4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cardiff to Exeter
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Exeter among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €15 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 39m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €15, while a train costs an average of €44.
Distance: 54 miles (88 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€15 Average price Cheapest | €44 Average price | €33 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 3m Average total duration 3h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 39m Average total duration Fastest 2h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 6m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular train 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 Cardiff to Exeter:
A bus is €29 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Exeter costing on average €44.
Other travel options to Exeter take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 3m.
Tickets start at around €15 compared to roughly €33 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €18. The journey takes 3h 33m versus 2h 6m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
Travel optionsfrom Cardiff to Exeter
How to get from Cardiff to Exeter by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cardiff to Exeter is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus · FlixBus6:10 PM4h35Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)10:45 PMExeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court€171One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
- FlixBus · FlixBus6:10 PM4h35Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)10:45 PMExeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court€171One-way1 transfer
Fastest
W35191+W298782:41 PM2h06Cardiff Central (CDF)4:47 PMExeter St Davids (EXD)€771One-way1 transfer
Other options
- C42438+G0113910:00 AM2h24Cardiff Central (CDF)12:24 PMExeter St Davids (EXD)€621One-way1 transfer
- C424379:00 AM2h22Cardiff Central (CDF)11:22 AMExeter St Davids (EXD)€761One-way0 transfers
- C424421:00 PM2h23Cardiff Central (CDF)3:23 PMExeter St Davids (EXD)€761One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus · FlixBus12:40 PM3h50Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)4:30 PMExeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court€181One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus · FlixBus4:40 PM4h45Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)9:25 PMExeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court€211One-way1 transfer
- NX202 · NX1018:40 AM4h00Cardiff, Sophia Gardens12:40 PMExeter, Honiton Road€221One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Cardiff to Exeter
Travel to Exeter easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Cardiff to Exeter.
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Exeter:
A bus is €29 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Exeter costing on average €44.
Other travel options to Exeter take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 3m.
- Around 19 trains per day.
- Around 10 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cardiff and Exeter as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Cardiff Central (CDF) and arrive in Exeter St Davids (EXD).
- Buses mostly depart from Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) and arrive in Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court.
- Travel with National Express, Megabus, FlixBus to go to Exeter by bus.
- Travel with CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) to go to Exeter by train.
- 2 direct trains per day with Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR).
Travelling from Cardiff to Exeter: related information
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