- 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.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
$329
Average ticket price on Sep 20
$352
Fastest journey on Sep 20
3 h 34 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
3 h 35 m
Trains on Sep 20
13
Distance
316 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chesterfield to Exeter is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Chesterfield to Exeter will cost around $352 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $329.
On Sun, Sep 20, we found 13 trains from Chesterfield to Exeter, including 11 direct services.
On Sun, Sep 20 the direct trains cover the 316 km distance in an average of 3 h 35 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 34 m .
On Sun, Sep 20 the slowest trains will take 3 h 36 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.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chesterfield to Exeter among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $57 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 16m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $57, while a flight costs an average of $457.
Distance: 196 miles (316 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$150 Average price | $57 Average price Cheapest | $457 Average price | $82 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 28m Average total duration 3h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 18m Average total duration 8h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 16m Average total duration Fastest 2h 16m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 3m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Chesterfield to Exeter:
A bus is $94 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chesterfield to Exeter costing on average $150.
A bus is $400 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chesterfield to Exeter costing on average $457.
Other travel options to Exeter take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 58m.
Bus takes on average 8h 48m.
You'll arrive about 5m sooner (3h 58m by train vs 4h 3m by car). Tickets start at around $150 compared to roughly $82 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Direct services run with CrossCountry.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
Compare train and flight 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 Chesterfield to Exeter run on average 10 times per day, taking around 3h 58m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $50 but you can travel from only $31 by bus.
There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:42, the last at 19:27. The fastest train covers the 196 miles (316 km) distance in 3h 36m.
Distance 196 miles (316 km) |
Average train duration 3h 58m |
Cheapest ticket price $50 |
Trains per day 10 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 3h 36m |
First train 12:42 AM |
Last train 7:27 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Discover the best of Exeter — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Exeter trip today.
Excellent city museum and gallery with archaeology, natural history, and world cultures; the best all-round museum in Exeter.
Interactive museum inside a working paper mill where visitors learn traditional papermaking and local industrial heritage.
Small independent museum in a Tudor merchant’s house, showing Topsham’s river trade, local stories, and period interiors.
Medieval city wall segment and gardens offering one of Exeter’s best walks, with lawns, ruins, and broad urban views.
Historic quay lined with warehouses, canal heritage, walks, and waterside activity; one of Exeter’s most characterful areas.
Attractive urban park beside the cathedral, ideal for relaxing and appreciating surrounding historic buildings in the city centre.
A rich Devon cream made from slowly heated milk. It is a county staple, famously served on scones in a Devon cream tea.
Traditional Devon cream tea pairs scones with jam and clotted cream, with cream spread before jam in the local style.
A hearty baked pudding of layers of potato, onion, and lamb or beef. It is a long-standing Devon farmhouse dish.
Fine dining restaurant known for refined modern British tasting menus and polished service in central Exeter.
Popular modern eatery with seasonal small plates, brunch, and a lively casual atmosphere near the city centre.
Historic quayside pub serving local ales and British classics in a characterful former warehouse by the water.
Moderate for the UK: hotels and dining are mid-priced, buses are reasonable, and attractions are often low-cost versus larger UK tourist cities.
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Taxis: round up or add 10%. Cafes: tipping is optional, small change appreciated.
Official public transport app
Exeter St Davids -> Exeter Central Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chesterfield 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 Chesterfield to Exeter trains use the Chesterfield to Exeter St Davids station pair, with some services arriving at Exeter St Thomas. Use this guide to compare Chesterfield and Exeter train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Chesterfield is 1 km from Chesterfield city centre. Public transport options include:
Chesterfield has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Chesterfield.
ATMs are available at Chesterfield.
Ticket office support is available at Chesterfield. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 08000 11 33 23, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Chesterfield: Parking, WC.
Available at Chesterfield: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Chesterfield: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A. This station has step free access. There is a subway and lift to platforms. This station has tactile paving at the edge of all platforms, also at the foot and top of each stairwell, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, 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.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need