How to travel from Plymouth to Barnstaple, United Kingdom

The distance between Plymouth and Barnstaple is around 100km (62 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 1h 30m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Plymouth to Barnstaple 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 BarnstaplePlymouth if you're planning a return trip.

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Train

Take the train to Exeter St Davids and then to Barnstaple.

  • Duration2hrs
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £37($44)
💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Taunton Blackbrook Park Avenue and then to Barnstaple Bus Station.

  • Duration3h 20m
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    £24($28)
🚀 Fastest
3
car
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Drive

Drive to Barnstaple.

  • Duration1h 30m
  • Distance100km (62 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Plymouth and Barnstaple

There are several options for getting from Plymouth to Barnstaple by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £24 ($28) and will take around 3h 20m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 1h 30m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £18 ($21).

The distance between Plymouth and Barnstaple is around 100km (62 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 79km (49 miles)

It takes around 2hrs to get from Plymouth and Barnstaple by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1h 30m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Plymouth to Barnstaple is to drive which takes around 1h 30m and will set you back approx £18 ($21).

The cheapest way to travel between Plymouth and Barnstaple, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £24 ($28) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Plymouth and Barnstaple. It typically takes around 2hrs and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Plymouth to Barnstaple. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Exeter St Davids. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 2hrs.

Great Western Railway and CrossCountry run train services between Plymouth and Barnstaple. Trains depart hourly and will take around 2hrs, 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 Plymouth and Barnstaple. It typically takes around 3h 20m and departs 5 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Plymouth to Barnstaple. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Taunton Blackbrook Park Avenue. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 3h 20m.

Megabus UK and FlixBus run regular bus services between Plymouth and Barnstaple. Buses run 5 times a week and take around 3h 20m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Plymouth to Barnstaple. We recommend that you take the train to Exeter St Davids and then to Barnstaple. instead which will take 2hrs.

The closest major airport to Barnstaple is Exeter Airport (EXT) (EXT) which is approximately 60km (37 miles) from Barnstaple. Cardiff Airport (CWL) (CWL) and Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY) (NQY) 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 Plymouth and Barnstaple. The distance is around 100km (62 miles) by road and it will take around 1h 30m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Plymouth to Barnstaple is to take the train which takes, on average, 2hrs and will usually cost around £37 ($44).

How do I get from Plymouth to Barnstaple

Compare travel optionsbetween Plymouth and Barnstaple

Transport options from Plymouth to Barnstaple
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
2hrs
£37($44)
hourly145km (90 miles)
Bus
3h 20m
£24($28)
5 times a week204km (127 miles)
Drive
1h 30m
£18($21)
on demand100km (62 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Plymouth and Barnstaple

Train operators

Airports near Barnstaple

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

EXT
Exeter Airport (EXT)
International Airport
Distance
60km (37 miles) from Barnstaple
CWL
Cardiff Airport (CWL)
Domestic Airport
Distance
61km (38 miles) from Barnstaple
NQY
Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY)
Domestic Airport
Distance
97km (60 miles) from Barnstaple