How to get from Portsmouth to Exeter

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What is the best way to travel from Portsmouth to Exeter?

Looking for a trip? Check and compare all the available Trains and Buses to Exeter from Portsmouth. Look at different modes of transportation, search for the cheapest tickets, fastest rides and most popular stations, and see all 3 available companies to find your perfect trip!
Train is the cheapest and fastest way on this route
Transport type
Travel time
Cheapest price
Average price
Daily departures
Bus
6h 5m
£46
£57
6
Train
3h 15m
£42
£64
15

What is the cheapest way to reach Exeter from Portsmouth?

You can reach Exeter with just £42 by taking a Train from South Western Railway, but there are many more cheap offers: we have selected the best ones for you for the next few days here.

Saturday
from £42
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
from £46

    Cheapest Trains Saturday

  • South Western Railway
    4h 42m
    0
    10:00
    Portsmouth
    Portsmouth & Southsea Station
    14:42
    Exeter
    St Davids Station
    0
    South Western Railway
    Economy
    from £42
  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
    3h 31m
    0
    06:12
    Portsmouth
    Portsmouth & Southsea Station
    09:43
    Exeter
    St Davids Station
    0
    Great Western Railway (GWR)
    Economy
    from £68
  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
    3h 15m
    0
    07:27
    Portsmouth
    Portsmouth & Southsea Station
    10:42
    Exeter
    St Davids Station
    0
    Great Western Railway (GWR)
    Economy
    from £68
  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
    3h 15m
    0
    08:27
    Portsmouth
    Portsmouth & Southsea Station
    11:42
    Exeter
    St Davids Station
    0
    Great Western Railway (GWR)
    Economy
    from £68
  • South Western Railway
    5h 23m
    0
    09:00
    Portsmouth
    Portsmouth & Southsea Station
    14:23
    Exeter
    St James Park Station
    0
    South Western Railway
    Economy
    from £74

    • Cheapest Buses Saturday

  • National Express
    6h 50m
    0
    20:10
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    03:00
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £50
  • National Express
    6h 5m
    0
    16:55
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    23:00
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £55
  • National Express
    7h 30m
    0
    13:50
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    21:20
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £58
  • National Express
    6h 5m
    0
    06:05
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    12:10
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £61
  • National Express
    8h 40m
    0
    10:50
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    19:30
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £66

    Cheapest Buses Friday

  • National Express
    6h 50m
    0
    20:10
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    03:00
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £46
  • National Express
    7h 10m
    0
    08:20
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    15:30
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £53
  • National Express
    6h 10m
    0
    13:50
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    20:00
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £60
  • National Express
    6h 15m
    0
    16:45
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    23:00
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £60
  • National Express
    6h 45m
    0
    05:35
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    12:20
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £61

What are the fastest trips from Portsmouth to Exeter?

You can get to Exeter from Portsmouth in just 3h 15m with a Train from Great Western Railway (GWR). But this is just one option, click on any of the offers below to compare it with the other available modes of transportations.

Saturday
from 3h 15m
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
from 6h 10m

    Fastest Trains Saturday

  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
    3h 15m
    0
    07:27
    Portsmouth
    Portsmouth & Southsea Station
    10:42
    Exeter
    St Davids Station
    0
    Great Western Railway (GWR)
    Economy
    from £68
  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
    3h 15m
    0
    08:27
    Portsmouth
    Portsmouth & Southsea Station
    11:42
    Exeter
    St Davids Station
    0
    Great Western Railway (GWR)
    Economy
    from £68
  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
    3h 31m
    0
    06:12
    Portsmouth
    Portsmouth & Southsea Station
    09:43
    Exeter
    St Davids Station
    0
    Great Western Railway (GWR)
    Economy
    from £68
  • South Western Railway
    4h 42m
    0
    10:00
    Portsmouth
    Portsmouth & Southsea Station
    14:42
    Exeter
    St Davids Station
    0
    South Western Railway
    Economy
    from £42
  • South Western Railway
    5h 23m
    0
    09:00
    Portsmouth
    Portsmouth & Southsea Station
    14:23
    Exeter
    St James Park Station
    0
    South Western Railway
    Economy
    from £74

    • Fastest Buses Saturday

  • National Express
    6h 5m
    0
    16:55
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    23:00
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £55
  • National Express
    6h 5m
    0
    06:05
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    12:10
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £61
  • National Express
    6h 50m
    0
    20:10
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    03:00
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £50
  • National Express
    7h 30m
    0
    13:50
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    21:20
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £58
  • National Express
    8h 40m
    0
    10:50
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    19:30
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £66

    Fastest Buses Friday

  • National Express
    6h 10m
    0
    13:50
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    20:00
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £60
  • National Express
    6h 15m
    0
    16:45
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    23:00
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £60
  • National Express
    6h 45m
    0
    05:35
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    12:20
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £61
  • National Express
    6h 50m
    0
    20:10
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    03:00
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £46
  • National Express
    7h 10m
    0
    08:20
    Portsmouth
    The Hard Interchange
    15:30
    Exeter
    Coach Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £53
Here you will find all operators and timetables for a Bus from Portsmouth to Exeter

What are the most popular stations in Portsmouth and Exeter?

