- 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
€27
Average price
€46
Fastest journey
1 h 54 m
Average duration
1 h 55 m
Trains per day
12
Distance
127 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Salisbury to Exeter is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Salisbury to Exeter will cost around €46 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €27.
Of the 12 trains that leave Salisbury for Exeter on Wed, Aug 05, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 05 the direct trains cover the 127 km distance in an average of 1 h 55 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 54 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest trains will take 1 h 56 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.
L79342
L79352
L79363
L79315
L79329
L79363
L79352
L79342
L79315
L79329Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Salisbury to Exeter among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €17. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 4m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €17, and a bus costs an average of €19.
Distance: 78 miles (127 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€26 Average price Cheapest | €27 Average price | €27 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 34m Average total duration Fastest 2h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 18m Average total duration 2h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 14m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Salisbury to Exeter:
A train is €0.05 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Salisbury to Exeter costing on average €27.
Other travel options to Exeter take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 48m.
The journey is about 10m faster (2h 4m by train vs 2h 14m by car) and roughly €0.70 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (€26 vs €27). 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 South Western Railway.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Salisbury to Exeter trains for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L79315 | 8:47 AM Salisbury station (SAL) | 1h56 | 10:43 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L79315+ C48004 | 8:47 AM Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h45 | 11:32 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 1 transfer | |
L79329 | 9:47 AM Salisbury station (SAL) | 1h56 | 11:43 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L79329+ C48010 | 9:47 AM Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h45 | 12:32 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 1 transfer | |
L79342 | 10:47 AM Salisbury station (SAL) | 1h55 | 12:42 PM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L79342+ C48015 | 10:47 AM Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h44 | 1:31 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 1 transfer | |
G15520 · G14979 · C48015 | 11:08 AM Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h23 | 1:31 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 2 transfers | |
G15520 · G14979 | 11:08 AM Salisbury station (SAL) | 1h59 | 1:07 PM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 1 transfer | |
L79352 | 11:47 AM Salisbury station (SAL) | 1h55 | 1:42 PM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L79352+ C48021 | 11:47 AM Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h44 | 2:31 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 1 transfer | |
L79363 | 12:48 PM Salisbury station (SAL) | 1h54 | 2:42 PM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L79363+ C48025 | 12:48 PM Salisbury station (SAL) | 2h44 | 3:32 PM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 1 transfer | |
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 Salisbury to Exeter run on average 21 times per day, taking around 2h 4m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €17 if you book in advance.
There are 9 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:10, the last at 23:04. The fastest train covers the 78 miles (127 km) distance in 1h 54m.
Distance 78 miles (127 km) |
Average train duration 2h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price €17 |
Trains per day 21 |
Direct trains 9 |
Fastest train 1h 54m |
First train 4:10 AM |
Last train 11:04 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 21 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 Salisbury 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 Salisbury to Exeter trains use the Salisbury to Exeter St Davids station pair, with some services arriving at Exeter Central. Use this guide to compare Salisbury and Exeter train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Salisbury has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Salisbury.
Wi-Fi is available at Salisbury. ATMs are available at Salisbury.
Ticket office support is available at Salisbury. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 0800 5282100.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Salisbury: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Salisbury: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Salisbury: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category B Station - There is step free access to all platforms. Access to platforms 5 (for trains to Cardiff and the West of England) and 6 (for some services to Basingstoke and London Waterloo) are via level access. Access to all other platforms is via a subway with steep ramps. A staff operated powered wheelchair is available for customers who have difficulty using the ramps. Please speak to our assisted travel team or a member of station staff. Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, 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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