How to get to Exeter - Getting to Exeter by plane, train, bus or car

1. Tips for studying abroad in Exeter
2. Cost of living in Exeter
3. Saving money in Exeter - tips for living on a student budget
4. How to get to Exeter- Getting to Exeter by plane, train, bus or car
5. Public transport in Exeter - Getting around Exeter
6. Accommodation for students in Exeter - Top tips and advices
7. Exeter neighborhoods - The most important districts of Exeter
8. Nightlife in Exeter - Nightclub guide and going out in Exeter
9. British cuisine - The gastronomy of Britain and traditional dishes
10. Where to eat in Exeter - British cuisine and gastronomy in Exeter
11. Top Exeter attractions - The best things to do in Exeter
12. Festivals in Exeter - Festivals and events in Exeter and the South West
13. Day trips from Exeter - Places to visit and excursions around Exeter
14. Exeter in 3 Days - What to see in Exeter in 3 days

Exeter is situated in the south-west of England, about 178 miles away from London. Whilst the city may seem a bit out of the way, it’s easy to get to, and there are various modes of transport you can take to get there, whether it be by plane, car, bus or boat.

Getting to Exeter by plane

London Heathrow

This is probably the best way to get to Exeter if you’re coming from abroad. For many Erasmus students, the best option is to fly to London Heathrow Airport. Being the UK’s most popular airport, Heathrow flies just about anywhere. From here, you can take a direct National Express coach down to Exeter, which takes between 3 and 4 hours. The University also organises its own coach service down to Exeter from Heathrow airport (only available for students coming in September). This service costs £40.

London Gatwick

If you fly to London Gatwick airport, you can take the train down to Exeter, with one change at Reading. The total journey time is about 3.5 hours. You can also get the coach from Gatwick, changing at Heathrow airport (total journey time about 5 hours). If you do choose to fly to London before making your way down to Exeter, Heathrow is definitely the better option out of the two as it flies to more destinations and has more direct transport links.

Exeter Airport

Exeter also has two nearby airports: Exeter airport and Bristol Airport.

Exeter airport is located about 8 miles from the centre of Exeter, and serves several international destinations. From there, you can either take a taxi or bus to the city (journey time in a taxi is around 30 minutes, about 50 minutes on the bus). A taxi from the airport to the city centre will cost around £30, and the bus cost about £6). Bear in mind that this airport is only small, and there are fewer flights during the winter months.

Bristol Airport

Bristol airport is further away (about 70 miles) but is a larger airport serving more destinations. If you fly to here, you can take a coach with National Express to Exeter, which takes about 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take the shuttle bus to Bristol Central train station and from there the train down to Exeter - this is the more expensive option of the two, but it takes less time (about 1.5 hours).

Getting to Exeter by train

If you arrive at London St. Pancras International train station, you can take the underground to London Paddington, and from there the train down to Exeter. The total journey time from St. Pancras to Exeter is about 3 hours.

Getting to Exter by ferry

If you want to bring your car to Exeter and are coming from France, Spain or their neighbouring countries, going by ferry is a good idea. The nearest ferry port to Exeter is Plymouth, which is just 1 hour away by car. You can sail to Plymouth from Santander in Spain, or from Roscoff in France.

Alternatively, there is the harbour in Portsmouth, which you can take a ferry to from Le Havre, Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo, Santander and Bilbao. From Portsmouth harbour to Exeter it takes just under 3 hours by car.

Brittany Ferries run all these routes.

Getting to Exeter by car

If you’re coming from France or Belgium and want to bring your car when coming to Exeter, the Eurotunnel may be a good option. For as little as 100€, you can bring your car and as much luggage as you can fit in it. The transfer from Calais to Folkestone takes as little as 35 minutes, and from there the drive down to Exeter is about 4.5 hours.

• Continue to Public transport in Exeter - Getting around Exeter
• Return to Saving money in Exeter - tips for living on a student budget

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