Travelling to our campuses for new international students
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.
Below are detailed instructions about getting to our Devon and Cornwall campuses from the most popular airports. You can find campus maps, virtual tours, addresses and directions on the Visit Us pages.
Airport collection service
The Exeter Welcome Team will be in Heathrow Terminal 5 to greet you on Saturday 12 September and Sunday 13 September 2026 from 08.00-14.00.
They will provide coach transport to Exeter Streatham campus and Penryn campus and necessary transfer to allocated accommodation on our campuses and Exeter city centre. If you are living off Penryn campus or are outside Exeter city centre you will be asked to book a private taxi to take you to your accommodation.
Departure times on Saturday and Sunday:
- to Exeter campuses: 09.00, 10.30, 12.00, 13.30, 14.00
- to Penryn campus: 11.00
There is a charge of £60 per seat.
Lunch bags can be booked and collected on arrival at Exeter campus for £6.
Penryn students will be contacted separately with food arrangements.
Booking link will open here on 1 July 2026
- Exeter campus Airport Collection Service
- Penryn campus Airport Collection Service
Bookings for all services will close Tuesday 8 September 2026, 12 noon (BST).
Who can use the service?
- The Airport Collection coach service from Heathrow to Exeter and Penryn is available to all students, including International Study Centre students.
- Accompanying family members can book onto the service but we can only provide accommodation for those listed on the university accommodation contract. We can advise family members of local hotels on request.
- Any accompanying children must be able to sit in the coach seat independently using the seat belt to comply with our coach insurance. We cannot accept bookings for babies or children unable to comply with this.
- We ask that you try to limit yourself to 2 large suitcases and 1 carry on per seat booked. We do not have size or weight restrictions but we do need to get all the luggage on the coaches and please remember that you will be responsible for moving your own luggage when you get to your accommodation (some of which don't have elevators!).
Which coach should I book?
- Please allow at least 2.5 hours between your flight arrival time and your proposed coach time to allow for customs, baggage and terminal transfers. If your flight arrival time does not allow for this you can book at your own discretion but you will not be eligible for a refund if you miss your coach on the day.
- Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. We will not hold a reserve list. If we receive cancellations, those places will be made available on the online store again.
Student international travel advice
- The University has its most up to date information on travel here.
- There are currently no covid requirements when travelling. We recommend you also look at the UK Government information.
Procedure on the day
- Allow 2.5 hours between your flight arrival time and your coach departure time.
- Report to the Exeter Welcome Team (inside Terminal 5 Arrivals) no later than 20 minutes before your coach departure time. They will be wearing pink t-shirts and holding Exeter signs. We cannot give a specific location but you won't miss them!
- Coaches will depart at the scheduled time.
- It will take approximately 3.5 hours to get to Exeter, 5.5 hours to Penryn.
- You may wish to wear a face mask for the duration of the journey and using hand sanitiser.
- Coaches depart from outside Terminal 5
If your arrival time means that you will not be able to use the Airport Collection Service please see our advice for travelling to Exeter or Penryn independently.
Cancellations and Missed Coaches
- To cancel your booking email acs@exeter.ac.uk with the name on the booking, time/date of coach and booking reference. We will acknowledge your cancellation email.
- If you wish to book onto a different coach time, please cancel your original booking and book your new time on the online system. We cannot ‘swap’ seat between coaches for you.
- You will receive a full refund if we receive your cancellation email 7 days before your coach departure.
This service only runs at these scheduled times in September. For information on how to travel to campus at other times of the year, see our section on planning your travel to university independently.
Planning your travel to university independently
Our top travel tips
- Think about when your flight arrives and travel time to your accommodation
- Heathrow to Exeter: 3-5 hours
- Heathrow to Penryn: 5-8 hours
- Book your travel in advance, if you can, as tickets are often cheaper
- Buy food and drink before you get on your train or bus. It will be cheaper! UK tap water is safe to drink- you can refill your own bottle at the airport if you have a refillable water bottle
- Have essential documents in your hand luggage and keep copies on your phone
- Travel light. You can send items from home to your accommodation once you move in and even buy bedding or kitchen packs in advance to be there on your arrival
- Call home when you land to let them know you've arrived safely. Remember to have a UK charger with you. We have UK SIM cards for you when you get to Exeter until you organise your own mobile contracts
Getting to Exeter
Bus: You can use the following coach companies outside terminals. Megabus and South West Falcon: Bristol Airport Bus Station to Exeter Honiton Road (Park and Ride). Journey time: 2 hours. Price: £15.40. Tickets must be booked in advance: https://uk.megabus.com/.
