How to travel from Exeter to Leicester, United Kingdom

The distance between Exeter and Leicester is around 303km (189 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 2h 50m.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Exeter to Leicester by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out LeicesterExeter if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Exeter (EXT) to East Midlands (EMA).

  • Duration2h 50m
  • Flight time2hrs
  • Typical cost
    £370($435)
Operated by

Aurigny

+ 1 others

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

2
train
+
train
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Train

Take the train to Birmingham New Street and then to Leicester.

  • Duration3h 20m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £120($140)
💰 Cheapest
3
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Birmingham Coach Station Digbeth and then to Leicester St Margarets Bus Station.

  • Duration5h 40m
  • Departsevery 4 hours
  • Typical cost
    £15($18)
4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Leicester.

  • Duration3h 15m
  • Distance303km (189 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Exeter and Leicester

There are several options for getting from Exeter to Leicester by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £15 ($18) and will take around 5h 40m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 2h 50m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £370 ($435).

The distance between Exeter and Leicester is around 303km (189 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 269km (167 miles)

It takes around 3h 20m to get from Exeter and Leicester by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 15m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Exeter to Leicester is to fly which takes around 2h 50m and will set you back approx £370 ($435).

The cheapest way to travel between Exeter and Leicester, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £15 ($18) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Exeter and Leicester. It typically takes around 3h 20m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Exeter to Leicester. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Birmingham New Street. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 3h 20m.

CrossCountry run train services between Exeter and Leicester. Trains depart hourly and will take around 3h 20m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Exeter and Leicester. It typically takes around 5h 40m and departs every 4 hours.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Exeter to Leicester. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Birmingham Coach Station Digbeth. These services run every 4 hours and will take a minimum of 5h 40m.

National Express run regular bus services between Exeter and Leicester. Buses run every 4 hours and take around 5h 40m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Exeter and Leicester. Flights depart from Exeter (EXT) and arrive at East Midlands (EMA) - via Guernsey (GCI). The flight takes around 2hrs.

There is no direct flight from Exeter to Leicester. There is however a flight that goes via Guernsey (GCI). This services will take at least 2h 50m (not including layover time).

The flight from Exeter to Leicester typically takes around 2hrs. Flights depart from Exeter (EXT) and and arrive into East Midlands (EMA).

The closest major airport to Leicester is East Midlands Airport (EMA) (EMA) which is approximately 25km (15 miles) from Leicester. Birmingham Airport (BHX) (BHX) and Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) (DSA) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Exeter and Leicester. The distance is around 303km (189 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 15m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Exeter to Leicester is to take the train which takes, on average, 3h 20m and will usually cost around £120 ($140).

How do I get from Exeter to Leicester

Compare travel optionsbetween Exeter and Leicester

Transport options from Exeter to Leicester
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly + 1 similar
2h 50m
£370($435)
hourly592km (368 miles)
Plane and Train3h 30m
£415($490)
hourly640km (398 miles)
Train
3h 20m
£120($140)
hourly329km (204 miles)
Bus
5h 40m
£15($18)
every 4 hours340km (211 miles)
Drive
3h 15m
£52($62)
on demand303km (189 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Exeter and Leicester

Airlines

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Leicester

The following major airports near Leicester offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

EMA
East Midlands Airport (EMA)
International Airport
Distance
25km (15 miles) from Leicester
BHX
Birmingham Airport (BHX)
International Airport
Distance
45km (28 miles) from Leicester
DSA
Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA)
International Airport
Distance
94km (59 miles) from Leicester