Car Hire Exeter Airport

Car Hire

Sitting four miles east of the historical city of Exeter and 11 miles from the coastal town of Exmouth, this airport offers great access to Devon’s top attractions. Buses operate between the airport and Exeter, taking around 20 minutes, as well as to Exmouth, taking 45 minutes. Still, car hire in Exeter International Airport is the quickest way to access Exeter, Exmouth and other cities and towns in Devon, with Exeter a 16-minute drive to the west.

Who to Book With
Car rental suppliers with offices at the airport include global firms Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz. All suppliers have desks in the terminal, just after exiting the Arrivals hall, though vehicles can be collected from the car rental area of Car Park 2, which is within walking distance of the terminal.

Need to Know Essentials
The following documents are needed when collecting your vehicle:

- Both parts of your UK driver’s licence
- The credit card that was used when making the reservation
- A document for proof of identity (passport or recent utility bill)
- Booking confirmation

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
On-street parking can be found all over Exeter though there are restrictions as to where motorists can park. Blue badge parking and resident parking is clearly marked, and those parking in these zones without a permit will be fined. It is commonplace to see automatic petrol pumps that accept ‘chip and pin’ credit and debit cards. It is easy to get around Exeter on foot though there are no congestion charges for driving in the city. Still, traffic congestion can occur during normal rush hours.

See our guide to the UK for more guidelines on driving here.

Transport

Self-drive offers arriving passengers quick access from the airport into the city. Buses are cheaper but take much longer and stop running at 18:30, leaving those arriving after this time the option of a costly taxi.

Trains
No trains directly serve the airport though Exeter St Davids Station is just a 30-minute bus ride away. This station is on the London Paddington to Cornwall railway line that is operated by National Rail. There are also local trains from here to Barnstaple, Plymouth and Exmouth.

Taxis
There is a taxi bay located directly outside of the Arrivals area of the passenger terminal building, with taxis provided by Exeter Airport Taxis.

Taxi prices:
Exeter International Airport to Exeter city centre is between £10 and £20.

Buses
Local Stagecoach buses connect the airport with Exeter and Exmouth. The number 56 takes passengers from the airport to Exeter bus station, Exeter St Davids Railway Station and Exmouth bus station. The bus to Exeter operates between 07:40 and 18:30, while the Exmouth route operates from 08:50 to 18:45. Timetables change on Sunday and bank holidays. The cost to travel to Exeter is about £3. In addition, buses take passengers between the terminal and long-stay car parks 3 and 4 for £0.10 per passenger.

Facilities

Terminals
The single terminal at Exeter International Airport serves over 700,000 passengers annually though it has the capacity to handle over one million passengers per year. Flights arrive from destinations throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe, as well as from the Balearic Islands. There are also seasonal flights to various European holiday destinations, as well as to Cyprus, Egypt and Tunisia.

Parking
There are four car parks on site, with two dedicated to short-term stays and two dedicated to long-term stays. The cheapest lot is P4, while P1 is the most expensive and offers the fastest access to the terminal. Prices per day run from £15 to £35, with deals available for stays of five days or more.

Wi-Fi
Wireless internet can be accessed throughout the terminal for a nominal fee.

Information Services
There is an information desk in the Departures Check-in hall for those seeking aid or advice.

Useful Numbers
Main Switchboard: +44 1392 367 433.

Accessibility
Passengers with reduced mobility can find assistance at the airport though it is best to notify your airline or the airport 48 hours in advance. Those arriving by car can call the car park customer service office from the entrance of car park P1, which has a dedicated blue badge area. Staff at this office will then make arrangements to assist you to the terminal. There are also drop-curbs directly in front of the terminal doors. The terminal is completely wheelchair friendly, as are buses into the city.

Restaurants and Bars
There is one restaurant in the terminal that serves up hot meals throughout the day and can be accessed after passing through security. There are also two cafés on site, with one in the Check-in hall and one in the Departures lounge. A bar which offers great views of the airfield and runway is located above the restaurant.

VIP Lounges
There is an executive lounge in the terminal that offers complimentary wireless internet, coffee and tea, reading material and alcohol.

Money and ATMs
ATMs are located in the Check-in hall and in the Departures lounge and dispense both pounds sterling and euro. There is a bureau de change in the Check-in hall; however, there are no bank branches on site.

Shopping
World Duty Free is located in the Departures hall and stocks tax-free alcohol, cigarettes, cosmetics, jewellery and handbags. Two WHSmith branches selling books, magazines, confectionery products and flight accessories have a presence. One branch can be found in the Check-in hall, next to the check-in desks, while the other is located in the Departures lounge.