Whether you’re visiting Exeter for a day out, planning a short break or using the city as a base for exploring Devon, a little planning can make getting around easier. Knowing how to reach the city, where to park and how to find the places you want to visit can help you make the most of your time here.
We’ve brought together a collection of Exeter travel guides, location information and maps to help you plan your visit.
How Do You Get to Exeter?
Exeter is an important city in Devon, with road and rail connections serving the South West and destinations further afield. Depending on where you’re travelling from, you may choose to arrive by train, car, bus, coach or plane.
Exeter has two mainline railway stations, Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central, while Exeter Airport provides another option for some domestic and international journeys. The M5, A30 and A38 are important road connections for people travelling into the city and onwards around Devon.
The best option will depend on your starting point, destination and travel plans. Check journey information before setting off, as transport services and routes can change.
Planning your journey? Our Travelling to Exeter guide covers the main ways to reach the city.
Where Can You Park in Exeter?
If you’re driving to Exeter, it’s worth considering where you want to go before choosing a parking option. A car park close to your destination may be convenient for a short visit, while Park & Ride can be an alternative if you’re happy to leave your car outside the city centre and continue by bus.
Exeter’s public Park & Ride sites include Sowton, Honiton Road and Matford. Check the latest parking arrangements and bus information before travelling, particularly if you’re visiting at a weekend or on a public holiday.
Our Exeter Car Parks & Parking guide helps you explore the available options and find links to individual parking locations.
Getting Around Exeter
Once you’ve arrived, there are several ways to travel around Exeter. Many central destinations can be reached on foot, while local buses, taxis and private hire vehicles provide alternatives for journeys across the city and surrounding area.
Your choice of transport may depend on where you’re staying, which attractions you want to visit and whether you’re travelling beyond the city centre.
For an overview of local travel options, visit our Exeter Transport & Travel guide, which covers buses, rail travel, Park & Ride, taxis, private hire and car hire.
Use Maps to Find Places Nearby
A map can be useful for more than simply finding an address. It can help you understand where a hotel is in relation to the city centre, see how close an attraction is to a railway station or explore what else is nearby.
Our Exeter location pages include information about individual places around the city. Some also link to interactive maps that allow you to explore surrounding accommodation, attractions and other points of interest.
For example, you could start with the Rougemont Hotel and use its map to explore places in the surrounding area.
You can also explore our Exeter Maps & Locations guide for links to railway stations, the bus station, the airport, Park & Ride sites, parking and other locations.
Explore Exeter Before You Arrive
Planning ahead can help you make better use of your time, whether you’re visiting for a few hours or staying for several days. You can identify the places you want to see, consider the transport options and explore the area around your accommodation before you set off.
Our Exeter Travel & Transport hub brings together the main guides, making it a useful starting point when planning a visit.
For links to some of the transport operators and travel information services, you can also visit the Exeter Transport Directory.
With travel information, parking guidance and location maps in one place, you can start planning your Exeter visit and decide how best to explore the city and the wider Devon area.
More Ways to Explore Exeter
Once you’ve planned your journey, you can explore more of what Exeter has to offer.
- Exeter Attractions: Discover places to visit, historic landmarks and things to see around the city. Explore Exeter Attractions
- Exeter Hotels & Accommodation: Find accommodation location pages and use interactive maps to explore places nearby. Explore Exeter Accommodation