4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from Exeter to London
Cheapest price
€73
Average price
€91
Fastest journey
2 h 12 m
Average duration
2 h 21 m
Trains per day
18
Distance
253 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Exeter to London is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Exeter to London will cost around €91 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €73.
Of the 18 trains that leave Exeter for London on Wed, Jan 07, 7 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jan 07 the direct trains cover the 253 km distance in an average of 2 h 21 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 12 m .
On Wed, Jan 07 the slowest trains will take 2 h 32 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.
P61187P61187
P31590+P61187P33336 · P31593 · P22602P23067 · P22601P22600P22602P22601P31590 · P22600P23067 · P22601
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Exeter to London
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Exeter to London among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €14. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 48m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €14, and a train costs an average of €25.
Distance: 253 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€59 Average price | €27 Average price Cheapest |
3h 18m Average total duration Fastest 2h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 24m Average total duration 4h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions |
Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Exeter to London train times
The table below shows live departures for Exeter to London trains for tomorrow, Wednesday, January 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P31223+ C75330+P22797 | On time 8:04 AM Exeter Central (EXC) | 3h16 | 11:20 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 2 transfers | |
| P31584+C75330+P22797 | On time 8:09 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 3h11 | 11:20 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 2 transfers | |
| P61176 | On time 8:24 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 3h25 | 11:49 AM London Waterloo (WAT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| C75330+P22797 | On time 8:27 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 2h53 | 11:20 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 1 transfer | |
| P61176 | On time 8:28 AM Exeter Central (EXC) | 3h21 | 11:49 AM London Waterloo (WAT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| P33333 · P22600 | On time 8:53 AM Exeter Central (EXC) | 2h35 | 11:28 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 1 transfer | |
| P31590 · P22600 | On time 9:05 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 2h23 | 11:28 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 1 transfer | |
| P31590+P61187 | On time 9:05 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 3h44 | 12:49 PM London Waterloo (WAT) | 1 transfer | |
| P31590+C75323_C75008+P22799 | On time 9:05 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 3h06 | 12:11 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 2 transfers | |
| P22600 | On time 9:16 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 2h12 | 11:28 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| P61187 | On time 9:25 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 3h24 | 12:49 PM London Waterloo (WAT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| P61187 | On time 9:30 AM Exeter Central (EXC) | 3h19 | 12:49 PM London Waterloo (WAT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| P23067 · P22601 | On time 9:34 AM Exeter Central (EXC) | 2h32 | 12:06 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 1 transfer | |
| P33336 · P31593 · P22602 | On time 9:36 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 2h53 | 12:29 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 2 transfers | |
| P22601 | On time 9:43 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 2h23 | 12:06 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| P33341 · P22602 | On time 9:52 AM Exeter Central (EXC) | 2h37 | 12:29 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 1 transfer | |
| P31597+C75334+P22801 | On time 10:06 AM Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 3h04 | 1:10 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 2 transfers | |
| P22602 | On time 10:15 AM Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 2h14 | 12:29 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Exeter to London by train or bus
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.
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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Exeter to London?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Exeter to London
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Exeter to London run on average 27 times per day, taking around 2h 48m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €25 but you can travel from only €14 by bus.
There are 11 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:57. The fastest train covers the 253 km distance in 2h 34m.
Distance 253 km |
Average train duration 2h 48m |
Cheapest ticket price €25 |
Trains per day 27 |
Direct trains 11 |
Fastest train 2h 34m |
First train 00:01 |
Last train 23:57 |
Train companies: South Western Railway, Great Western Rail, CrossCountry, first_great_western from Exeter to London trainsSouth Western Railway, Great Western Rail, CrossCountry, first_great_western trains will get you between Exeter and London from €14. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
South Western Railway
Great Western Rail
CrossCountry
first_great_western
Trains from Exeter to London
A scenic cathedral and university city in Devon, Exeter is a popular destination for travelers heading for the beaches and moors of the West Country. It's also a main rail hub for the region, with direct trains from Exeter to two London stations. The fastest trains from Exeter to London take around two hours and 15 minutes to reach the capital, with departures available from very early morning through to an overnight connection leaving after midnight.
