- 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
€10
Average price
€11
Fastest journey
40 m
Average duration
49 m
Trains per day
18
Distance
32 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Paignton to Exeter is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Paignton to Exeter will cost around €11 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €10.
Of the 18 trains that leave Paignton for Exeter on Tue, Aug 04, 14 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Aug 04 the direct trains cover the 32 km distance in an average of 49 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 40 m .
On Tue, Aug 04 the slowest trains will take 54 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.
Y41873 · W34559
Y41873+
G00869_G01067+
C47995
Y41873
Y80248
G15229
Y41873+
G00869_G01067
Y41870
Y41873+
G00869_G01067+
C47995
G15229
Y41870Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Paignton to Exeter among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €6. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 48m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €6, and a train costs an average of €10.
Distance: 19 miles (32 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€10 Average price | €8 Average price Cheapest | €7 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 18m Average total duration Fastest 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 42m Average total duration 1h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 41m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Paignton to Exeter:
A bus is €2 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Paignton to Exeter costing on average €10.
Other travel options to Exeter take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 12m.
Tickets start at around €10 compared to roughly €7 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €-3.06. The journey takes 48m versus 41m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Paignton to Exeter trains for tomorrow, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Y41870 | 8:15 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 0h54 | 9:09 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y41870 | 8:15 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 0h49 | 9:04 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y41870 | 8:15 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 1h07 | 9:22 AM St James' Park (SJP) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y41873+ G00869_G01067 | 8:45 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 0h40 | 9:25 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 1 transfer | |
Y41873 · W34559 | 8:45 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 0h55 | 9:40 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 1 transfer | |
Y41873+ G00869_G01067+ C47995 | 8:45 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 0h50 | 9:35 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 2 transfers | |
Y41873 | 8:45 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 1h06 | 9:51 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G15229 | 9:16 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 0h55 | 10:11 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G15229 | 9:16 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 0h50 | 10:06 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G15229 | 9:16 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 1h05 | 10:21 AM St James' Park (SJP) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y80241 | 9:45 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 1h02 | 10:47 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y80241 | 9:45 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 0h54 | 10:39 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y80244 · C48004 | 10:24 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 1h08 | 11:32 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 1 transfer | |
Y80244 | 10:24 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 0h57 | 11:21 AM St James' Park (SJP) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y80248 | 10:41 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 1h01 | 11:42 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y80251 | 11:20 AM Paignton station (PGN) | 1h01 | 12:21 PM St James' Park (SJP) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y80257 | 12:20 PM Paignton station (PGN) | 1h00 | 1:20 PM St James' Park (SJP) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y80263 | 1:20 PM Paignton station (PGN) | 1h01 | 2:21 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 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 Paignton to Exeter run on average 19 times per day, taking around 48m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €10 but you can travel from only €6 by bus.
There are 15 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 23:21. The fastest train covers the 19 miles (32 km) distance in 45m.
Distance 19 miles (32 km) |
Average train duration 48m |
Cheapest ticket price €10 |
Trains per day 19 |
Direct trains 15 |
Fastest train 45m |
First train 12:02 AM |
Last train 11:21 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Thu |
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 Paignton 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 Paignton to Exeter trains use the Paignton to Exeter St Davids station pair, with some services arriving at Exeter Central. Use this guide to compare Paignton and Exeter train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Paignton has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Paignton.
Ticket office support is available at Paignton.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Paignton: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Paignton: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Paignton: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access note: Step Free Category B1 Station Step free access available to both platforms, access between platforms via level crossing to the north of the station. 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: The public phones are not accessible, Accessible taxis: Contact local taxi companies for details of accessible taxis or member of staff, 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 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.
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.
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