- 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 18
$6
Average ticket price on Sep 18
$6
Fastest journey on Sep 18
38 m
Average journey duration on Sep 18
38 m
Trains on Sep 18
1
Distance
16 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Dawlish to Exeter is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Dawlish to Exeter will cost around $6 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $6.
On Fri, Sep 18, we found 1 trains from Dawlish to Exeter, including 1 direct services.
On Fri, Sep 18 the direct trains cover the 16 km distance in an average of 38 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 38 m .
On Fri, Sep 18 the slowest trains will take 38 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 Dawlish to Exeter among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $10 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 53m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $10, while a train costs an average of $10.
Distance: 9 miles (16 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$10 Average price Cheapest | $6 Average price (fuel + tolls) | |
53m Average total duration Fastest 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 31m Average total duration (door-to-door) | |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
You'll arrive about 8m sooner (23m by train vs 31m by car). Tickets start at around $10 (€8) compared to roughly $6 (€5) 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 Great Western Railway, Cross Country, Great Western Railway (GWR).
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 bus 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 Dawlish to Exeter run on average 21 times per day, taking around 23m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $10 (€8) if you book in advance.
There are 17 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:30, the last at 23:49. The fastest train covers the 9 miles (16 km) distance in 11m.
Distance 9 miles (16 km) |
Average train duration 23m |
Cheapest ticket price $10 (€8) |
Trains per day 21 |
Direct trains 17 |
Fastest train 11m |
First train 12:30 AM |
Last train 11:49 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 4 days |
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 Dawlish 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 Dawlish to Exeter trains use the Dawlish to Exeter St Davids station pair, with some services arriving at Exeter St Thomas. Use this guide to compare Dawlish and Exeter train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Dawlish has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Dawlish.
Wi-Fi is available at Dawlish.
Ticket office support is available at Dawlish.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dawlish: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Dawlish: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dawlish: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access note: Step free category B3 station. Step free access available only to Exeter bound platform, there is no step free access to Plymouth bound platform, 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, Wheelchairs available open hours: During normal staffed hours, 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.
St James' Park has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking, and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at St James' Park.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at St James' Park: Parking.
Available at St James' Park: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at St James' Park: 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.
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