Exeter travel guide

Exeter, a city boasting over 2,000 years of history, is an enchanting fusion of ancient and modern. It was the Celts who first established a settlement here around 250 BC, calling it 'Caerwysc', meaning 'Fort on the Exe'.

The Romans took over in 50 AD, renaming it 'Isca Dumnoniorum' and constructing a mighty wall around the city, parts of which still stand today. Throughout the Middle Ages, Exeter flourished as a trading centre.

The city's rich history is palpable, from the stunning Exeter Cathedral, dating back to the 12th century, to the subterranean Passages - medieval tunnels that once transported clean drinking water into the city.

In the 20th century, Exeter played a significant role in World War II, with heavy bombing causing widespread destruction. Post-war rebuilding has shaped the city's modern landscape. Today, Exeter's unique blend of historical charm and vibrant contemporary culture make it a must-visit destination.

Here on this page, you'll find all the top travel services in Exeter, England. Check out the cheapest and most popular flights offered by 147 airlines that fly to England. Browse the 20 top-rated tours available to you in Exeter. Compare the rates and services of the 4 types of places to stay in Exeter and the 6 car rental companies offering CDW insurance coverage. We make it easy for you to find and book the top services in Exeter.

Enjoy the convenience of planning and booking every detail of your trip to Exeter, including flights, accommodations, activities, and more, in one place. Book with Guide to Europe to get an expertly-curated and fully-customizable itinerary and experience the best of Exeter on your vacation in England.

Get answers to questions about the routes and services offered in Exeter from our free 24/7 customer support. Continue reading to learn how you can enjoy a stress-free and memorable vacation in the city of Exeter!

The best time to explore Exeter, England is during the late spring and early summer months, from May to July. This period offers the most favorable weather conditions, with pleasant temperatures averaging around 15-20°C, and with less rainfall compared to the rest of the year. This time also coincides with the blooming of flowers in the city's many parks, making it a picturesque time to visit. Additionally, the summer season hosts special events, such as the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink and the Exeter Summer Festival, which enhance the overall experience for tourists. September is another good month to visit when the Exeter Craft Festival takes place. Although these months attract more visitors, the crowd levels are still manageable. For those who prefer a quieter time, the shoulder seasons of April and October can be considered, which offer relatively good weather and fewer tourists. However, keep in mind that daylight hours are shorter during these months. Whenever you decide to visit, Exeter promises a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that can be enjoyed all year round.

When visiting Exeter, the insider tip from locals is to explore the city's hidden vaults. These underground passages beneath the city centre were built in the 14th century to carry pipes that brought fresh drinking water into the city. Today, they are a unique part of Exeter's history that often get overlooked by tourists. To make the most of your visit, plan a guided tour that takes you through these medieval subterranean tunnels. You'll learn about the city's history in a fun, interactive way and see a side of Exeter that most visitors miss. Remember to book your tour ahead of your visit as the tours can fill up quickly, especially during peak tourist season. This lesser-known attraction is truly a hidden gem in Exeter's crown, offering an unforgettable experience that combines history, adventure and mystery.

There are many reasons to visit the city of Exeter, but a trip to England needs no explanation.

Exploring England, which spans 130,278 square kilometers, is an adventure of a lifetime. England offers an abundance of truly magical places to discover, including cultural, historic, and scenic sites of significant value to both locals and travelers.

As the home country of many world-famous attractions like the spectacular Exeter Cathedral, Belmont Park, and the Riverside Valley Park, you’re all set for a unique and memorable travel experience in England.

Click or tap the link below to discover more about England.

Exeter has something for everyone. Regardless of age and interest, travelers have the best time exploring every corner of the city.

Read on to discover the best places to visit and find out what to expect from the city of Exeter.

Enrich your travel experience in Exeter by joining tours and activities. Exeter offers an exciting selection of top-rated tours and it's easy for every traveler to find something to their liking. Take the opportunity to catch the top attractions on a tour, stay active with an adventurous excursion, or learn something new about the local history or culture of the city.

Discover the most popular experiences in Exeter below.

The best and easiest way to visit Exeter is by booking a vacation package. A vacation package includes everything you need for a worry-free and perfectly planned holiday in England.

Booking a vacation package to Exeter means spending less time planning and more time enjoying your vacation. A vacation package includes everything from flight tickets, accomodation, and a rental car, to 24/7 personal travel support and a carefully planned travel itinerary. You can also take your vacation in Exeter to the next level by adding tours, tickets, and activities to each day of your trip.

