How to travel from Exeter to Swanage, United Kingdom

The distance between Exeter and Swanage is around 136km (84 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 1h 45m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Exeter to Swanage by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

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

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3 x train
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Train

Take the train to Castle Cary then Upwey and then to Poole.

  • Duration2h 50m
  • Departsevery 4 hours
  • Typical cost
    £105($120)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Bristol Bus & Coach Station and then to Bournemouth Station off Holdenhurst Rd.

  • Duration6h 25m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    £18($21)
🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Swanage.

  • Duration1h 45m
  • Distance136km (84 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Exeter and Swanage

There are several options for getting from Exeter to Swanage by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £18 ($21) and will take around 6h 25m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 1h 45m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £24 ($28).

The distance between Exeter and Swanage is around 136km (84 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 111km (69 miles)

It takes around 2h 50m to get from Exeter and Swanage by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1h 45m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Exeter to Swanage is to drive which takes around 1h 45m and will set you back approx £24 ($28).

The cheapest way to travel between Exeter and Swanage, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £18 ($21) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Exeter and Swanage. It typically takes around 2h 50m and departs every 4 hours.

There are no direct train services that runs from Exeter to Swanage. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Castle Cary, Upwey and Poole. These services run every 4 hours and will take a minimum of 2h 50m.

Great Western Railway and South Western Railway run train services between Exeter and Swanage. Trains depart every 4 hours and will take around 2h 50m, 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 Swanage. It typically takes around 6h 25m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Exeter to Swanage. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Bristol Bus & Coach Station and Bournemouth Station off Holdenhurst Rd. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 6h 25m.

National Express run regular bus services between Exeter and Swanage. Buses run once daily and take around 6h 25m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Exeter to Swanage. We recommend that you take the train to Castle Cary then Upwey and then to Poole. instead which will take 2h 50m.

The closest major airport to Swanage is Bournemouth Airport (BOH) (BOH) which is approximately 21km (13 miles) from Swanage. Southampton Airport (SOU) (SOU) and Bristol Airport (BRS) (BRS) 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 Swanage. The distance is around 136km (84 miles) by road and it will take around 1h 45m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Exeter to Swanage is to take the train which takes, on average, 2h 50m and will usually cost around £105 ($120).

How do I get from Exeter to Swanage

Compare travel optionsbetween Exeter and Swanage

Transport options from Exeter to Swanage
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
2h 50m
£105($120)
every 4 hours228km (141 miles)
Bus
6h 25m
£18($21)
once daily279km (173 miles)
Drive
1h 45m
£24($28)
on demand136km (84 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Exeter and Swanage

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Swanage

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

BOH
Bournemouth Airport (BOH)
International Airport
Distance
21km (13 miles) from Swanage
SOU
Southampton Airport (SOU)
Domestic Airport
Distance
57km (35 miles) from Swanage
BRS
Bristol Airport (BRS)
International Airport
Distance
101km (63 miles) from Swanage