In Portsmouth, you will usually depart from The Hard Interchange, City Shops South (Stop D) Bus Station or Portsmouth & Southsea Station, while in Exeter you will be arriving at Cranbrook Train Station, St Davids Station or Central Station, but there are many more stops to explore in both locations.

How do I decide? Some tips and tricks from our experience

Are you having trouble deciding on how to get to Exeter from Portsmouth? With 7 connections between 3 Train and Bus operators, it can be difficult to find the one ride that will make you happy. But we have some tips that can help you make the best informed decision. First of all, the best trip is always the one that meets all your needs, so make a list of all the things that you want from this journey and look for something that will satisfy all of them. Here we will go through some of the factors mostly commonly taken into consideration.

Look for the lowest price

Ticket price is usually the main concern: even if you can afford to pay more, why do it if there are cheaper options? Saving on the trip means that you can spend more on the vacation itself! Between Portsmouth and Exeter, you can pay as low as £42 with a Train from South Western Railway.

Travel duration

Time is also an important factor. An earlier departure may allow you to see a beautiful sunset or relax before an important event. And remember, time is money, so paying more for a shorter trip may be well worth it. For longer distances, flights are without doubt the best options, but be mindful of airport times and possible delays: a high-speed train may end up cheaper and faster! Here the quicker option is definitely the Train from Great Western Railway (GWR): you will get to Exeter in just 3h 15m.

Comfort makes all the difference

You should always take into account what your personal travelling preferences are. Is one hand luggage enough, or are you trasporting more? Would you like to have a snack during the journey? Can you relax in a busy compartment, or do you need space for yourself? Even among the same mode of transportation, different companies will offer you varying levels of comfort and amenities. The main operators connecting Portsmouth and Exeter are National Express, Great Western Railway (GWR) and South Western Railway, but be sure to check what they have to offer!

Save money with deals, and always compare

One last tip? Even if you live in Portsmouth and Exeter is your only destination, it may be wise to check the offers from and to nearby cities or, if you are flyng, nearby airports. Check the trips from Hilsea or to Topsham, and look at flights from Southampton Airport, and landing at Exeter Airport. Comparing different routes may allow you to find deals or promotions you were not aware of. Consider also signing up to CheckMyBus to see even more exclusive promotions!

Which companies offer a trip from Portsmouth to Exeter?

The most popular companies between Portsmouth and Exeter, are National Express, Great Western Railway (GWR) and South Western Railway. Be sure to check their seat class offers and the amenities that they provide.

Bus companies: National Express

Train companies: Great Western Railway (GWR) and South Western Railway

All you need to know when you travel from Portsmouth to Exeter

Check all information on comfort and services on all modes of transports from Portsmouth to Exeter. See which seat classes are available, and what amenities are other advantages offered by the operators on your journey.

FAQs about the trip from Portsmouth to Exeter

How can I reach Exeter from Portsmouth?

Every day, there are on average 7 connections between Train and Bus, with which you can get to Exeter from Portsmouth.

How far is Exeter from Portsmouth?

The distance between Portsmouth and Exeter is 172.7 km.

What is the most ecofriendly mode of transport between Portsmouth and Exeter?

Trains and buses are by far the greenest options, with trains surpassing buses on longer routes. Planes will always be the worst polluters, especially in shorter flights, were the emissions from the takeoff and landing are less offset by the distance. On this particular route, a bus will emit, per person, a total of 5 kgs of CO2, a train 6 kgs, a car 29 kgs, and a flight 42 kgs.

What is the cheapest mode of transport from Portsmouth to Exeter?

You can get to Exeter with just £42 by taking a Train from South Western Railway.

What is the fastest way to get from Portsmouth to Exeter?

While a plane is travelling fastest boarding and transfer to airport consumes a lot of time. Usually, high speed trains are better than flights if pure train travel time is below 4 hours. For this particular route, you can get to Exeter in just 3h 15m with a Train from Great Western Railway (GWR).

More routes to Portsmouth and to Exeter

Looking for more options? Here you can see the most popular routes to Portsmouth and to Exeter. Simply click on a connection, and you’ll find all the details about the route!
CheckMyBus › Travel › Portsmouth › Exeter

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