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.
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 Swanage → Exeter if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to Castle Cary then Upwey and then to Poole.
Multiple train operators
Take the bus to Bristol Bus & Coach Station and then to Bournemouth Station off Holdenhurst Rd.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train | 2h 50m | £105($120) | every 4 hours | 228km (141 miles) |
Bus | 6h 25m | £18($21) | once daily | 279km (173 miles) |
Drive | 1h 45m | £24($28) | on demand | 136km (84 miles) |
South Western Railway
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First in Wessex Dorset & South Somerset
The following major airports near Swanage offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.