transport and stay alert to common fraud attempts such as overcharging or counterfeit tickets.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from Barnstaple to Exeter

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

Departure train stations in Barnstaple
Arrival train stations in Exeter

Which Barnstaple station do trains to Exeter leave from?

Trains from Barnstaple to Exeter leave from Barnstaple. The station is 0 miles (1 km) from Barnstaple city centre at Barnstaple station, Station Road, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 2AU.
BarnstapleBarnstaple station, Station Road, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 2AU+44 3451652030ParkingDiningAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Barnstaple from Barnstaple city centre

Bus21, 21A, 372, 301, 71, 72, 319, 155, 15, 21B, 310, 309, 303, 19, 5B, 85 · 5m · $2 · every ~31 min
301, 921, 21B, 310, 309, 303, 19 · 9m · $2 · every ~14 min

Barnstaple train station facilities and services

Barnstaple has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Bike Rental.

Food and drink

Food options include: Station Masters Cafe

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Barnstaple.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Barnstaple: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Barnstaple: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Barnstaple: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step free Category A station - step free access available to the 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 car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, 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 toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

Most popular train connections from Barnstaple

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