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Trip Summary
You can pick from 8 daily train trips between Exeter and Bournemouth. The average train journey from Exeter to Bournemouth takes 3 hours and 58 minutes, but some Great Western Railway + Connections train trips are as short as 3 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 72 mi (116 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 10m |
| Lowest price | £45.29 |
| Most frequent service | Great Western Railway + Connections |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Exeter to Bournemouth?
There are 4 train lines with service from Exeter to Bournemouth. Great Western Railway + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 3 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossCountry + Connections | 3 | 4h 24m | £123.46 |
| Great Western Railway + Connections | 3 | 3h 41m | £70.62 |
| South Western Railway | 1 | 3h 50m | £53.46 |
| South Western Railway + Connections | 1 | 3h 38m | £53.46 |
CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Exeter to Bournemouth start from £108, and on average cost . Daily there are 3 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Bournemouth. CrossCountry + Connections in Exeter leaves from Exeter St David's . And in Bournemouth trains arrive at Bournemouth Train Station .
From Exeter to Bournemouth train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 4 hours and 24 minutes. If you are looking to get to Bournemouth faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 10 minutes.
Great Western Railway + Connections train tickets from Exeter to Bournemouth start from £45, and on average cost . Daily there are 3 Great Western Railway + Connections schedules to Bournemouth. Great Western Railway + Connections in Exeter leaves from Exeter St David's . And in Bournemouth trains arrive at Bournemouth Train Station .
From Exeter to Bournemouth train travel on Great Western Railway + Connections takes 3 hours and 41 minutes. If you are looking to get to Bournemouth faster, Great Western Railway + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 10 minutes.
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.
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 Exeter and Bournemouth is approximately 72 miles, or 116 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 58 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 10 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Exeter to Bournemouth on Saturday. Tickets for Saturday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Saturday. Saturday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Exeter at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 20:00. 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 Bournemouth 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 coach services to the town from various locations across the country.
Bournemouth
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Unsplash
Bournemouth, in picturesque Dorset County, is located on the South Coast. As such, you can enjoy several miles' worth of beaches. But aside from the world-class resorts and water activities in Bournemouth, this city also reflects England's rich history, culture, and heritage.
If you're drawn to Bournemouth's museums and galleries, you must visit the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum. This museum, styled as an Italian villa, sits atop a cliff, ensuring the views outside are as gorgeous as the art inside. The Poole Museum, housed in a Victorian warehouse, offers impressive exhibits to art, archaeology, pirate, and pottery enthusiasts.
But if you're here for the beach, head straight to the Fisherman's Walk Beach, ideal for relaxation because of its quiet atmosphere. If you'd like to stay in a dog-friendly beach lined with pretty beach huts, then it's Southbourne for you. The Alum Chine Beach is recommended for families because of its pirate-themed playground, ice cream kiosks, and restaurants.
Bournemouth also offers cliff hiking, golfing, bowling, and tennis. Of course, you can also do some watersports on a kayak, paddleboard, or surfboard. Diehard sports fans shouldn't miss the chance to visit Bournemouth's premier league stadium, Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth Airport is about 7 miles from the centre of town. The South Western Railway or CrossCountry trains are available to travel to Bournemouth from Liverpool, Manchester, or other destinations. In addition, Megabus provides coach service in and out of Bournemouth.
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 centre, 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 car hire agency all await right outside of the station.
All train stations in Exeter:
Exeter St David's
Where is the train station in Bournemouth?
Image credit: włodi
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Bournemouth Train Station
Bournemouth Railway Station is the primary train station serving the seaside town of Bournemouth. This station is a major stop along the South West Main Line from London Waterloo to Weymouth and the end of the CrossCountry route from Manchester to Bournemouth. The large red-brick building is across from an Asda Superstore and adjacent to the Bournemouth Coach and Bus Station. Since the train station is slightly northeast of downtown Bournemouth and the famous quayside, most travellers will likely transfer to a local bus right outside to reach their accommodations and activities.
Train stations in Bournemouth:
Bournemouth Train Station
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Need a return trip from Bournemouth to Exeter?
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