Tarka Line train north of Portsmouth Arms

Tarka Line

Exeter - Barnstaple

Video Photos

The scenic Tarka Line runs from Exeter to Barnstaple, following the gentle river valleys of the Yeo and Taw.

Fares Train times

The scenic Tarka Line runs from Exeter to Barnstaple, following the gentle river valleys of the Yeo and Taw.

The Tarka Line is an ideal and picturesque way to visit Barnstaple, capital of North Devon or to reach the great cathedral city of Exeter. The line has linked North and South Devon since 1854.

Stop off to explore the historic market town of Crediton and rural Eggesford, where the first state forest was planted in 1919.

Once in Barnstaple, enjoy a top locally-sourced cooked breakfast right at the station courtesy of the Stationmaster’s Cafe. The station also has its own bike hire. Explore the famous Tarka Trail, starting right from the station, or visit the beautiful North Devon coast by onward bus from outside the station.

The line is great walking territory. The book Tarka Line Walks has 60 walks from stations to explore. The line also has its own voluntary organisation, The Tarka Rail Association, to support and further the interests of rail users.

Dogs are welcome on the train.

Full guide to visiting North Devon by train
Train at Eggesford on Tarka Line
Eggesford Church with Tarka Line train behind

Eggesford, midway along the Tarka Line

Walk at Umberleigh

Umberleigh

Walking the Tarka Trail

The Tarka Trail, which you can join from Barnstaple station. Photo: Stephen Ring.

Barnstaple - photo by Stephen Ring

Barnstaple. Photo: Stephen Ring.

£14.00
Exeter - BarnstapleOff-Peak Day Return
i
When & where
to buy tickets

Tarka Line

Featured Destinations

Barnstaple

It's a must!

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Tarka Line

Line Highlights

The Tarka Trail

Barnstaple station is the starting point for the Tarka Trail which offers up to 21 miles of scenic, level, traffic-free cycling.

 

Hire a bike from right next to Barnstaple station, and then cycle from Barnstaple along the estuary to Instow, Bideford, Torrington or beyond from 12 miles to 40 miles.

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MORE HIGHLIGHTS

The North Devon coast

The beautiful South West Coast Path is within easy reach of Barnstaple station. Information boards offer walks from the station which vary in difficulty and length, depending on how energetic you are feeling!

There are also plenty of buses to take you out to the coast. Stagecoach buses 21 and 21a, for example, link Barnstaple with Ilfracombe and Westward Ho!. Look up times.

Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe is a traditional seaside town dating mostly from the 19th century. The town centre is full of old fashioned charm, a variety of independent shops and a number of beaches accessible from the town centre, the most famous being Tunnels Beaches.

 

 

Buying Tickets

Exeter to Barnstaple

£

14.00

Off-Peak Day Return. Valid after the morning peak and anytime weekends or Bank Holidays.
If you can, please buy your ticket online on the GWR app or website. Download it to your mobile device or smart ticket where possible.

WHERE TO BUY
LOOK UP TRAIN TIMES

Great fares from further afield

EXMOUTH TO
BARNSTAPLE

£

14.10

Adult Off-Peak Day Return

Fares explained

2hr 10min

Approximate journey time

PLYMOUTH TO
BARNSTAPLE

£

14.10

Adult Off-Peak Day Return

Fares explained

2hr 30min

Approximate journey time

Fares
£14.00
Exeter - BarnstapleOff-Peak Day Return

Valid on all trains towards Barnstaple. If travelling from Barnstaple to Exeter valid after 08 30 Mon-Fri or any time on weekends on Bank Holidays

Get other faresnew tab
UNDER 5s Travel Free 5-15 YR OLDS Half Price GROUPS Get 1/3 Off RAILCARDS Get 1/3 Off
Ticket Buying Tips

UNDER 5s TRAVEL FREE

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.

5-15 YEAR OLDS GO HALF-PRICE

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.

It’s also worth checking out the Family & Friends railcard.

SAVINGS FOR SMALL GROUPS

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 Great Western Railway services.

On the Tarka Line, this includes all trains towards Barnstaple. If your outward journey is from Barnstaple to Exeter, Groupsave is valid on trains that depart after 08 30 Monday-Friday and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays.

SAVE 1/3 WITH A RAILCARD

Devon and Cornwall Railcard

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.

Find out more and get yours.

National railcards

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.

Ticket Buying Tips

What type of ticket to buy

Off-Peak Day Return tickets for trips like Exeter to Barnstaple (£14.00) are valid on all trains to Barnstaple. If travelling from Barnstaple to Exeter as your outward journey, Off-Peak Day Returns are valid after 08 30 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).

Where to purchase

Buy your ticket online on the GWR app or website.

Or buy your ticket in person:

Exeter St David’s station
Exeter St David’s station has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.

Exeter Central station
Exeter Central station has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.

Barnstaple station
Barnstaple station has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.

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 at other stations on the national rail network that have a ticket machine or ticket office.

Ways to save

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 GWR 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.

Train Times

Look Up Times on gwr.com

From

To

 PDF Timetable

1HR 15 MIN Journey

Average each way

HOURLY Departures

Throughout the day

7 days a week

No trains 25-26 Dec

Ticket Buying Tips

Ticket Buying Tips

What type of ticket to buy

Off-Peak Day Return tickets for trips like Exeter to Barnstaple (£14.00) are valid on all trains to Barnstaple. If travelling from Barnstaple to Exeter as your outward journey, Off-Peak Day Returns are valid after 08 30 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).

Where to purchase

Buy your ticket online on the GWR app or website.

Or buy your ticket in person:

Exeter St David’s station
Exeter St David’s station has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.

Exeter Central station
Exeter Central station has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.

Barnstaple station
Barnstaple station has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.

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 at other stations on the national rail network that have a ticket machine or ticket office.

Ways to save

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 GWR 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.

Tickets

Ticket Buying Tips

What type of ticket to buy

Off-Peak Day Return tickets for trips like Exeter to Barnstaple (£14.00) are valid on all trains to Barnstaple. If travelling from Barnstaple to Exeter as your outward journey, Off-Peak Day Returns are valid after 08 30 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).

Where to purchase

Buy your ticket online on the GWR app or website.

Or buy your ticket in person:

Exeter St David’s station
Exeter St David’s station has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.

Exeter Central station
Exeter Central station has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.

Barnstaple station
Barnstaple station has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.

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 at other stations on the national rail network that have a ticket machine or ticket office.

Ways to save

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 GWR 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.

Fares Times