Which train companies travel from Exeter to London?
Great Western Railway offers direct trains from Exeter to London Paddington. South Western Railway provides direct services from Exeter to London Waterloo. Additional indirect connections involve using Cross Country Trains departures from Exeter to Taunton connecting with Great Western Railway trains to London Paddington.
How long is the train from Exeter to London?
The fastest trains from Exeter to London are some Great Western Railway departures to London Paddington, taking two hours and 15 minutes to reach the capital. Most trains to Paddington take around 15 to 20 minutes longer, while South Western Railway services to London Waterloo take more than an hour longer to complete the 196 mile trip to London.
How many trains are there from Exeter to London?
Great Western Railway departures from Exeter to London Paddington operate hourly from very early in the morning until just before 9 p.m. There is also an overnight service to Paddington leaving just after 1:00 a.m. South Western Railways services to London Waterloo also operate hourly, from early morning until around 8:30 p.m. Sunday schedules offer a reduced frequency, with no early morning services.
What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Exeter to London?
Departure train station: Exeter St Davids is the main station in the city, located on the west side of the center, with bus connections available from stops at the front entrance. Facilities at the station include ATMs, free WiFi, a coffee shop, vending machines, and taxi stands.
Arrival train station: London Paddington Station is west of central London with transport links from bus stops on Praed Street and on five Underground lines. London Waterloo Station is on the south side of the city center with four Underground lines and an adjacent bus terminus. Both stations have restaurants, coffee shops, food stores, newsagents and taxi stands.
FAQs: Trains from Exeter to London
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Exeter to London 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 London, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
When departing from Exeter, you have various train station options to start your trip from including Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central. When arriving in London, you can end your trip in train stations like London Waterloo and London Paddington.
Passengers board the train most frequently from Exeter St Davids, which is located around 1.9 miles (3 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at London Waterloo, located 1.2 miles (2 km) away from the city centre.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Exeter to London
Wifi
Shopping
Parking
Dining
ATM
Accessibility
WC
Hotel
Lost and Found Office
Ticket Office
Bike Parking
Bike Rental
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:45 - 20:40 Saturday 06:15 - 20:00 Sunday 07:30 - 20:40 Reservations and tickets requiring reservations are sold at the following times only: Weekdays (Mon-Fri) 08:45 - 19:40, Saturday 08:45 - 18:30 Sunday 10:00 - 17:30
- Type of shops available: WHSmith
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- 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
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platforms 1 and 5. The National key toilets are operated by a RADAR key. The RADAR key is available from station staff upon request.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The radar key is available from station staff.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Platform 1 and adjacent entrance
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Front of the station
WifiShoppingParkingDiningTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 07:50 - 18:15 Saturday 07:50 - 18:15 Sunday 09:30 - 16:30
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Taxi: Yes
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available
- 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
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 2. The National key toilets are operated by a RADAR key. The RADAR key is available from station staff upon request.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The radar key is available from station staff.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Both platforms
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Bus stop at the front of the station on Queens Street
WifiParkingDiningAccessibilityHotelLost and Found OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental- Car Park: No
- 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
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: Bottom of stairs leading to platform 1.
- Storage CCTV: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: To Exeter St Davids: Cowick Street bus stop by shopping precint. To Newton Abbot: Cowick Street bus stop outside the station
Wifi
LockersShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotel
LoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental
Car Rental
Information Desk- 24/7
- Free Wi-Fi in the station.
- Luggage lockers are located near the taxi stand beside Platform 11.
