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Trip Summary
You can pick from 8 daily train trips between Poole and Exeter. The average train journey from Poole to Exeter takes 5 hours and 48 minutes, but some South Western Railway + Connections train trips are as short as 3 hours and 32 minutes.
Distance | 68 mi (109 km) |
Fastest train | 3h 32m |
Lowest price | $78.21 |
Most frequent service | South Western Railway + Connections |
Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Poole to Exeter?
South Western Railway + Connections is the one and only train line which connects Poole to Exeter. However, there are 8 trains per day to choose from.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
South Western Railway + Connections | 8 | 5h 48m | $181.74 |
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
The distance between Poole and Exeter is approximately 68 miles, or 109 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 48 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 32 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Friday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Poole to Exeter. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Friday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Friday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Poole at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. 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 Exeter to Poole.
City Information
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.
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Poole?
Image credit: Elliott Brown
Link to image attributionMain departure 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.
All train stations in Poole:
Poole Train Station
Where is the train station in Exeter?
Image credit: dksesh
Link to image attributionMain arrival 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.
Train stations in Exeter:
Exeter St David's
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Need a return trip from Exeter to Poole?
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- Train Tickets
- United Kingdom
- Exeter
- Poole to Exeter