Cheap train tickets from Portsmouth to Exeter
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Portsmouth to Exeter Train Schedule
Trip Summary
24 trains operate daily from Portsmouth to Exeter. The train trip from Portsmouth to Exeter is usually about 3 hours and 57 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Great Western Railway train can get you there in as little as 2 hours and 56 minutes.
| Distance | 107 mi (172 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 56m |
| Lowest price | $28.27 |
| Most frequent service | South Western Railway + Connections |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Portsmouth to Exeter?
There are 4 train lines with service from Portsmouth to Exeter. South Western Railway + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 14 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Western Railway | 4 | 3h 9m | $48.24 |
| Great Western Railway + Connections | 4 | 3h 9m | $62.19 |
| South Western Railway + Connections | 14 | 4h 26m | $98.45 |
| Southern + Connections | 2 | 3h 48m | $101.70 |
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.
Great Western Railway + Connections train tickets from Portsmouth to Exeter start from $62, and on average cost . Daily there are 4 Great Western Railway + Connections schedules to Exeter. Great Western Railway + Connections in Portsmouth leaves from Fratton and one other station. And in Exeter trains arrive at Exeter St David's .
From Portsmouth to Exeter train travel on Great Western Railway + Connections takes 3 hours and 9 minutes. If you are looking to get to Exeter faster, Great Western Railway + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 56 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.
Southern Railway is part of the British rail network serving stations predominantly between central London and the British south coast. Destinations include Brighton, Gatwick Airport, and Worthing. WiFi and accessible restrooms are available on most trains, plus the option to upgrade to a first-class ticket with extra legroom.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Portsmouth to Exeter
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Portsmouth to Exeter on Wednesday. Tickets for Wednesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Wednesday. Wednesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Portsmouth 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 24 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 Portsmouth.
City Information
Portsmouth
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Portsmouth, located on the South coast of England, is home to several important historical dockyards and thus a storied maritime heritage. Though many people travel here to experience the nautical atmosphere, Portsmouth also offers many attractions and experiences to suit every taste.
For a taste of the sea, Henry VIII's Mary Rose is a must-see attraction, as well as Lord Nelson's famous HMS Victory. Both ships are accompanied by museums where visitors can learn more about these significant historical warships. If the weather drives you inside, take a walk around the Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery, hosting a variety of displays and recreations of how life has changed in Portsmouth over the centuries. To see the whole city all at once, climb Spinnaker Tower to see the city from 170 meters high. Finally, if you're feeling brave, walk across the glass Sky Walk to see the waves crash on the shore beneath your feet.
Due to its many ports, Portsmouth is accessible via ferry, as well as train, car, and bus. The South Western Railway makes getting to Portsmouth from London and other southern towns easy, while National Express and Megabus provide bus services that link many other major towns and cities.
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 Portsmouth?
Main departure station: Hilsea Station
Portsmouth has 3 stations where passengers can board the train to Exeter.
All train stations in Portsmouth:
Hilsea Station
Fratton
Cosham 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.
All train stations in Exeter:
Exeter St David's
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Exeter to Portsmouth?
Search Train Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.