Trains from London to Exeter from £32.80

With a brilliant selection of shops and restaurants, a picturesque quayside and a magnificent cathedral, Exeter is a great spot for a weekend away for those living in London or a base for exploring Devon’s Jurassic Coast and Dartmoor National Park. Our guide below is here to help you plan your journey from London to Exeter by train with all the details you’ll need. Are you ready to explore the South West?

Which station in London goes to Exeter?

There are two central London stations connecting the capital with Exeter by direct train. London Paddington offers the fastest and most frequent services with GWR to Exeter St Davids station, while South Western Railway services from London Waterloo are a slower option, however, they offer direct connections to both Exeter Central and Exeter St Davids and can offer lower cost fares.

Departing from London Paddington

London Paddington station is a great departure point if you’re looking to travel to the West and South West England, as well as London Heathrow Airport. It’s well connected to London’s train and underground network with services stopping here, including:

• Bakerloo Line
• Circle Line
• District Line
• Hammersmith & City Line
• Elizabeth Line
• Heathrow Express

If you’ve got time before your train departs, you can make the most of the station’s many facilities such as left luggage storage, showers, accessible toilets, a baby changing room, water fountains and free public Wi-Fi.

There’s also no shortage of places to sit and relax with seating areas on the station concourse, at the station reception, on platform 1 and in the lawn area. There’s also a heated waiting room near platform 12, which is open 07:00 – 22:00 (Monday to Saturday) and 08:00 – 22:00 (Sundays). If you’re travelling on a GWR First Class ticket, you can make use of the First Class lounge on platform 1, which includes complimentary refreshments, seating and charging points.

London Paddington has a wide selection of shops, cafes and restaurants in the station and nearby if you’ve got some free time before your trip from London to Exeter. Why not grab a pasty from the Pasty Shop, a coffee from Ritazza or last-minute supplies from Boots? Nearby Paddington Square has more shops and restaurants to choose from, including Kate Spade, Mango and Wahaca.

Paddington is, of course, famous for its connection with Paddington Bear, and you can pay a visit to the bronze statue of this lovable character on platform 1 near the station clock. You can also pick up a Paddington-themed souvenir at the Paddington Bear shop on the station concourse.

Departing from London Waterloo

The other option for trains to Exeter from London is to depart from London Waterloo. The city’s largest station, London Waterloo, is a hub for both commuters and tourists with mainline trains to the south coast as well as London and neighbouring counties. The station is easy to access by the London Underground with connections to the following services:

• Bakerloo line
• Northern line
• Jubilee line
• Waterloo & City line

Further connections are available thanks to mainline services to Kent and East Sussex operating from nearby Waterloo East station.

If you’re in need of a cuppa or bite to eat before you board your South Western Railway train to Exeter, there’s a choice of stands, cafes and restaurants available, including FCB Coffee, Greggs, Burger King, McDonald's, Bagel Factory and Pret. Looking for a last-minute gift or to indulge in some retail therapy before you’re whisked off to the South West? Be sure to stop by one of the station’s shops, such as Oliver Bonas, Monsoon, Lush or Hotel Chocolat.

Shops and eating outlets aren’t the only facilities available at London Waterloo. You’ll also find water fountains, free public Wi-Fi, seating areas, ATMs, accessible toilets, left luggage and baby changing facilities.

Your train to Exeter

The fastest GWR services from London Paddington to Exeter St Davids take just 2h, although typically journeys are between 2h 10m and 2h 33m. Trains generally depart every half an hour, with around 72 services running each day. While on board, you can enjoy free Wi-Fi as well as a choice of food and drinks available for purchase. For a more luxurious dining experience, on applicable services Monday to Friday, you can enjoy the Pullman Dining experience while you travel. Pullman Dining tables are subject to availability when boarding, and Standard ticket holders are not able to pre-book.

GWR services typically call at Reading and Taunton before reaching Exeter St Davids, and some services will make numerous stops, including Newbury, Tiverton Parkway and Castle Cary. GWR trains from Exeter to London generally terminate at Plymouth or Penzance, although some services will terminate at Exeter St Davids.

South Western Railway services from London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids typically cover the 157-mile distance in just over 3h 20m. Direct services are hourly and also stop at Exeter Central before terminating at Exeter St Davids. The services from London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids typically make numerous stops en route, including Clapham Junction, Basingstoke, Salisbury and Yeovil Junction. Passengers can make the most of free Wi-Fi during the trip, ideal if you’re looking to catch up on emails or stay in touch with family and friends.

First Class Trains to Exeter from London

If you’re looking for more spacious and comfortable seats, both GWR and South Western Railway have the option to upgrade to First Class on your train to Exeter from London. GWR First Class tickets also include access to the First Class lounge at London Paddington, complimentary snacks and drinks and access to Pullman Dining reservations up to two weeks before departure on applicable services.

How much does a train ticket from London to Exeter cost?

Train fares from London to Exeter start from just £32.80, although typical fares are around £32.00. South Western Railway trains from London Waterloo to Exeter tend to be cheaper than GWR services from Paddington, but they are also slower to reach their destination.

One of the best ways to find lower-cost fares is to book your tickets in advance. With our journey planner, it’s easy to compare different routes and times to find the best option for your trip. You can also book advanced First Class fares through the journey planner by clicking on ‘View 1st Class & More tickets’ before proceeding to the payment screen.

Which station is best for trains to Exeter from London: Exeter St Davids or Exeter Central?

Exeter St Davids is served by both GWR and South Western Railway trains, giving you the greatest choice of direct trains from London to Exeter. There are also onward train services from Exeter St Davids to Plymouth, St Austell, Truro and Penzance. It’s a little way out of the city centre, so if you’re planning to go straight from Exeter St Davids station to the city’s shops and attractions, you’ll need to make use of onward bus transport, a taxi service or connecting train services to Exeter Central.

Exeter Central is in the city centre and within walking distance of the Quay and the Cathedral, as well as the bus station for onward travel towards the Jurassic Coast and Dartmoor National Park. At both stations, you’ll also find waiting rooms, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central also both offer onward train connections to Devon’s beautiful coastline, including Torquay, Paignton, Dawlish and Exmouth.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.