How to get from Exeter to Exmouth in East Devon

Are you wondering how to get from Exeter to Exmouth?

Whether you’re a student at the University of Exeter, are holidaying in either location or are just passing through, you’ll be glad to know that these two settlements are well connected by road and rail.

I live in Exmouth, and I frequently make the trip up to Exeter (I’m an Exeter FC fan and often head into the city for games, or for nights out, shopping or just to enjoy the culture).

So, here’s how to get from Exeter to Exmouth (or the other way around, from Exmouth to Exeter!).

Table of Contents

Driving

The drive time from Exeter to Exmouth takes between 20-40 minutes, depending on where in the city you’re driving from.

There are a few ways to reach Exmouth, but I’d generally advise heading to the Sowton Park and Ride in Exeter.

From here, you can take the A376 to Clyst St Mary roundabout, turning right at the roundabout and heading through Clyst St George and Ebford.

Keep following this road through Exton and Lympstone, and you’ll ultimately reach the town of Exmouth.

How to get from Exeter to Exmouth Beach

Lovely sunset at a sandy Exmouth beach, Devon

If you’re driving to Exmouth Beach, keep following the road down as it becomes Exeter Road and then Marine Way.

You’ll eventually go past the station, go straight at the roundabout here.

I’d recommend parking at the large car park near the LED fitness centre and walking (there are usually plenty of spaces here).

To reach this car park, turn right at the following roundabout.

If you want to drive all the way down to the beach, turn left at the roundabout, drive down Imperial Road and then take a right, turning left as you get to the seafront.

There is parking along the beach, but it goes quickly in the summer months!

Train

The Avocet Line connects Exeter and Exmouth, running from Exeter St Davids to Exeter Central, St James’ Park, Polsloe Bridge, Digby and Sowton, Newcourt, Topsham, Lympstone and terminating in Exmouth.

I quite frequently take this route all the way from Exeter St Davids to Exmouth, and it takes around half an hour.

It’s scheduled around every half hour, although later at night this drops to one per hour.

Sit on the left side of the train if going to Exeter, and the right side if going to Exmouth for the best views over the Exe Estuary!

After Exeter St Davids, the line also connects to Exeter St Thomas, Starcross, Dawlish, Teignmouth and a few stations in Torbay, terminating at Paignton.

If you want to get to Exmouth Beach, it’s a 12 minute walk from the station.

Walk out of the station and go straight, turning left at Imperial Road. Follow Imperial Road to the end and then turn right onto Alexandra Terrace.

Keep walking until you reach the coast road!

Bus

The 57 bus plows the road between Exeter and Exmouth, also calling in at Topsham and Lympstone. As it has quite a lot of stops, it takes 45 – 50 minutes.

Service is around every 15 minutes during most of the day, dropping down to every 30 minutes in the evenings and on Sundays.

The last bus is at 11:15 from Exeter to Exmouth and 11:08 from Exmouth to Exeter.

It’s not my favourite method of transportation, but it’s useful if you need public transport to Littleham or Brixington, as these areas are quite a walk from the station.