Bristol Airport to Exeter is about 54 miles by road. A direct FlixBus coach from the airport's own bus station covers it in as little as 1 hour 25 minutes from around £8.99, checked 2026, while the train via Bristol Temple Meads takes a little longer but can cost about the same or less if you book ahead. A pre-booked taxi is the fastest door-to-door option for a family or late-night arrival, though fares should be confirmed with a live quote rather than assumed in advance.
How do I get from Bristol Airport to Exeter?
There are three realistic ways to make the journey: a direct coach, a train with one change, or a taxi. Which one makes sense depends on how much luggage you are carrying, what time you land, and whether cost or speed matters more.
By direct coach (FlixBus)
FlixBus runs a direct coach service between Bristol Airport and Exeter, departing from Bay 7 at Bristol Airport Bus Station, signposted from the Public Transport Interchange. The route covers a minimum distance of 54 miles with a minimum trip duration of around 1 hour 25 minutes, and fares start from about £8.99, checked 2026. This is the only option on this route that does not require a change, since it picks up at the airport itself rather than requiring a connection into Bristol first.
By train, via Bristol Temple Meads
There is no train station at the airport, so the rail option starts with the A1 Airport Flyer coach into Bristol Temple Meads. That leg costs £9.50 for an adult single, runs 24 hours a day, and takes roughly 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic, with services as frequent as every 8 minutes at peak times.
From Temple Meads, direct trains run to Exeter St Davids, with a fastest journey time of around 57 minutes, though a typical journey is closer to 1 hour 27 minutes depending on the service. There are dozens of departures a day. Fares vary considerably with how far ahead you book: advance singles have been seen from around £8, rising well into double figures for a walk-up fare closer to the time of travel. Add the Flyer leg, the connection time at Temple Meads, and the change of platform, and door-to-door you are typically looking at somewhere in the region of 2 to 2.5 hours all in.
By taxi
A pre-booked taxi is the only fully door-to-door option and the fastest if traffic cooperates, useful for an early or late flight when public transport is running less often, or if you are travelling with young children, heavy luggage, or connecting straight on to a rural part of Devon that public transport does not reach easily. Because this is a longer-distance transfer rather than one of Bristol Airport's standard city or nearby-town routes, get a live quote from your chosen operator rather than assuming a fixed price, since fares for a roughly 54-mile trip can vary between operators. This site's taxi options guide explains how airport taxi pricing generally works and what affects the fare.
Bristol Airport to Exeter: options compared
| Option | Cost | Journey time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct FlixBus coach | From ~£8.99 | From ~1h25m | No change, departs Bay 7 at the airport bus station |
| A1 Flyer + train via Temple Meads | £9.50 (Flyer) + rail fare from ~£8 | ~2h to 2.5h door to door | Cheapest if booked ahead, but involves a change |
| Pre-booked taxi | Get a live quote | Fastest, traffic dependent | Door-to-door, best for luggage, families or off-peak hours |
Booking tips for this route
Book the FlixBus coach in advance where possible, since walk-up fares on the day can be higher than advance pricing, and confirm your exact departure bay at the airport's Public Transport Interchange. If you are taking the train route, check the connection time between the A1 Flyer arriving at Temple Meads and your onward train, and build in some margin, since coach journey times can vary with traffic on the way into Bristol. For general timing guidance on how far ahead to plan an airport journey, see this site's routes and fares overview.
Is the coach or the train better value?
If you can book the FlixBus coach in advance and it fits your schedule, it is usually the simplest option since it is direct from the airport with no change required. The train can be similarly priced or cheaper if you catch an advance fare, but it involves an extra leg (the A1 Flyer into Temple Meads) and a platform change, so it suits travellers who do not mind the extra step in exchange for potentially lower rail fares or a specific arrival time at Exeter St Davids rather than a coach stop.
Returning from Exeter to Bristol Airport
The same three options work in reverse. FlixBus runs the return coach route, and Great Western Railway and CrossCountry services from Exeter St Davids connect back to Bristol Temple Meads, from where the A1 Flyer runs around the clock back to the airport. Build in extra time before an early flight, since the first Flyer departures and first trains of the day may not align perfectly with a very early check-in.
FAQs
Is there a direct bus from Bristol Airport to Exeter?
Yes. FlixBus runs a direct coach from Bristol Airport Bus Station to Exeter, from around £8.99 and taking from about 1 hour 25 minutes, checked 2026, with no change required.
Is there a train station at Bristol Airport?
No. There is no rail station at the airport itself. Rail travellers first take the A1 Airport Flyer coach into Bristol Temple Meads, then a direct train on to Exeter St Davids.
How long does the train journey from Bristol Airport to Exeter take overall?
Around 2 to 2.5 hours door to door once you include the A1 Flyer leg into Temple Meads, the connection, and the rail journey itself, which takes roughly 57 minutes to 1 hour 27 minutes depending on the service.
How much does a taxi from Bristol Airport to Exeter cost?
There is no single fixed fare for this roughly 54-mile route. Get a live quote from a pre-booked operator, since prices vary by vehicle type, time of day and operator.
Which is cheaper, the coach or the train?
Both can be similarly priced if booked in advance, with the coach starting from around £8.99 and rail fares (Flyer plus train) starting from roughly £17.50 combined when booked ahead. Walk-up fares on either option tend to be more expensive.
Does the FlixBus coach pick up inside the airport?
Yes. It departs from Bay 7 at Bristol Airport Bus Station, part of the Public Transport Interchange, signposted from the terminal.