Plan your journey in advance so that you know where to go and how to get there.

Planning Your Travel to University

Planning Your Travel to University

Once you arrive in the UK you will want to find the most comfortable route to get to your campus so that you can settle into your accommodation. Depending on when you arrive, and where you enter the country, you may be able to take advantage of the  Airport Collection Service (selected days only) so have a look and see if this is an option for you. If you can't book onto the Airport Collection Service we have advice below to help you make your own way to campus.

 

Plan Ahead

Getting to Devon and Cornwall can be a long journey (3-5 hours to Exeter, 5-8 hours to Penryn), so it's wise to plan ahead. Plan and book each stage of your journey to our campuses before travelling. Tickets on the day in the UK can be much more expensive than buying in advance. Booking ahead also guarantees availability. Buy food and drink before you travel, larger airports and stations have good food choices, but there may not be any food outlets open onboard or when you arrive. Please be aware there may be restrictions on whether you can eat or not on public transport. Carry a refillable water bottle, UK tap water is safe to drink.

Travel Light

Only carry the necessities for your journey and first few days on arrival. Limit luggage to what you can carry and move around by yourself. You can send luggage direct to campus, to arrive after you move in (note the University will not accept advance freight of your luggage and cannot store shipped luggage for you in advance of your arrival). You can also order starter packs, such as bedding and kitchen equipment, and they’ll be sent to your residence in time for your arrival. 

Keep in Touch

Carry a UK enabled mobile phone and UK power adapter (many airports, stations, trains and coaches offer free charging points) or spare battery pack. Have the full UK address (including post code) for your accommodation. Have the university emergency contact numbers.

Planning your route

There are some details about getting to our campuses on the Visit Us pages, where you can also find our campus maps. Find some detailed instructions about getting to our Devon and Cornwall campuses by clicking on the relevent tab below:

Getting to Exeter

To help you plan your travel to University, we have put together some guidance about how to get from some of the main airports to the University of Exeter's Streatham campus.

How to Get from Bristol Airport to Cornwall

How to Get from Gatwick Airport to Exeter

How to get from Heathrow Airport to Exeter

How to Get from Stansted Airport to Exeter

How to Get from Bristol Airport to Exeter

How to Get from Dublin Airport to Exeter

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Taxi options 

Apple Taxis are a trusted Exeter company. Students should e-mail Apple Taxis in advance to arrange for a car to meet them at the airport using  info@appletaxisexeter.co.uk. Please state you are an Exeter student when booking to discuss booking rates. You will need to provide your time of arrival, airport terminal number, flight number and number of people travelling per booking. You will need to pre-pay in advance and a car will meet you at your arrival airport. Please note you will also need to make a provisional booking to cover any additional airport parking charges, which can be refunded if your plane lands on time.

Getting to Cornwall

To help you plan your travel to University, we have put together some guidance about how to get from some of the main airports to Truro, Penryn and Falmouth in Cornwall.

How to Get from Bristol Airport to Cornwall

How to get from Heathrow Airport to Exeter

 

Below is a flow chart that gives an overview of how to get to Cornwall from the different airports you might arrive in the UK from. 

 

Taxi options

Abacus Taxis take bookings from major Cornish travel hubs like Newquay Airport and Truro Train Station. Students can email Abacus Taxis in advance to arrange for a car to meet them at the airport using bookings@falmouthtaxis.com, noting that you are a University of Exeter student. You will need to provide your time of arrival, flight number, and number of people travelling per booking. You will need to pre-pay in advance and a car will meet you at your arrival destination.