Train: Bristol Temple Meads to Exeter St Davids. Journey time: 1 hour. Price: £38. You can book your train tickets online: https://www.thetrainline.com/
More info here: How to get from Bristol airport to Exeter
Bus: Get a National Express bus from London Victoria Coach station to Exeter Bampfylde Street. Journey time: 5 hours. Price: £10.80. Prebook online: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en
Train: Gatwick Airport South Terminal to Exeter St Davids. Journey time: 4 hours. Prices range: £67.10 - £84.60. Book your train tickets online: https://www.thetrainline.com/
More info here: How to get from Gatwick airport to Exeter
Airport Collection Service: 13 and 14 September 2025 only
Bus: Get a National Express bus from Heathrow Airport terminal bus stations (apart from Terminal 1). You will need to book your ticket: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en. Please ensure that when you are booking, you put the same terminal you arrive. Journey time: 3.5 – 6 hours. Prices range from: £23.60- £35.60.
Train: London Paddington to Exeter St Davids. Journey time: 2-3 hours. Prices range: £36.50 - £60.50. Book your train tickets online: https://www.thetrainline.com/
More info here: How to get from Heathrow airport to Exeter
Bus: Get a National Express bus from London Stansted coach station to Exeter Bampfylde Street. Journey time: 6 hours. Price: £27.50 - £37. You will need to book your ticket: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en.
Train: London Paddington to Exeter St Davids. Journey time: 2-3 hours. Prices range: £36.50 - £60.50. Book your train tickets online: https://www.thetrainline.com/
More info here: How to get from Stansted airport to Exeter
If you are flying into Dublin Airport you will need to then fly into either Bristol or Exeter Airport.
Arriving at Exeter Airport:
Bus: Catch a Stagecoach bus (4A) from outside the airport to Exeter St David’s station. Journey time: 30mins. Price: £3. You can purchase a ticket on the bus or before boarding: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/tickets
Arriving at Bristol Airport:
Bus: Catch the A2 bus (Airport Flyer Express) from outside the airport to Bristol Temple Meads and then the train to Exeter St David’s train station. Journey time between the airport to Bristol Temple Meads: 30mins. Price: £9. Tickets can be purchased online: https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/to-and-from-the-airport/by-airport-flyer/. See above for details on how to travel between Bristol and Exeter.
More info here: How to get from Dublin airport to Exeter
Apple Taxis are the largest Exeter taxi company.
- Email Apple Taxis in advance to arrange for a car to meet you at the airport using info@appletaxisexeter.co.uk.
- Identify yourself as a University of Exeter student when booking to discuss booking rates.
- Provide your time of arrival, airport terminal number, flight number and number of people travelling per booking.
- Pay in advance and a car will meet you at your arrival airport. 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.
Use Google Maps to help plan your route
Getting to Cornwall
Bus: Get a National Express bus from Bristol Bus & Coach Station to Plymouth coach station, followed by a second bus to Truro, Penryn or Falmouth. Journey time: 7-11 hours. Price: £35.60 - £40. Tickets must be bought in advance from this website: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en
Train: Bristol Temple Meads to Truro, Penryn or Falmouth. Journey time: 4 hours. Price: £25.50 - £87. You can book your train tickets online: https://www.thetrainline.com/
More info here: How to get from Bristol airport to Cornwall
Airport Collection Service: 13 and 14 September 2025 only
Bus: Heathrow Airport bus stands to Truro, Penryn, Falmouth. Some routes will go directly to Cornwall others may require you to change at Bristol. Journey time: 8 hours. Price: £21- £30. Tickets must be bought in advance:
- National Express https://www.nationalexpress.com/en
- Megabus https://www.megabus.co.uk/
- FlixBus https://www.flixbus.co.uk/
Train: London Paddington to Truro, Penryn, Falmouth. Journey time: 5 hours. Price: £59 - £77. You can book your train tickets online: https://www.thetrainline.com/
More info here: How to get from Heathrow airport to Cornwall
Bus: Newquay Airport to Truro bus station. There are bus connections from Newquay Airport to Penryn Campus. Journey time: 2 hours. Check here for routes: http://www.travelinesw.com/
Abacus Taxis take bookings from major Cornish travel hubs like Newquay Airport and Truro train station.
- Email Abacus Taxis in advance to arrange for a car to meet you at the airport using bookings@falmouthtaxis.com
- Identify yourself as a University of Exeter student.
- Provide your time of arrival, flight number, and number of people travelling per booking.
- Pay in advance and a car will meet you at your arrival destination.
Use Google Maps to help plan your route.