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Trip Summary
There are 8 daily trains from Exeter to Poole. Traveling by train from Exeter to Poole usually takes around 4 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest Great Western Railway + Connections train can make the trip in 2 hours and 56 minutes.
| Distance | 68 mi (109 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 56m |
| Lowest price | $75.37 |
| Most frequent service | Great Western Railway + Connections |
| Train lines | 3 |
Which train should you take from Exeter to Poole?
There are 3 train lines with service from Exeter to Poole. Great Western Railway + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 6 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossCountry + Connections | 1 | 4h 29m | $75.37 |
| Great Western Railway + Connections | 6 | 4h 24m | $131.05 |
| South Western Railway | 1 | 5h 24m | $88.63 |
CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Exeter to Poole start from $75, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Poole. CrossCountry + Connections in Exeter leaves from Exeter St David's . And in Poole trains arrive at Poole Train Station .
From Exeter to Poole train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 4 hours and 29 minutes. If you are looking to get to Poole faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 56 minutes.
If you are looking to travel to Poole on a weekend there is typically one CrossCountry + Connections scheduled trip per day, which will cost for a one-way weekend reservation from Exeter.
Great Western Railway + Connections train tickets from Exeter to Poole start from $75, and on average cost . Daily there are 6 Great Western Railway + Connections schedules to Poole. Great Western Railway + Connections in Exeter leaves from Exeter St David's . And in Poole trains arrive at Poole Train Station .
From Exeter to Poole train travel on Great Western Railway + Connections takes 4 hours and 24 minutes. If you are looking to get to Poole faster, Great Western Railway + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 56 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Great Western Railway + Connections offers 6 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Poole.
UK's South Western Railway operates passenger rail services in London, Windsor, Reading, and Southampton. Both standard class and first-class seating are available, with the first-class section clearly marked and physically separated from the rest of the train by internal doorways. These cars offer more space and quiet away from the more crowded areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trains from Exeter to Poole are the most crowded on Sunday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Exeter at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 8 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Poole to Exeter.
City Information
Exeter
Located on the River Exe in the southwest of England, Exeter is one of England's most historically-varied towns. It's easy to forget what year it is while walking down the cobbled streets surrounded by Roman ruins, medieval architecture, and Georgian facades interspersed with modern glass buildings and contemporary bars.
One of the greatest examples of this town's historical architecture is Exeter Cathedral. The 12th-century building took around 300 years to complete, but every moment was worth it for the exterior’s extremely detailed stonework. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum is another unmissable building, housing a wide range of attractions from antiquities to zoology.
Take a walk along Exeter's historic quayside for some of the most spectacular scenery in the city, as well as some of Exeter's best bars and restaurants. If you're looking for something to entertain the children, Crealy Great Adventure Park is the place to be. The park contains over 60 rides and an Animal Barn showcasing farm and exotic animals.
Exeter can be easily reached from London via the Great Western Railway, with trains leaving roughly every hour from the city. Trains arrive at Exeter St. David's station, only a short walk away from the city center. In addition, National Express and Megabus provide bus services to the town from various locations across the country.
Poole
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Endless golden, sandy beaches on the south coast of England characterize the popular destination of Poole. After its neighbor, Bournemouth, the coastal town is the second-largest in Dorset. Many travelers head to Poole to spend long, sunny summer days on one of its beaches. Sandbanks Beach is one of the most beloved, with a unique location on a small peninsula at the mouth of Poole Harbor. Gorgeous landscapes, excellent kitesurfing, soft sand, and a lively promenade make this beach the ultimate summer destination.
Poole still offers plenty to do if you visit outside of sunbathing months. Its vibrant quayside is filled with fantastic restaurants and trendy bars, and the highstreets offer boutique and local shopping experiences. Poole also serves as a gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Jurassic Coast. Many public transport options provide access to this breathtaking geological and archaeological site.
Since it's a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, Poole can be reached by many forms of travel for those without cars. Poole is only 2.5 hours from London by train on the South West Train line, and frequent trips on Megabus and National Express from London also arrive roughly every hour at peak season.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Exeter?
Image credit: dksesh
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Exeter St David's
St David's Train Station is the principal railway station that serves Exeter. Great Western Railway and CrossCountry operate several routes through this station, the most popular being the line to London Paddington. The station is a 15-minute walk from the city center, but frequent local bus services also connect to the rest of Exeter. Inside the station, you'll find a bookshop and cafe along with amenities like restrooms and notice boards with train information. Several local shops, a Premier Inn Hotel, and a rental car agency all await right outside of the station.
All train stations in Exeter:
Exeter St David's
Where is the train station in Poole?
Image credit: Elliott Brown
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Poole Train Station
Trains to Poole arrive at the train station along Serpentine Road, opposite the expansive Dolphin Shopping Centre. The station includes a small building with seating and a coffee shop, but it is not open past the evenings. However, the platforms do offer covered outdoor seating if you're catching a later train. Stop in the mall for additional amenities, including shops and restaurants. The train station is just a short walk from Poole's primary bus station. Poole is one of the stops on South Western Railway's Main Line from London to Weymouth, and connections in either of these cities open up further rail travel to destinations throughout the United Kingdom.
Train stations in Poole:
Poole Train Station
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Need a return trip from Poole to Exeter?
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