Timetable

Train route

Cheap train tickets

Cardiff to Exeter train route details

First train

05:07

Last train

23:30

Departure city

Cardiff

Arrival city

Exeter

Journey time

2h 7m

Distance

55 miles

Price

€14.24*

Train Operators

CrossCountry, Great Western Railway

What are the next train times from Cardiff to Exeter?

Discover all upcoming Cardiff to Exeter services running today, including departure and arrival times, direct or connecting options, journey duration, and the operator running your route — everything you need to catch the train with confidence

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Departs	Arrives	Find Tickets
05:07 3h 1m, 2 change Cardiff Central	08:08 Exeter St Davids	Find Tickets
06:28 2h 16m, 1 change Cardiff Central	08:44 Exeter St Davids	Find Tickets
06:57 2h 12m, 1 change Cardiff Central	09:09 Exeter St Davids	Find Tickets
07:27 2h 19m, 1 change Cardiff Central	09:46 Exeter St Davids	Find Tickets
08:00 2h 31m, Direct Cardiff Central	10:31 Exeter St Davids	Find Tickets
08:38 2h 7m, 1 change Cardiff Central	10:45 Paris	Find Tickets

Where to stay near Exeter

Leonardo Hotel Exeter
Western Wy
8.9/10
129 review
White Hart, Exeter by Marston's Inns
66 South St
8.3/10
115 review
Exeter Court Hotel
Kennford
9.2/10
42 review
Holiday Inn Express EXETER - CITY CENTRE by IHG
Tudor St
8.8/10
68 review
Hotel Indigo EXETER by IHG
3 Catherine Street
9.4/10
60 review
Exeter Rougemont hotel by Sunday
Queen St
8.4/10
76 review
The Telstar
77 St. Davids Hill
8.5/10
111 review
Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel
Southernhay E
7.9/10
110 review

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How to book cheap train tickets from Cardiff to Exeter

Season tickets for frequent travellers

If you travel between Cardiff and Exeter on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis, we'd highly recommend a season ticket, which provides unlimited travel between the 2 stations (during specific times) for a set price. Not only will you receive significant savings, but you'll also remove the stress of purchasing individual tickets.

Travel during Off-Peak train times

To enjoy a calmer and often cheaper journey, we recommend choosing Off-Peak services and steering clear of the busy rush-hour periods. While timings differ slightly by operator, it's usually best to avoid travelling between 06:30 AM–09:30 AM and 4:00 PM–7:00 PM on weekdays. On weekends and bank holidays, Off-Peak fares apply all day.

Using a Railcard for 1/3 off

Explore a range of Railcards that typically offer 1/3 off most train tickets, including the 16-25, 26-30, Family & Friends, Two Together, Network and Senior Railcards, as well as the 16-17 Saver, which offers 50% off. They’re easy to purchase and store digitally in your Trip.com app, meaning you're only ever a tap away from great savings.

Split Tickets discount

It might seem unusual, but buying several cheaper tickets for different sections of your journey can result in substantial savings - and you won't need to move seats at all. Even better, Trip.com automatically finds and arranges these split tickets for you, so there's no complicated planning required.

Which train ticket types are available for this route?

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Why book train tickets on Trip.com?

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*Based on Trip.com ticket data from 2023, Split Tickets provided notably lower prices compared to full-price tickets.

Trains from Cardiff to Exeter from €14.24

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Cardiff to Exeter train route details

What are the next train times from Cardiff to Exeter?

Where to stay near Exeter