Exeter is the ancient capital of Devon in South West England — a city of 2,000 years of history, from Roman fortress to Norman cathedral city to thriving modern university city. Exeter combines an exceptionally preserved medieval city centre (including the magnificent Gothic cathedral and 2,000-year-old city walls) with easy access to some of England's finest natural landscapes: Dartmoor National Park (30 minutes west), the UNESCO Jurassic Coast (30 minutes south), and the beaches of the English Riviera (25 minutes south). Exeter is the ideal gateway to the South West.
Exeter Airport (EXT) is served by KLM from Amsterdam, Aer Lingus from Dublin, Air France from Paris, and Ryanair on selected European routes. FareOptic compares all fares to find the cheapest flights to Exeter.







*All above fares are one way/round trip. Fares incl. all fuel surcharges, taxes & fees and our service fees. Displayed fares are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed at the time of booking. See all booking terms and conditions.
Based on popular routes and current airfare deals
Exeter offers a remarkable combination of medieval history, world-class coastline, and wild moorland — all within 30 minutes of a compact, walkable city with excellent dining and a vibrant university culture.
Exeter Cathedral (Cathedral Church of Saint Peter) is one of England's finest medieval cathedrals — notable for its exceptional Norman towers (two of the oldest surviving towers in England), the longest uninterrupted Gothic vaulted ceiling in the world, and an ornate astronomical clock dating from the 14th century. The Cathedral Green provides a beautiful setting in the heart of the city.
Visit during choral evensong (weekdays 5:30pm, Sundays 3pm) for a free, magnificent musical experience inside the medieval nave — one of England's great free cultural experiences
The Jurassic Coast — England's only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site — stretches 95 miles along the Dorset and Devon coastline from Exmouth to Studland Bay. The coast exposes 185 million years of Earth's geological history in dramatic cliffs, coves, and rock formations. Highlights include the natural arch at Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, and the remarkable fossil-rich cliffs at Charmouth.
Take the train from Exeter St Davids to Exmouth (30 minutes) — the western end of the Jurassic Coast — then walk the coastal path toward Budleigh Salterton for spectacular red sandstone cliffs
Dartmoor National Park — England's highest land south of Brecon Beacons — is a wild, ancient landscape of granite tors, prehistoric stone circles, deep river valleys, and open moorland covering 368 square miles. Just 30 minutes from Exeter, Dartmoor offers exceptional hiking, wild camping (uniquely legal in England here), and horse riding through a landscape that has barely changed in millennia.
Walk from Haytor Rocks to Hound Tor (4 miles) — granite tors with sweeping views across the moor, mysterious medieval ruins at Hound Tor village, and wild Dartmoor ponies grazing freely
Sidmouth is one of England's most perfectly preserved Regency seaside towns — an elegant resort of white-painted thatched cottages, Victorian hotels, and formal gardens set between dramatic red sandstone cliffs on the Jurassic Coast. The town has remained largely unchanged since the early 19th century and offers excellent cliff walks, a fine shingle beach, and a relaxed English seaside atmosphere.
Walk the cliff path from Sidmouth to Beer (7 miles) — dramatic Jurassic Coast cliffs, secluded coves, and the charming fishing village of Beer at the end. Return by bus along the coast road
Powderham Castle — the ancestral home of the Earls of Devon since 1391 — sits in a deer park beside the Exe Estuary, just 8 miles from Exeter. The castle combines medieval fortifications with 18th-century state rooms decorated with original furniture, portraits, and porcelain. The grounds include a walled garden, ancient deer park, and estuary views.
Visit during Devon County Show (May) or the Powderham Music Festival (summer) — the castle grounds transform into a spectacular outdoor events venue with the castle as a backdrop
Torquay — the largest town of the English Riviera — is famous for its palm-lined harbour, sandy beaches, and Mediterranean-style waterfront. The English Riviera (Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham) enjoys the mildest climate in England, and Torquay's Torre Abbey, Agatha Christie connections, and Brixham's working fishing harbour make it a complete coastal destination.
Oddicombe Beach (reached by the Babbacombe Cliff Railway) is one of Devon's most beautiful beaches — accessible only on foot or by the Victorian funicular, which keeps it quieter and more pristine
KLM's Amsterdam hub is the best way to reach Exeter from most non-European origins — one connecting flight via AMS reaches Exeter from North America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. KLM's reliability and SkyTeam connections make Amsterdam the logical transit point for Exeter-bound travelers.
September is the best month for visiting Devon — warm seas from summer heating (often the warmest sea temperatures of the year), drier and more settled weather than August, and significantly fewer tourists on the Jurassic Coast and Dartmoor. Accommodation prices drop noticeably after school holidays end in early September.