Apart from providing you with everything you need to travel comfortably, your vacation package to Exeter is also fully customizable. In other words, you can add or remove services at your own convenience, to create the perfect vacation for you and your travel companions.

On our website, you will find unique vacation packages to Exeter, including flight tickets, hotel reservations, and recommendations for the best sightseeing spots, restaurants, bars, and activities.

Continue to the next section to learn more about what types of vacations you can book in the city of Exeter.

To get to the city of Exeter the fastest way possible, travelers from outside England can travel by plane. International travelers can fly to Exeter by booking flights with any of the 7 airlines that offer direct flights to Exeter airport. Some airlines that operate flights to Exeter airport are United Airlines, Ryanair, Azul, JetBlue Airways, and China Eastern Airlines. Go to this page to compare all flights to Exeter.

To reach the city of Exeter, travelers can choose from various airport transfer options available at Exeter airport.

If you're looking for the best flight ticket deals to Exeter, knowing the cheapest travel time and which airlines offer the most affordable flights is helpful. Luckily, we have this information for you. Discover more about the cheapest and most popular flights to Exeter airport and Exeter below.

An essential factor to consider when traveling to a new place or country is accommodation. While visiting a city as fantastic as Exeter is always exciting, any avid traveler knows that accommodations often make or break the vacation experience.

The best place to stay in Exeter usually depends on travelers' needs and preferences. However, booking accommodation in downtown Exeter offers a ton of benefits.

Staying at the heart of the city allows you to easily walk to many of the top sights and dining areas in Exeter and cut down on your travel expenses. Centrally-located accommodations are also an excellent choice for travelers in Exeter planning to go on a quick tour or drive to the neighboring regions.

In Exeter, you'll find 4 different types of places to stay catering to every taste, budget, and reason for travel. For example, honeymooners or travelers on a romantic getaway in England can experience the ultimate relaxation at one of the 5-star or 4-star hotels in Exeter. Travelers whose purpose is sightseeing can also find plenty of mid-range hotels to budget-friendly accommodations in the city, allowing access to many of the top attractions in Exeter.

Learn more about the most popular places to stay and the top-rated hotels in Exeter in the next sections.

Experience the freedom and convenience of a self-drive vacation by renting a car for your adventures in Exeter. Exeter has 6 car rental companies ready to provide you with the perfect vehicle for your travels.

Automatic cars for rent in Exeter start from 43.63 EUR per day or 305.41 EUR per week. The cheapest automatic rental car is a Vauxhall Corsa.

If you prefer driving a manual car, you’ll find multiple options for rent in Exeter, starting from 19.93 EUR per day or 139.51 EUR per week. The cheapest manual rental car is a Toyota Aygo.

Learn more about the different types of cars you can rent in Exeter, England, below.

Exeter, a charming city in Devon, England, offers a wide range of transportation options for locals and tourists alike. The city boasts an efficient public transport system, with regular bus services operated by Stagecoach South West and Exeter City Council. These buses service the entire city and its suburbs, making it easy to get around.

For more flexibility, taxis are plentiful and can be hailed from the streets or booked in advance. Local taxi companies such as Apple Taxis Exeter and Exe Cars Taxis offer reliable service.

Rental cars are also an option for those who prefer to drive. Several car hire companies are available, including major international chains like Enterprise and Hertz, which have branches in the city. Make sure to book in advance during peak seasons to secure the best rates.

For a unique local experience, consider hopping on a riverboat. The city is intersected by the River Exe, and riverboat services offer a scenic and leisurely way to travel between Exeter Quay and Topsham or Double Locks.

The city of Exeter is just one of the many unique and scenic destinations you can visit in England. So if you're itching for another cultural adventure, a relaxing road trip, an action-filled city break, or a memorable weekend getaway, know that England has it all.

England is calling, and the country is asking you to experience its culture and diversity to the fullest! Take the opportunity to visit other captivating places in England that are as magical as the city of Exeter. The most popular travel destinations in England are listed below. Click on the name of the place you want to explore next to learn more about it.

A taste of England through a visit to Exeter can often reignite a traveler's passion for adventure. When this happens, the best way to satisfy this wanderlust is to book a domestic flight from Exeter to another remarkable destination in England.

To begin your search for the best or cheapest flights from the city of Exeter to other spectacular locations in England, jump to the last section of this travel guide.