How to travel from Lancaster to Exeter, United Kingdom

The distance between Lancaster and Exeter is around 452km (281 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 4hrs.

9 routes found

We've found 9 different ways to get from Lancaster to Exeter 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 ExeterLancaster if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
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train
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train
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Train to Carlisle, plane

Take the train to Carlisle and then to Newcastle then fly from Newcastle (NCL) to Exeter (EXT).

  • Duration4hrs
  • Flight time1h 15m
  • Typical cost
    £215($255)
Operated by

Multiple operators

4 similiar routes

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

2
train
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Train

Take the train to Birmingham New Street and then to Exeter St Davids.

  • Duration4h 40m
  • Departsevery 2 hours
  • Typical cost
    £135($160)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

💰 Cheapest
3
3 x bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Manchester Coach Station Chorlton St then Birmingham Coach Station Digbeth and then to Exeter Sidwell St.

  • Duration8h 20m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    £22($26)
4
car
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Drive

Drive to Exeter.

  • Duration4h 40m
  • Distance452km (281 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Lancaster and Exeter

There are several options for getting from Lancaster to Exeter by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £22 ($26) and will take around 8h 20m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 4hrs, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £215 ($255).

The distance between Lancaster and Exeter is around 452km (281 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 373km (232 miles)

It takes around 4h 40m to get from Lancaster and Exeter by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 40m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Lancaster to Exeter is to take the train and then fly which takes around 4hrs and will set you back approx £215 ($255).

The cheapest way to travel between Lancaster and Exeter, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £22 ($26) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Lancaster and Exeter. It typically takes around 4h 40m and departs every 2 hours.

There are no direct train services that runs from Lancaster to Exeter. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Birmingham New Street. These services run every 2 hours and will take a minimum of 4h 40m.

Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern Rail, TransPennine Express Service, Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway run train services between Lancaster and Exeter. Trains depart every 2 hours and will take around 4h 40m, 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 Lancaster and Exeter. It typically takes around 8h 20m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Lancaster to Exeter. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Manchester Coach Station Chorlton St and Birmingham Coach Station Digbeth. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 8h 20m.

National Express run regular bus services between Lancaster and Exeter. Buses run once daily and take around 8h 20m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Lancaster to Exeter. We recommend that you take the train to Haymarket then fly from Edinburgh (EDI) to Exeter (EXT). instead which will take 4hrs.

The closest major airport to Exeter is Exeter Airport (EXT) (EXT) which is approximately 8km (5 miles) from Exeter. Cardiff Airport (CWL) (CWL) 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 Lancaster and Exeter. The distance is around 452km (281 miles) by road and it will take around 4h 40m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Lancaster to Exeter is to take the train which takes, on average, 4h 40m and will usually cost around £135 ($160).

How do I get from Lancaster to Exeter

Compare travel optionsbetween Lancaster and Exeter

Transport options from Lancaster to Exeter
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train to Carlisle, plane + 4 similar
4hrs
£215($255)
once daily721km (448 miles)
Train and Plane4hrs
£350($415)
every 2 hours869km (540 miles)
Train to Manchester Airport, plane4h 55m
£310($365)
hourly645km (401 miles)
Train to Manchester Airport, plane5h 10m
£285($335)
hourly563km (350 miles)
Train to Manchester Airport, plane5h 35m
£185($220)
4 times a week653km (406 miles)
Train + 1 similar
4h 40m
£135($160)
every 2 hours464km (288 miles)
Train via Manchester Piccadilly6h 40m
£160($190)
every 4 hours538km (335 miles)
Bus
8h 20m
£22($26)
once daily503km (313 miles)
Drive
4h 40m
£79($95)
on demand452km (281 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Lancaster and Exeter

Train operators

Airlines

Bus companies

Airports near Exeter

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

EXT
Exeter Airport (EXT)
International Airport
Distance
8km (5 miles) from Exeter
CWL
Cardiff Airport (CWL)
Domestic Airport
Distance
76km (47 miles) from Exeter
BRS
Bristol Airport (BRS)
International Airport
Distance
93km (58 miles) from Exeter