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Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Southampton to Exeter
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Southampton to Exeter among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $45 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 48m. 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 train costs an average of $45, while a bus costs an average of $74.
Distance: 93 miles (151 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$45 Average price Cheapest | $74 Average price | $39 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 48m Average total duration Fastest 2h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 1m Average total duration 4h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 41m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.4kg 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 Southampton to Exeter:
A train is $29 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Southampton to Exeter costing on average $74.
Other travel options to Exeter take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 1m.
You'll arrive about 23m sooner (2h 18m by train vs 2h 41m by car). Tickets start at around $45 compared to roughly $39 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.
Travel optionsfrom Southampton to Exeter
How to get from Southampton to Exeter by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Southampton to Exeter is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
C33097+L79386+C480321:57 PM3h34Southampton Central (SOU)5:31 PMExeter St Thomas (EXT)$431One-way2 transfers
Cheapest
- C33097+L79386+C480321:57 PM3h34Southampton Central (SOU)5:31 PMExeter St Thomas (EXT)$431One-way2 transfers
Fastest
- W35001+L7937412:57 PM2h45Southampton Central (SOU)3:42 PMExeter St Davids (EXD)$701One-way1 transfer
Other options
- W35001+L79374+C4802712:57 PM3h34Southampton Central (SOU)4:31 PMExeter St Thomas (EXT)$431One-way2 transfers
- C33097+L793861:57 PM2h45Southampton Central (SOU)4:42 PMExeter St Davids (EXD)$701One-way1 transfer
G00874+W3481212:15 PM2h54Southampton Central (SOU)3:09 PMExeter St Davids (EXD)$1871One-way1 transfer
- NX032 · NX4068:30 PM6h30Southampton, Coach Station3:00 AMExeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court$721One-way1 transfer
- NX032 · NX4067:15 PM7h45Southampton, University3:00 AMExeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court$721One-way1 transfer
- NX032 · NX5015:40 AM6h30Southampton, University12:10 PMExeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court$801One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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FAQs: Travel from Southampton 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 Southampton to Exeter.
This is compared to other travel options from Southampton to Exeter:
A train is $29 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Southampton to Exeter costing on average $74.
Other travel options to Exeter take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 1m.
- Around 21 trains per day.
- Around 12 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Southampton and Exeter as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Southampton Central (SOU) and arrive in Exeter St Davids (EXD).
- Buses mostly depart from Southampton, Coach Station and arrive in Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court.
- Ferries mostly depart from Lymington Pier and arrive in Yarmouth.
- Travel with South Western Railway, Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) to go to Exeter by train.
- Travel with National Express, Bluestar to go to Exeter by bus.
Travelling from Southampton to Exeter: related information
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