Exeter Airport (EXT)
Exeter Airport (EXT) is the main airport for Devon and the south-west peninsula, handling around 1 million passengers per year. Situated in Clyst Honiton, 5 miles east of Exeter city centre, it serves as the most accessible airport for residents of Devon and much of Cornwall who want to avoid the long drive to Bristol or Heathrow.
easyJet is the largest operator, flying to Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast. Loganair provides vital connectivity to Newquay and the Isles of Scilly. TUI runs seasonal charter flights to sun holiday destinations. Eastern Airways also operates selected regional routes.
Exeter is a mid-sized regional airport with a single terminal. Facilities are functional rather than lavish — no dedicated pay lounge — but the airport is well organised with reasonable shops and cafes. For Devon and east Cornwall travellers, EXT is the natural choice for domestic UK connections that save the long A303 and A30 slog.
Single terminal airport
⚠️ Some routes at EXT are seasonal — always confirm flight availability before booking.
Most popular routes
Exeter Airport Terminal
Exeter Airport operates a single terminal building. All airlines — easyJet, Loganair, TUI and Eastern Airways — use the same check-in hall, security, and departure lounge. The terminal is modern, well laid out, and navigable without stress.
| Check-in desks | Common-use desks · easyJet, TUI, Loganair, Eastern Airways |
| Security | Single lane · 15–25 min typical · longer in summer peak |
| Departure lounge | Airside cafe, bar, restaurant, retail · free Wi-Fi |
| Arrivals | Ground floor · baggage reclaim · car hire desks |
| Car hire | Hertz, Enterprise, Europcar on-site |
| Lounge | No dedicated pay lounge at EXT |
Transport to Exeter Airport
| Bus route 56 to city centre | ~30 min · approx £4.50 · Paris Street bus station |
| Taxi to Exeter city centre | ~15–20 min · approx £15–20 |
| Taxi to Taunton | ~45 min · approx £40–50 |
| Car hire | Hertz, Enterprise, Europcar on-site |
| Drive from Exeter city centre | 5 miles east · ~15 min via A30 |
| Drive from Plymouth | ~50 miles · ~55 min via A38 |
| Drive from Bristol | ~75 miles · ~1h 20m via M5 |
| Train (nearest station) | Exeter St David's — city centre — no direct airport rail link |
Compare parking options at EXT
Pre-booking online can save significantly. Summer peak season fills fast — book early.
Airlines flying from Exeter
Exeter Airport FAQs
The train wins for London. GWR from Exeter St David's to London Paddington takes around 2 hours and deposits you in central London. Flying from EXT requires check-in time, a flight to Gatwick or Heathrow, and then onward travel into London — rarely faster overall and more stressful. Fly from Exeter for Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast where the time saving over rail or road is real.
easyJet (Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast), Loganair (Newquay, Isles of Scilly), TUI (holiday charters to Mediterranean and Canary Islands), and Eastern Airways (selected routes). easyJet is the dominant carrier for domestic routes.
Bus route 56 runs from the airport to Exeter city centre (Paris Street) in around 30 minutes for approximately £4.50. A taxi takes 15–20 minutes and costs £15–20. There is no direct train connection to the airport.
Exeter wins on convenience for Devon-based travellers — no 90-minute drive to Bristol. But Bristol offers a much wider range of routes, including more European destinations. If your route is available from EXT, fly from Exeter. If you need a wider choice, Bristol is worth the drive.
No dedicated pay lounge operates at Exeter Airport. Airside facilities include a cafe, bar and restaurant, which are adequate for most travellers. For a lounge experience, you would need to use a hub airport like Bristol or Heathrow.
Exeter offers Short Stay (walkway distance), Long Stay (short transfer, best value for longer trips), and Meet & Greet parking. Pre-book online for best rates — particularly in summer when demand is high. Walk-up prices at the gate are significantly more expensive.
Yes — Bus 56 connects the airport to Exeter city centre in around 30 minutes for approximately £4.50. Services run regularly throughout the day. From the city centre you can connect to GWR trains to London, Plymouth, Bristol and beyond.
Plymouth is approximately 45 miles from EXT — around 55 minutes via the A38 Devon Expressway. For Plymouth residents, Exeter is a reasonable option for UK domestic flights. Taxis from Plymouth to the airport cost around £50–60.