Please note: Buses will replace trains between Exeter and Axminster from Sat 9 Nov until Fri 22 Nov due to maintenance work. More info
The East Devon Line passes through the beautiful Devon countryside as it heads out from Exeter through Cranbrook and Honiton to Axminster. It then continues as the West of England Line onwards to Salisbury and London Waterloo.
Honiton is a traditional market town, full of specialist antiques shops and famous for its lace-making. Axminster is an unspoilt market town internationally renowned for its carpets.
Thanks to onwards bus connections, the line is a gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast. At Axminster railway station hop on a bus to Seaton, Lyme Regis or West Bay (where much of the television series Broadchurch was filmed). If you are arriving from the east, another alternative is to stay on the train to Honiton and then take a bus to Sidmouth.
Look up train and bus times with the Traveline journey planner.
It takes 40 minutes to travel the line between Exeter and Axminster.
Look up train times with our journey planner, or download the East Devon Line timetable.
Look up onward buses on the Traveline website.
Exeter Central station is located right in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the Princesshay shopping centre (pictured above – photo: Visit Exeter) and the city’s magnificent cathedral. Attractions include John Lewis and other major retailers, the historic quayside, and tours of the city’s medieval underground passageways.
Known as the antiques capital of Devon, Honiton is also famous for its lace and pottery.
Axminster is a destination that’s full of history and is perfect for a stroll and spot of lunch. It also offers onward bus links to explore the Jurassic Coast.
Valid after 09 00 Mon-Fri and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays
Children under the age of 5 travel free and don’t require a ticket.
For advice on taking buggies or prams on the train visit our page about travelling with kids.
5 to 15 year olds get 50% off. Over 15s are classed as adults, but can save with the 16-17 Saver or a 16-25 railcard.
If you live locally, the Devon & Cornwall Railcard is just £12 a year and saves a third for you and an accompanying adult on many local journeys in the two counties, with up to four kids travelling for just £1 each. Terms apply.
Another option is the Family & Friends railcard.
Groups of three to nine people who buy their ticket together get a third off thanks to the Groupsave discount.
Groupsave is valid on Off-Peak Day Return tickets on South Western Railway services.
On the East Devon Line, this includes all trains that depart after 09 00 Monday-Friday and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays.
Live locally? For just £12 a year this card gives Devon and Cornwall residents a third off most Standard Off-Peak tickets for you and a friend when travelling in the two counties. You can also take up to four accompanying children (ages 5-15) on the journey for £1 each.
Now available online – find out more and get yours.
Whether you want to travel Standard or First Class, national railcards give a third off Anytime, Off-Peak and Advanced fares. Most cost just £30 a year.
Available railcards include:
16-25
26-30
Senior
Two Together
Disabled Persons (£20)
Family & Friends
There is also a 16-17 Saver which offers even better savings.
Off-Peak Day Return tickets for trips like Exeter to Axminster (£13.00) are valid on the East Devon Line for journeys after 09 00 Mon-Fri and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays. Look up train times.
(For longer distance journeys you can save a lot of money by booking up to 12 weeks in advance).
Buy your ticket online on the SWR app or website.
Or buy your ticket in person:
Exeter St David’s station
Exeter St David’s has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.
Exeter Central station
Exeter Central has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.
Other staffed station
Honiton and Axminster stations both have ticket offices and ticket machines. You must buy your ticket before you travel.
If you are boarding at an unstaffed station that does not have ticket buying facilities you can buy your ticket on the train from the Conductor.
You can also buy tickets at other stations on the national rail network that have a ticket machine or ticket office.
Devon & Cornwall Railcard
If you live locally you and a friend can save a third on Off-Peak travel in the two counties. Just £12 a year.
Read more
National railcards
Get a third off many rail journeys nationwide. Most railcards cost £30 a year.
Read more
Groupsave
Groups of 3 to 9 people travelling together get a third off Off-Peak Day Return fares on SWR services.
Read more
Devon Day Ranger
Explore Devon’s rail network for a day. The Ranger covers all routes in Devon, plus the Tamar Valley Line.
£16 Adult | £8 Child (5-15).
Read more
Child fares
Under 5s travel free and do not require a ticket. 5-15 year olds are half price.
Average each way
Throughout the day
No trains 25-26 Dec
Off-Peak Day Return tickets for trips like Exeter to Axminster (£13.00) are valid on the East Devon Line for journeys after 09 00 Mon-Fri and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays. Look up train times.
(For longer distance journeys you can save a lot of money by booking up to 12 weeks in advance).
Buy your ticket online on the SWR app or website.
Or buy your ticket in person:
Exeter St David’s station
Exeter St David’s has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.
Exeter Central station
Exeter Central has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.
Other staffed station
Honiton and Axminster stations both have ticket offices and ticket machines. You must buy your ticket before you travel.
If you are boarding at an unstaffed station that does not have ticket buying facilities you can buy your ticket on the train from the Conductor.
You can also buy tickets at other stations on the national rail network that have a ticket machine or ticket office.
Devon & Cornwall Railcard
If you live locally you and a friend can save a third on Off-Peak travel in the two counties. Just £12 a year.
Read more
National railcards
Get a third off many rail journeys nationwide. Most railcards cost £30 a year.
Read more
Groupsave
Groups of 3 to 9 people travelling together get a third off Off-Peak Day Return fares on SWR services.
Read more
Devon Day Ranger
Explore Devon’s rail network for a day. The Ranger covers all routes in Devon, plus the Tamar Valley Line.
£16 Adult | £8 Child (5-15).
Read more
Child fares
Under 5s travel free and do not require a ticket. 5-15 year olds are half price.
Off-Peak Day Return tickets for trips like Exeter to Axminster (£13.00) are valid on the East Devon Line for journeys after 09 00 Mon-Fri and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays. Look up train times.
(For longer distance journeys you can save a lot of money by booking up to 12 weeks in advance).
Buy your ticket online on the SWR app or website.
Or buy your ticket in person:
Exeter St David’s station
Exeter St David’s has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.
Exeter Central station
Exeter Central has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.
Other staffed station
Honiton and Axminster stations both have ticket offices and ticket machines. You must buy your ticket before you travel.
If you are boarding at an unstaffed station that does not have ticket buying facilities you can buy your ticket on the train from the Conductor.
You can also buy tickets at other stations on the national rail network that have a ticket machine or ticket office.
Devon & Cornwall Railcard
If you live locally you and a friend can save a third on Off-Peak travel in the two counties. Just £12 a year.
Read more
National railcards
Get a third off many rail journeys nationwide. Most railcards cost £30 a year.
Read more
Groupsave
Groups of 3 to 9 people travelling together get a third off Off-Peak Day Return fares on SWR services.
Read more
Devon Day Ranger
Explore Devon’s rail network for a day. The Ranger covers all routes in Devon, plus the Tamar Valley Line.
£16 Adult | £8 Child (5-15).
Read more
Child fares
Under 5s travel free and do not require a ticket. 5-15 year olds are half price.