Fastest way from Exeter to Edinburgh: Flight, about 1h 45min (from €186). Cheapest: Coach, from €81 (about 16h 25min). Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 5, 2026): LoganAir LM, FlixBus, Loganair; main departure point: Exeter Airport.
There are 2 ways to get from Exeter to Edinburgh
Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.
Companies selling this route on 12Go
Offers listed on 12Go on November 5, 2026 for a departure on November 26, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.
| Company | Mode | Departs from | From | Offers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | Bus | Exeter Bampfylde St | €81 | 1 |
| Loganair | Flight | Exeter Airport | €186 | 1 |
| LoganAir LM | Flight | Exeter Airport | €186 | 2 |
| British Airways | Flight | Exeter Airport | €200 | 1 |
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Practical tips
Coach and flight fares tend to climb as departure approaches and cheaper seats go first. Booking well ahead, especially for summer or holiday periods, is the simplest way to avoid paying more than you need to.
If you look at rail alternatives, remember that tickets bought on the day are usually far pricier than advance ones. Compare online ahead of time and only buy a ticket once you know the cheaper option.
The coach leaves from the city centre coach station, while flights use the airport outside town. Read your e-ticket carefully and confirm the exact location before leaving your accommodation, so you never end up at the wrong place.
A flight is quicker in the air, but airport transfers, check-in and security add real time on both ends. Count the whole journey, including getting to and from the airport, before deciding it beats the coach.
These are the busiest periods and departures sell out. If your dates are flexible, travel midweek. If not, book as soon as your plans are fixed and keep your e-ticket on your phone.
The journey experience
Exeter to Edinburgh is one of the longest hops you can make in Britain, so the real question is simple: fly or take the coach? The table on this page puts both options side by side on duration and price range, so you can decide in seconds instead of juggling a dozen tabs.
Flying is clearly the fast option. You skip a very long day on the road and arrive in the Scottish capital with the rest of the day still ahead of you. The coach is the budget route. It crosses the length of England, you get a reclining seat and a luggage hold, and you can sleep or catch up on your plans on board. If an overnight departure is offered on your date, it can also save you a night of accommodation.
British fares move with the day, the hour and how early you book, so the same seat can cost very different amounts a week apart. Book as early as you can, favour midweek travel, and be careful around bank holidays and summer weekends, when departures sell out. Check the exact departure point before you leave: the coach station and the airport are in different parts of Exeter. Book online and your e-ticket arrives instantly.
Frequently asked questions — Exeter → Edinburgh
It depends on your priority. Flying is the fastest choice and suits you if time matters more than budget. The coach is the cheaper option and works well if you are travelling on a tight budget and don't mind a long journey. Compare both in the table above before booking.
The coach starts from around €81, with typical fares up to about €82. Flights start from around €186, with typical fares up to about €187. Prices vary with the date, the time of day and how early you book, so booking ahead usually gives you the better fare.
The flight takes about 1 h 45 to 2 h 05. The coach takes much longer, between 16 h and 20 h depending on the departure and the traffic. If you take the flight, remember to add time for getting to the airport, check-in and security.
Coaches leave from Exeter Bus and Coach Station in the city centre. Flights leave from Exeter Airport, east of the city. Your e-ticket shows the exact departure point, so check it before you set off, as the two places are not close to each other.
As early as you can. Cheaper seats go first and fares rise as the date nears, especially around bank holidays and summer weekends when departures often sell out. Booking online gives you an instant e-ticket, so there is no need to wait or queue at the station.
Why visit Edinburgh?
- ✓ Climb the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse Palace, passing historic closes and whisky shops
- ✓ Hike up Arthur's Seat at sunrise for panoramic views over the Old Town and the Firth of Forth
- ✓ Explore the National Museum of Scotland, free to enter, from Dolly the Sheep to the rooftop terrace
- ✓ Wander the cobbled Victoria Street and Grassmarket, then descend into the haunted vaults beneath the Old Town
- ✓ Taste single malts at the Scotch Whisky Experience, then catch a show at the Fringe in August
When to visit Edinburgh?
TEMPERATE OCEANIC CLIMATE
May to September — longest days, mildest temperatures and the festival season, though rain is possible year-round
What to do in Edinburgh?
Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you
How long to visit Edinburgh?
Allow 3 days to cover the essentials: Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace and a hike up Arthur's Seat. With 2 days you can see the Old Town and one major sight; with 4 or 5 days add a day trip to the Highlands, St Andrews or the Borders. Book Castle tickets in advance and pack waterproof layers, whatever the season.
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