Next train departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Train | Cardiff Central | Exeter St David's | Cheapest | ||||
| Train | Cardiff Central | Exeter St David's | Fastest | ||||
| Train | Cardiff Central | Exeter St David's | No tags | ||||
| Train | Cardiff Central | Exeter St David's | No tags | ||||
| Train | Cardiff Central | Exeter St David's | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Last Tuesday at 18:37 GMT.
Compare 3 ways to travel from Cardiff to Exeter
Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as a good way to reach Exeter. The journey takes about 2 hours 40 minutes and with fares starting at just £15, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular train stations and stops in Cardiff and Exeter?
Exeter
- A
Polsloe Bridge
Polsloe Bridge, Exeter EX1 2SA, UK - B
Newcourt
Newcourt, Exeter EX2 7AS, UK
Train Companies
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Cardiff to Exeter by train
Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your journey.
How much does a train ticket cost from Cardiff to Exeter?
The cheapest train tickets from Cardiff to Exeter start from £33. The average price for this train route is around £71. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Cardiff to Exeter?
The average train journey time from Cardiff to Exeter is 2h 30m, covering a distance of 54 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 1h 59m and is operated by CrossCountry.
Which train operators serve the Cardiff to Exeter route?
Several major train operators run on this route with 3 trains available per day, including services from Great Western Railway, CrossCountry.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Cardiff to Exeter?
The earliest train from Cardiff to Exeter departs at 08:00. And the latest train departs at 20:00.
Which is the best train operator from Cardiff to Exeter?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated train operator on this route is CrossCountry, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars based on 44 reviews.
Which train operator has the best Wi-Fi from Cardiff to Exeter?
According to reviews on Busbud, the train operator CrossCountry has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 4.1.
Which train operator has the most punctual service from Cardiff to Exeter?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual train operator on this route is Great Western Railway, with a punctuality rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Which train operator has the cleanest trains from Cardiff to Exeter?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the train operator with the cleanest trains on this route is Great Western Railway, with a cleanliness rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Find cheapest prices for trains
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Cardiff to Exeter was searched and found on 9 Dec 2025 with a price of £49To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Cardiff to Exeter as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from £49 to £101 for a train ticket from Cardiff to Exeter based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at £61, which is on 2025-12-13.