From, citizens of most countries (including US and EU) visiting England require a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA, £10) — apply online via the UK government website before traveling. The ETA is linked to your passport and is valid for multiple visits over 2 years. It is not a visa — processing usually takes a few days.
Exeter Airport has all major car hire companies. A hire car is strongly recommended for visitors — Dartmoor, the Jurassic Coast, and the South Devon coast are all within 30–60 minutes but poorly served by public transport. Driving on left with a UK licence or international driving permit; roads are narrow in rural Devon.
KLM operates regular services between Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and Exeter (EXT), making Exeter one of the few UK regional airports with a direct connection to a major European hub. KLM's Amsterdam hub provides onward connections to over 150 destinations worldwide via the SkyTeam network.
Amsterdam AMS to EXT; connections across Europe, North America, and Asia via KLM's Schiphol hub
Aer Lingus Regional (operated by Emerald Airlines) connects Dublin (DUB) to Exeter (EXT), providing convenient access for Irish travelers visiting South West England. Dublin also serves as a transatlantic connection point for North American travelers routing via Ireland.
Dublin DUB to EXT; connections to North America via Aer Lingus transatlantic routes at DUB
Air France provides seasonal connections between Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Exeter, giving travelers from France and broader Europe a direct route to South West England. CDG connections open access to Air France's global SkyTeam network.
Paris CDG to EXT (seasonal); connections across Europe, Africa, and North America via CDG
Ryanair operates selected routes from European cities to Exeter, often providing the lowest fares for budget travelers from Spain, Portugal, and other European destinations. Ryanair uses Exeter as a regional UK gateway for its European low-cost network.
Madrid MAD, various European cities to EXT; extensive low-cost connections across Europe
Vueling operates from Barcelona (BCN) to Exeter with seasonal services, connecting travelers from Catalonia and southern Europe. TAP Air Portugal links Lisbon (LIS) to Exeter, providing access for Portuguese and Brazilian travelers transiting via Lisbon.
Barcelona BCN via Vueling; Lisbon LIS via TAP; connections to Brazil and Portuguese-speaking world via LIS
British Pound (GBP) — 1 USD ≈ 0.78 GBP approx.
English
GMT (UTC+0) / BST (UTC+1) in summer
+44 (UK)
EXT — Exeter Airport (5 miles E of city centre)
UK ETA (£10) required for most nationalities incl. US & EU
Type G — 230V / 50Hz (UK 3-pin plug)
999 (UK) / 112 (EU standard)
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Exeter, England
KLM flies regularly from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Exeter, providing the best international hub connection. Aer Lingus Regional serves Dublin (DUB), Air France connects Paris CDG, and Ryanair operates selected European routes. Exeter is a regional airport — connections via Amsterdam, Dublin, or London are typically required for long-haul travel.
Stagecoach bus service 56 runs from Exeter Airport to Exeter city centre (approximately 30 minutes, fare around £3.50). Taxis take about 15 minutes and cost approximately £15–20. The airport is 5 miles east of the city centre — no rail connection exists directly to the airport.
Citizens of most countries require a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA, £10) for short stays in England — apply online before travel. US, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens do not require a full visa for tourism. The ETA is valid for 2 years with multiple entries. Check the UK government visa checker for your nationality.
June–September for the best weather — Devon enjoys England's mildest climate with warm summers. July–August is peak season with high prices and crowds. September is ideal: warm seas, lower prices, and fewer tourists. The Jurassic Coast is best walked in spring and autumn when the light is dramatic and paths quieter.
The western end of the Jurassic Coast at Exmouth is 12 miles from Exeter — about 30 minutes by car or 30 minutes by train from Exeter St Davids. The spectacular mid-Jurassic Coast (Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove) is 60–80 miles east of Exeter — a 2-hour drive through Dorset.
Dartmoor National Park is 8 miles west of Exeter — about 30 minutes by car to Haytor or Princetown. Dartline bus services (weekend summer services) run from Exeter to several Dartmoor villages. A hire car is recommended for flexible access to the moor's remote tors and walking areas.
British Pound Sterling (GBP). All prices in England are in GBP. USD and EUR are not accepted. Exchange currency at the airport, city centre banks, or post offices. ATMs are widely available. At current rates, 1 USD ≈ 0.78 GBP. Contactless payments are universally accepted across Devon and the South West.
Excellent — Exeter is the capital of Devon and the ideal base for the entire South West. Within 90 minutes: Dartmoor, the Jurassic Coast, the Cornish coast, Plymouth, Bath, and Bristol are all accessible. The M5 motorway and National Rail (Great Western Railway) provide fast connections to Bristol and London Paddington (2 hours).
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