Exeter St Davids to Plymouth Trains From £4.10*

With frequent Great Western Railway services from Exeter St Davids to Plymouth, you can be in Britain’s Ocean City in just over an hour with a direct train. From Exeter St Davids, your train will follow the Exe Estuary past sailboats and mudflats, run along the famous sea wall at Dawlish and Teignmouth and cross Brunel’s iconic Royal Albert Bridge over the River Tamar before arriving in Plymouth.

Exeter St Davids is a key stop on Great Western Railway’s network, linking the city to destinations all across the South West, South Wales and the Cotswolds with both regional and long-distance trains. From Exeter St Davids, you can travel directly to London Paddington, as well as to major cities including Bristol, Cardiff, Oxford, and Penzance.

Departing from Exeter St Davids

Just a mile from the city centre, Exeter St Davids is the city’s main rail hub and easily accessible for all passengers. It’s around a 20-minute walk from the heart of Exeter, with frequent buses, a taxi rank right outside and regular local train connections from both Exeter Central and St Thomas.

Managed by Great Western Railway, Exeter St Davids is the busiest station in Devon and a major hub for Great Western Railway, South Western Railway and CrossCountry with direct trains stretching from London Paddington and Cardiff to Birmingham, Manchester and even Edinburgh, as well as local routes across the county. 

Main stops

Settle in for your scenic Exeter St Davids to Plymouth journey and enjoy sweeping views of estuaries and rolling Devon hills, with many services calling at Newton Abbot, Totnes and Ivybridge before arriving in Plymouth.

Arriving at Plymouth

Just a 10-minute walk from the city centre, Plymouth station is your gateway to sweeping sea views, proud naval heritage, and the lively harbourside quarter of the Barbican. And with dedicated bus stops, car pick-up points and taxi ranks just outside, Plymouth station makes onward travel easy.

Managed by Great Western Railway, Plymouth station is a main stop on both the Exeter-Plymouth line and the Cornish Main Line, with regular services in one direction to London Paddington and to Penzance or Newquay in the other. CrossCountry also runs direct trains from many cities across the UK, including Birmingham, Edinburgh and Newcastle, with most services terminating at Plymouth.

Set between the rivers Plym and Tamar, Plymouth is a historic port with deep maritime roots, from the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 to the departure of the Mayflower voyage in 1620. Today, its historic landmarks – including the Royal Citadel, Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse and the labyrinthine Barbican – stand alongside modern icons and a vibrant waterfront.

Great Western Railway train classes 

• Standard Class: Enjoy a comfortable journey from Exeter St Davids to Plymouth with spacious seating and free Wi-Fi on all Great Western Railway services. On many services, you can also treat yourself to freshly prepared food and drink from the onboard café or restaurant car.
• First Class: Travel from Exeter St Davids to Plymouth First Class and enjoy a little extra comfort with wider seats and generous legroom, as well as fast Wi-Fi and power or USB sockets at your table. Many services also include complimentary drinks and snacks, or Pullman Dining with full meals served at your seat. Weekend upgrades are available from just £10.

Great Western Railway train travel advice

Before you board your Exeter St Davids to Plymouth train, here’s a quick guide to everything you need to know before you travel – from luggage, bikes and family travel to pets and accessibility support.

• Luggage: Passengers can take up to three items on board Great Western Railway services free of charge, whether that’s a suitcase, holdall or rucksack. Larger bags should be stowed in overhead racks or luggage areas at the ends of carriages, while smaller items can be kept at your seat.
• Bicycles: Standard bikes and e-bikes are accepted with a free reservation, though space is limited, so it’s best to book ahead. Folding bikes can travel on any service if folded and stowed as luggage. E-scooters are not permitted.
• Children: Kids under five can travel free of charge, while children aged 5-15 are eligible for half-price fares. Teenagers aged 16-17 can also save 50% with a 16-17 Saver railcard.
• Pets: Passengers may bring up to two pets on board at no extra cost. Dogs must be kept on a lead, and smaller animals should travel in a secure carrier. No pets are allowed on the seats.
• Passenger Assist: If you need a little extra help with boarding, handling luggage or navigating the station, Passenger Assist can be arranged in advance when you book your ticket or via the app, or requested on the day of travel at staffed stations.

CrossCountry offers the fastest link between Exeter St Davids and Plymouth, with direct trains covering the journey in just under an hour. Leaving Exeter St Davids, you’ll travel alongside the Exe Estuary, trace the shoreline at Dawlish and Teignmouth and curve inland through farmland and valleys before crossing the River Tamar on your approach to Plymouth.

CrossCountry has one of the UK’s most extensive long-distance rail networks, with services stretching all the way from Penzance in Cornwall to Aberdeen in Scotland. With Birmingham as its central hub, CrossCountry links Exeter directly with major cities all across the country, including Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Leeds.

CrossCountry train classes 

• Standard Class: Travel in comfort from Exeter St Davids to Plymouth with CrossCountry and enjoy free Wi-Fi and spacious seating, plus the option of onboard dining on many services.
• First Class: Travel Exeter St Davids to Plymouth first class and make the most of wider reclining seats, extra legroom, and at-seat tables – perfect for either working or unwinding. Many services also include complimentary snacks and soft drinks.

CrossCountry train travel advice

Planning to travel from Exeter St Davids to Plymouth with CrossCountry? Here’s a quick look at everything you need to know, including luggage, bikes, children, pets, and accessibility support.

• Luggage: As space onboard is limited, CrossCountry recommends bringing just one medium-sized bag with you, if possible. On long-distance Voyager trains, larger suitcases can be stored in the luggage racks in Coaches D and J.
• Bicycles: Standard bikes and e-bikes are welcome onboard CrossCountry services with a free reservation, but it’s recommended to book ahead to secure your spot. Folding bikes can travel on all services without a booking, and e-scooters are not permitted.
• Children: Children under five can travel free, while children aged 5-15 get 50% off standard fares when travelling with a fare-paying adult. Families can unlock even greater savings with a Family & Friends Railcard, giving adults a third off fares and children 60% off.
• Pets: Passengers can bring up to two pets on board free of charge. Dogs should be kept on a lead or in a secure carrier, and all pets must stay off the seats.
• Passenger Assist: If you need help boarding, handling luggage, navigating stations or reserving a wheelchair space, you can pre-book Passenger Assist when buying your tickets, or just ask staff at the station on the day of travel.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.