- Type of shops available: News agent Flower stall Shoe repairer Wide range of shops Mini supermarket Pharmacy Convenience store High street shops Off Licence Passport Photo Booth
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Wasabi
- The Beer House
- Barburrito
- Upper Crust
- The Mad Bishop & Bear (Fullers)
- The Pasty Shop
- Burger King
- Pret a Manger
- The Savanna
- Soboro Bakery
- & more
- Taxi: The taxi deck is situated above Platform 12 and is accessed via the concourse and platform 12, which has escalators and lifts to the upper level to the covered marshalled taxi rank. A queuing system is in operation. There is also a separate collection point for pre-booked taxis and a drop off point
- Accessible taxis: All London Black Cabs can accommodate wheelchair passengers without wheelchair users having to leave their wheelchair. There is also a separate collection point for prebooked taxis also further away from the lifts.
- Wheelchair access, escalators, elevators.
- Toilets Location: Accessible toilets are located on Platforms' 1 and 12. A Changing Places facility is located on Platform 12. There are dedicated breastfeeding rooms / Parent & Baby rooms; within the Ladies toilets on Platform 1 within the public toilets on Platform 12.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: Accessible toilets are located on Platforms 1 and 12.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Hilton London Paddington
- Mercure London Paddington Hotel
- The Pilgrm
- Waiting rooms location: Platform 12
- 24/7
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: On platform 8/9 and 10
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Located near Platform 1.
- Underground lines: Bakerloo Line, Circle Line, District Line, Hammersmith Line
- Bus lines: N7, 23, 27, N27, 36, 205, N205, 332, 7, 46, A1, 18, N18
- Train lines: Great Western Main Line, Heathrow Express
- Metro: Tube Lines.
WifiShoppingParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk- Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 24 Hours a Day Tickets bought in advance online or from South Western Railway telesales can be collected at Ticket Office or at Self-Serve Ticket Machines.
- Type of shops available: A wide range of shops including convenience store, supermarket, pharmacy, newsagent, bookseller, clothing, gifts, travel accessories and passport photobooth.
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: There is step free access from the main concourse to all platforms, shops and facilities. Step free exits are exit 1 (Station approach), exit 2 (with a lift to Waterloo Road and lift access to the London Underground Jubilee line), and exit 3 for taxis and onward travel towards the South Bank.
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available from the taxi rank on Cab Road / Station Approach
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Ticket machines are located at various locations on the main concourse and are accessible to wheelchair users.
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: The entrance to the public toilets is on the main concourse opposite platform 18, and these facilities have an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities. There is a another accessible toilet outside exit 3 operated by a RADAR key.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The entrance to the public toilets is on the main concourse opposite platform 18, and these facilities have an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities. There is a another accessible toilet outside exit 3 operated by a RADAR key.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: Cycle storage is located outside exit 3 on Station Approach / Cab Road.
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Onward travel information: Waterloo is well connected to London's public transport network. Waterloo Underground station serves the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City Lines. Plan a journey - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk) Buses depart from several points around the station. All Transport for London Buses are accessible with step free access and have a dedicated mobility space. Buses from Waterloo (tfl.gov.uk) The station has a dedicated taxi rank for London Black Taxis on the roadway outside exit 3. Santander Hire Bicycles are available from the docking stations outside. Santander Cycles - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk) Waterloo is within easy walking distance of the South Bank and a number of visitor attractions. Walking - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk).
- Metro: Waterloo Underground station is served by the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City Lines. Step free access is available to and from the Jubilee Line. For more information on London Transport accessibility: Plan an accessible journey - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk).
WifiShoppingParkingATMAccessibilityWCLost and Found OfficeTicket Office
- Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 05:00 - 23:59
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Level access to platforms, lifts to airport facilities. Ticket Office is step free. Wheelchair users can board trains with ease as the platforms are level with the trains.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: No
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- National key toilets: No
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Onward travel information: National Rail trains serving London Paddington National Express coaches to Victoria Coach Station and Gatwick Airport London Underground
- Metro: Connection available with the London Underground (Piccadilly Line)
Most popular train connections from Exeter
More options for your journey from Exeter to London
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Most popular trains to and from London and Exeter
Most popular train connections to London
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