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Trip Summary
10 trains operate daily from Exeter to Brighton. The train trip from Exeter to Brighton is usually about 4 hours and 20 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Great Western Railway train can get you there in as little as 4 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 149 mi (239 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 5m |
| Lowest price | $70.95 |
| Most frequent service | Great Western Railway |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Exeter to Brighton?
2 train services operate from Exeter to Brighton. Great Western Railway usually has more trains scheduled, with 8 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Western Railway | 8 | 4h 17m | $116.41 |
| South Western Railway | 2 | 4h 32m | $107.57 |
Great Western Railway is a train company in the United Kingdom responsible for rail services in the west of England and south Wales, including many intercity services to and from London. Whether you book a seat on a standard or first-class carriage, you can expect plenty of legroom, complimentary WiFi, power outlets/USB charging points, and onboard restrooms. There are also café cars or snacks trolleys onboard.
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 Brighton is approximately 149 miles, or 239 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 20 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 5 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.
Trains departing from Exeter to Brighton tend to have the most passengers on Tuesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Tuesday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Tuesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Exeter at 5:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 3:00pm. 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 10 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 Brighton 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.
Brighton
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Set between the countryside and the sea, Brighton is a colorful town that attracts visitors year-round, but especially in the summer. There are breathtaking landmarks as well as fantastic beachfront properties that ensure your Brighton vacation is as exciting or relaxing as you choose.
Two of the most iconic attractions in the city are the British Airways i360 and Royal Pavilion. The Royal Pavilion palace boasts Chinese- and Indian-inspired interiors and exteriors. The British Airways i360 offers a more modern view, serving as an observation tower and showcase of gliding engineering. Inside a glass-walled pod, you can glide 450 feet high and enjoy 360-degree views of Brighton.
Visit the Brighton Palace Pier and Sea Life Brighton for some outdoor family fun. Brighton Palace Pier offers beachfront rides and many other activities and food and drinks for the entire family to enjoy. Next door, Sea Life Brighton introduces kids to sea creatures of all types, including a shark that swims in an underwater tunnel.
Brighton is packed with fab restaurants, hip bars, and cozy pubs. What's more, Brighton is a Gold Award recipient for being one of England's most sustainable food places. Some of the top places to eat are Socialite, No. 1 Bar and Bistro, The Set Restaurant, and The Great Globalls.
There is a small Brighton City Airport, but the closest major airport is London Gatwick, located in Crawley; you can take a bus or train from Gatwick to Brighton. Brighton's train service is available on Gatwick Express, Southern, or Thameslink trains. If you prefer to take the bus, hop on National Express, which runs 40 routes in the area.
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
Exeter Central Station
Where is the train station in Brighton?
Main arrival station: 11 Terminus Rd
Brighton has one train station.
All train stations in Brighton:
11 Terminus Rd
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Need a return trip from Brighton to Exeter?
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