Top tip!
Plan your journey in advance for peace of mind and a cheaper rate.
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Watch how students get to campus
Airport collection service to Exeter
Planning Your Travel to University
Our top travel tips
- Think about when your flight arrives and travel time to your accommodation.
Heathrow to Exeter: 3-5 hours / Heathrow to Penryn: 5-8 hours - Book your travel in advance, if you can, as tickets are often cheaper.
- Buy food and drink before you get on your train or bus. It will be cheaper! UK tap water is safe to drink- you can refill your own bottle at the airport if you have a refillable water bottle.
- Have essential documents in your hand luggage and keep copies on your phone.
- Travel light. You can send items from home to your accommodation once you move in and even buy bedding or kitchen packs in advance to be there on your arrival.
- Call home when you land to let them know you've arrived safely. Remember to have a UK charger with you. We have UK SIM cards for you when you get to Exeter until you organise your own mobile contracts.
Once you arrive in the UK you will want to find the most comfortable route to get to your campus so that you can settle into your accommodation. Depending on when you arrive, and where you enter the country, you may be able to take advantage of the Airport Collection Service (selected days only) so have a look and see if this is an option for you. If you can't book onto the Airport Collection Service, we have advice below to help you make your own way to campus.
Planning your route
Below are detailed instructions about getting to our Devon and Cornwall campuses from the most popular airports. You can find campus maps, virtual tours, addresses and directions on the Visit Us pages.
Getting to Exeter
Bus: You can use the following coach companies outside terminals. Megabus and South West Falcon: Bristol Airport Bus Station to Exeter Honiton Road (Park and Ride). Journey time: 2 hours. Price: £15.40. Tickets must be booked in advance: https://uk.megabus.com/.
Train: Bristol Temple Meads to Exeter St Davids. Journey time: 1 hour. Price: £38. You can book your train tickets online: https://www.thetrainline.com/
More info here: How to Get from Bristol Airport to Exeter
Bus: Get a National Express bus from London Victoria Coach station to Exeter Bampfylde Street. Journey time: 5 hours. Price: £10.80. Prebook online: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en
Train: Gatwick Airport South Terminal to Exeter St Davids. Journey time: 4 hours. Prices range: £67.10 - £84.60. Book your train tickets online: https://www.thetrainline.com/
More info here: How to Get from Gatwick Airport to Exeter
Airport Collection Service: 13 and 14 September 2025 only
Bus: Get a National Express bus from Heathrow Airport terminal bus stations (apart from Terminal 1). You will need to book your ticket: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en. Please ensure that when you are booking, you put the same terminal you arrive. Journey time: 3.5 – 6 hours. Prices range from: £23.60- £35.60.
Train: London Paddington to Exeter St Davids. Journey time: 2-3 hours. Prices range: £36.50 - £60.50. Book your train tickets online: https://www.thetrainline.com/
More info here: How to get from Heathrow Airport to Exeter
Bus: Get a National Express bus from London Stansted coach station to Exeter Bampfylde Street. Journey time: 6 hours. Price: £27.50 - £37. You will need to book your ticket: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en.
Train: London Paddington to Exeter St Davids. Journey time: 2-3 hours. Prices range: £36.50 - £60.50. Book your train tickets online: https://www.thetrainline.com/
More info here: How to Get from Stansted Airport to Exeter
If you are flying into Dublin Airport you will need to then fly into either Bristol or Exeter Airport.
Arriving at Exeter Airport:
Bus: Catch a Stagecoach bus (4A) from outside the airport to Exeter St David’s station. Journey time: 30mins. Price: £3. You can purchase a ticket on the bus or before boarding: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/tickets
Arriving at Bristol Airport:
Bus: Catch the A2 bus (Airport Flyer Express) from outside the airport to Bristol Temple Meads and then the train to Exeter St David’s train station. Journey time between the airport to Bristol Temple Meads: 30mins. Price: £9. Tickets can be purchased online: https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/to-and-from-the-airport/by-airport-flyer/. See above for details on how to travel between Bristol and Exeter.
More info here: How to Get from Dublin Airport to Exeter
Apple Taxis are the largest Exeter taxi company.
- Email Apple Taxis in advance to arrange for a car to meet you at the airport using info@appletaxisexeter.co.uk.
- Identify yourself as a University of Exeter student when booking to discuss booking rates.
- Provide your time of arrival, airport terminal number, flight number and number of people travelling per booking.
- Pay in advance and a car will meet you at your arrival airport. Note: you will also need to make a provisional booking to cover any additional airport parking charges, which can be refunded if your plane lands on time.
Use Google Maps to help plan your route
Getting to Cornwall
Bus: Get a National Express bus from Bristol Bus & Coach Station to Plymouth coach station, followed by a second bus to Truro, Penryn or Falmouth. Journey time: 7-11 hours. Price: £35.60 - £40. Tickets must be bought in advance from this website: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en
Train: Bristol Temple Meads to Truro, Penryn or Falmouth. Journey time: 4 hours. Price: £25.50 - £87. You can book your train tickets online: https://www.thetrainline.com/
More info here: How to Get from Bristol Airport to Cornwall
Airport Collection Service: 13 and 14 September 2025 only
Bus: Heathrow Airport bus stands to Truro, Penryn, Falmouth. Tickets must be bought in advance: National Express https://www.nationalexpress.com/en or Megabus https://www.megabus.co.uk/. Some routes will go directly to Cornwall others may require you to change at Bristol. Journey time: 8 hours. Price: £21- £29.
Train: London Paddington to Truro, Penryn, Falmouth. Journey time: 5 hours. Price: £59 - £77. You can book your train tickets online: https://www.thetrainline.com/
More info here: How to get from Heathrow Airport to Cornwall
Bus: Newquay Airport to Truro bus station. There are bus connections from Newquay Airport to Penryn Campus. Journey time: 2 hours. Check here for routes: http://www.travelinesw.com/
More info here: How to get from Newquay Airport to Cornwall
Abacus Taxis take bookings from major Cornish travel hubs like Newquay Airport and Truro train station.
- Email Abacus Taxis in advance to arrange for a car to meet you at the airport using bookings@falmouthtaxis.com
- Identify yourself as a University of Exeter student.
- Provide your time of arrival, flight number, and number of people travelling per booking.
- Pay in advance and a car will meet you at your arrival destination.
Use Google Maps to help plan your route.