- Must visit
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
Exeter’s main museum and gallery, covering local history, world cultures, natural history, and changing exhibitions in a landmark Victorian building.
Cheapest price
$78
Average price
$132
Fastest journey
2 h 31 m
Average duration
2 h 37 m
Trains per day
37
Distance
230 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from London Heathrow Airport to Exeter is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London Heathrow Airport to Exeter will cost around $132 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $78.
It's difficult to get from London Heathrow Airport to Exeter without transferring at least once.
C38025 · C37214+
W34848
C38025 · C37214+
W34848
G14988+
W10949
W34848+
W10961
W34848+
W10961
W34791+
W10829
W34791+
W10829
W34791+
C38179 · C37160
W10865+
W34809
W10853+
G14983Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from London Heathrow Airport to Exeter among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $17. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 34m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $17, and a flight costs an average of $163.
Distance: 142 miles (230 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$105 Average price | $26 Average price Cheapest | $432 Average price | $75 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 4m Average total duration Fastest 2h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 36m Average total duration 4h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 32m Average total duration 7h 32m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 4m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from London Heathrow Airport to Exeter:
A bus is $79 (€65) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London Heathrow Airport to Exeter costing on average $105 (€86).
A bus is $405 (€333) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from London Heathrow Airport to Exeter costing on average $432 (€354).
Other travel options to Exeter take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 6m.
Flight takes on average 7h 32m.
You'll arrive about 30m sooner (2h 34m by train vs 3h 4m by car). Tickets start at around $105 (€86) compared to roughly $75 (€61) 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.
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.
The table below shows live departures for London Heathrow Airport to Exeter trains for today, Sunday, July 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:20 AM London Heathrow Airport | 4h34 | 11:54 AM Exeter | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:51 AM London Heathrow Airport | 3h18 | 12:09 PM Exeter | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:09 AM London Heathrow Airport | 3h00 | 12:09 PM Exeter | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:25 AM London Heathrow Airport | 2h44 | 12:09 PM Exeter | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:39 AM London Heathrow Airport | 3h20 | 12:59 PM Exeter | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:12 AM London Heathrow Airport | 2h58 | 2:10 PM Exeter | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:47 AM London Heathrow Airport | 3h22 | 3:09 PM Exeter | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:36 PM London Heathrow Airport | 4h14 | 8:50 PM Exeter | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, 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 London Heathrow Airport to Exeter run on average 23 times per day, taking around 2h 34m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $67 (€55) but you can travel from only $17 (€14) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 07:20, the last at 22:51. The fastest train covers the 142 miles (230 km) distance in 2h 38m.
Distance 142 miles (230 km) |
Average train duration 2h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price $67 (€55) |
Trains per day 23 |
Fastest train 2h 38m |
First train 7:20 AM |
Last train 10:51 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Discover the best of Exeter — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Exeter trip today.
Exeter’s main museum and gallery, covering local history, world cultures, natural history, and changing exhibitions in a landmark Victorian building.
University museum with one of the United Kingdom’s most important collections on the history of cinema and moving images.
Former medieval priory house with period rooms and interpretation about Tudor and later Exeter life; one of the city’s oldest buildings.
Waterside area with historic warehouses, level walking and cycling routes, canal views, and one of the city’s most popular leisure settings.
One of England’s oldest public open spaces, combining landscaped walks, monuments, city wall remains, and elevated views.
Broad grassy square facing Exeter Cathedral, ideal for photos and people-watching, and central to the city’s historic atmosphere.
Fresh scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam, a classic Devon ritual traditionally assembled cream first. It is one of the county’s most iconic treats.
A soft enriched bread roll, often filled with jam and clotted cream. This old-fashioned Devon specialty is closely associated with local bakeries and teatime.
A historic local pasty linked to Exeter’s old butchers and traders, usually filled with meat and vegetables in pastry. It reflects the city’s traditional working-food heritage.
Long-established independent restaurant known for modern British cooking, polished service, and a refined yet relaxed city-centre atmosphere.
Well-known Exeter institution serving crowd-pleasing modern European dishes, steaks, and cocktails in a lively, stylish setting.
Respected gastropub near the cathedral area, popular for elevated British pub food, Sunday roasts, and a comfortable traditional atmosphere.
Generally cheaper than London. Hotels can rise in summer, but meals, coffee, and local transport are usually manageable for most visitors.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is appreciated if service is good and no service charge is added. Round up for taxis. Little or none is expected in pubs, cafés, or for counter service.
Official public transport app
Exeter St Davids, Exeter -> Exeter City Centre, Exeter
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London Heathrow Airport 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 London Heathrow Airport to Exeter trains use the London Paddington to Exeter St Davids station pair, with some services arriving at Exeter St Thomas. Use this guide to compare London Heathrow Airport and Exeter train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need