How to get to Devon

Boasting some of the UK’s most stunning coastline, wild national parks and quaint country villages, the journey to Devon certainly isn’t boring. No matter how you choose to get there, you’ll be treated to fabulous views along the way. Getting to Devon is fairly easy by car or public transport if you're coming from the UK, but there are also several international airports located just a few hours away if you’re travelling from further afield.

Taking the train to Devon

Devon has great rail connections with the rest of Britain. First Great Western operates the route from London Paddington and the Cotswolds, and South Western Railway operates the route from Waterloo. Both lines stop at Exeter, Tiverton, St Davids, Plymouth and Newton Abbot. From these main stations, you can transfer to a local line or jump on a bus to travel to some of Devon's smaller or more remote towns and villages.

If you’re travelling from Europe, you can take the Eurostar to London St Pancras. From here, transfer to Paddington Station where you can jump on the First Great Western train to Devon.

Taking the bus to Devon

The National Express operates long-distance bus services to Devon from all over Britain, stopping at Exeter, Exmouth, Tiverton, Torquay, Plymouth, Bideford, Barnstaple and Ilfracombe. Coach travel in the UK is an affordable and comfortable way to get around with USB charging ports, reclining seats and an onboard toilet.

Driving to Devon

If you’re driving, you'll likely enter Devon via the M5 which connects the Midlands with the South West, or the A303 which connects to the M3 (which then connects to the M25). If you're driving from London or anywhere else in the South East, the A303 will be the route for you. If you fancy taking a more scenic, albeit longer, route, you could also drive along the Atlantic Highway which cuts through Devon, Cornwall and Somerset via the South West Peninsula of England.

Driving in Devon is fairly easy, but it can take a bit of getting used to the narrow country lanes in rural areas if you normally drive on bigger roads. With a bit of patience and practise, you’ll be good to go.

Flying to Devon

Exeter Airport is Devon’s largest airport with flights to over 27 destinations in the UK and Europe. The next closest airports are Plymouth City Aiport, Newquay Cornwall Airport and Bristol Airport. However, the UK is compact, so even if you fly into London Heathrow or Gatwick you can simply jump on a train to Exeter.

Taking the ferry to Devon

You can take a ferry to Plymouth from Roscoff in France and Santander in Spain with Brittany Ferries. There are multiple crossings every week and the journey takes around five hours from Roscoff and 20 hours from Santander depending on sea conditions.

Getting around Devon

Once you’re in Devon, getting around is easy thanks to a reliable public transport network. Most of Devon’s major towns and villages are well-connected via bus routes with Stagecoach South West.

If you're travelling by train, make sure to check out some of the scenic rail lines such as the English Riviera, Dartmoor and Tarka lines that offer unbeatable views of the Devonshire coast and countryside. Rural areas might have limited public transport or no services at all, so be sure to plan ahead.

Want to learn more about Devon? Return to Devon FAQs

Our Devon tours