If you’re flying to Devon, there is only one airport you’ll be arriving into, and that’s Exeter airport.
Thankfully, it’s a nice and easy airport to use thanks to the right marking from sites like https://www.outdoor-surface-painting.co.uk/airport/.
. It’s small, close to the city of Exeter and has a regular connections to the city centre.
Whether you’re arriving or departing, our guide to Exeter airport will help you glide through to your final destination.
How close is Exeter airport to the city?
Exeter airport is just over 5 miles from Exeter city centre, meaning you can drive into town in about 15 minutes, traffic permitting.
There is a bus connection, the number 56, every half hour from the airport to the city centre.
A taxi from the airport to Exeter St Davids station will cost you around £15-20.
Connections to Exeter Airport
If you’re staying in a hotel, the main city centre hotels are spread out in different areas. So if you’re catching a flight and you want to get the bus or a taxi to the airport from town, it will depend where are staying for ease of connections.
The bus 56 airport connection leaves from Exeter St Davids, Exeter Central Station and Cheeke Street on it’s way to the airport. The bus also stops at the University Campus and Heavitree.
Tickets cost £2.70 one way, or £1.70 for children.
If you’re arriving into town, the bus stops at Paris Street instead of Cheeke Street in the city centre.
If you’re heading into Devon, Somerset or Cornwall via train or coach, you’ll need to go to either Exeter St Davids train station, or drop off at Paris Street to get your bus connection.
Cafes and other services at Exeter Airport
The check-in area has a cluster of desks and a small coffee shop. There is also a small newsagents/shop for basic supplies such as snacks and magazines. Once you go through security, which won’t take long, there are a couple of other options.
If you need to grab a bite and a coffee there is plenty of space to sit and watch the departure screens while you wait for your flight. The main restaurant in Exeter Airport is right after you come through the security gates.
If you’re looking for duty free, follow the corridor through the restaurant and you’ll come to the departure lounge area. This is a little lighter than the first restaurant you arrive in, and this also has another small newsagent and general supplies shop, if you want to grab a drink and snack for your flight.
There is also a small kids play area if you want to tire the little ones out before they’re stuck on a plane for a couple of hours.
Exeter Airport is pretty small so you won’t be more than 2-3 minutes from your departure gate.
Where can you fly to/from at Exeter Airport?
Exeter airport offers flights to a good selection of UK cites as well as a growing choice of European destinations. After Fly BMI went bust in 2020, they have managed to win back some new destinations thanks to Ryanair, Scottish airline Loganair and TUI.
The most popular package holiday destinations in Europe such as Malaga, Alicante, Zante, the Algarve and Antalya are served from Exeter Airport – although many of these are seasonal.
Flights from and to Exeter are also much more expensive than the same flight from Bristol or London. However, you do save yourself the extended trip up the line which can be priceless in itself.
Connecting from Exeter Airport to the region
Exeter airport serves as the main airport entry to Devon, west Somerset and Dorset and Cornwall. The best way to connect from Exeter Airport to the region is either to go to Exeter and take a train or bus to your onward destination.
Or hire a car at Exeter Airport. There are a couple of hire car desks in Exeter, but of course it’s much cheaper to book in advance than on the day.
Some connection times from Exeter Airport by car (traffic permitting) are:
- Exeter – 15 minutes
- Netwon Abbott – 20 minutes
- Exmouth/Sidmouth – 20 minutes
- Totnes – 40 minutes
- Tiverton – 20-30 minutes
- Torquay – 40 minutes
- Barnstable – 50 mins – 1 hr
- Plymouth – 45 minutes
- Okehampton – 35 minutes
- Ilfracombe – 1hr 20
- Bideford – 1hr 15
- Salcombe – 1hr 10
- Woolacombe – 1hr 20
If you want to connect by train, coach or taxi obviously these times are much longer and will require going into Exeter city centre.
Hotels near Exeter Airport
If you need to stay near the airport, perhaps for an early flight or late arrival, there are a few airports a short taxi ride from the airport.
The closest chain hotel is a Hampton by Hilton Hotel which is around 5 minutes in a taxi from the airport.
There are also a number of other hotels within a 10 minute drive from the hotel, including a Premier Inn and a number of independent hotels too.
We hope you’ve found our Exeter Airport guide useful. Read more guides about holidays and travel in the wonderful county of Devon right here.
