How to Get to Exeter from the Airport | Isca School Travel Guide
Written by Sarah Tomlinson | Principal, Isca School of English | British Council Accredited | Family-run since 1966
One of the questions I am most frequently asked by parents – and indeed by students themselves – is how to get to Exeter. It is a completely understandable concern: you are sending your child to another country, and knowing that the journey from the airport is straightforward and well-supported makes a real difference.
Exeter, the beautiful capital of Devon in the south-west of England, is easy to reach from anywhere in the world. Whether you are travelling by plane, train or coach, we are here to support you at every step of the journey. In 60 years of welcoming students from across Europe and beyond, we have helped thousands of families plan their travel to us – and we are always happy to help you too. The good news is that getting to Exeter is simpler than you might think. Here is everything you need to know, whichever route you are taking.
Please read before booking flights: Do not book flights before confirming with us that a place is available on your chosen course dates. Once your place is confirmed, we will email you our detailed travel supplement with specific arrival times and guidance on choosing the best flights. We want to make sure we are there to greet your child and welcome them to the UK.
Step 1 – Confirm your place at Isca
The most important first step is to contact us and confirm that a place is available on your chosen course dates. Places fill up quickly, particularly for our most popular summer weeks. Once your booking is confirmed, we will email you all the information you need to plan your travel, including our travel supplement with recommended arrival times.
To enquire about availability, please contact us. We will get back to you as quickly as possible.
Step 2 – Apply for your UK ETA
Since April 2025, all eligible European visitors – including students from France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland and most other European countries – must have a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK. This applies to all travellers, including children, and must be arranged before you book your flights.
ETA details: An ETA costs £20 in 2026 and is linked to your passport, and is valid for two years and multiple trips. Apply using the UK ETA app or at gov.uk/eta. Allow up to three working days for approval. You must travel using the same passport used for the application.
For full information on who needs an ETA and how to apply, please visit the official UK government page at gov.uk/eta.
Step 3 – Search for the best flights
Once your place is confirmed and you have read our travel supplement, you can begin searching for flights. We recommend using Skyscanner (skyscanner.net) to compare flights from your nearest airport to the UK. Skyscanner allows you to compare prices across all airlines and search flexible dates to find the best value.
Exeter is well connected from across Europe. The most commonly used UK airports for students travelling to Isca are Exeter Airport (the closest), Bristol Airport, and London airports including Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
Important: Please check our travel supplement before booking your flights. It includes specific guidance on the best arrival times and airports for your course dates, so that we can ensure someone from Isca is there to meet your child when they arrive.
Getting from the airport to Exeter
Exeter is straightforward to reach from all major UK airports by train or coach. Once you have confirmed your arrival details with us, we will provide you with specific guidance on the best route from your chosen airport to Exeter.
Your host family will meet your child at the agreed arrival point in Exeter and take them home. Please make sure your child has the host family’s telephone number saved in their phone before they travel.
Our travel supplement – everything in one place
When you confirm your booking, we will email you our comprehensive travel supplement. This document contains all the specific information you need for your child’s journey to Exeter, including:
- Recommended arrival days and times for your course dates
- Guidance on which airports and routes work best
- Meeting point and collection arrangements in Exeter
- What to do and who to call if there are any delays or problems
We are here to help
Planning travel for a teenager going abroad for the first time can feel complicated, but we work hard to make it as straightforward as possible. If you have any questions at all about travel arrangements -before, during or after your booking – please do not hesitate to contact us.
We genuinely enjoy helping families plan their journey to Exeter, and we look forward to welcoming your child to Isca. -Sarah Tomlinson, Principal
Before you travel – save these numbers in your phone
Wherever you are travelling from, please save all of the numbers we will send you in your phone before you leave home. Write them on paper as well, in case your battery runs out.
Travelling via London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow is the most common arrival point for our international students. We have a dedicated Isca contact number for Heathrow – please call this us or whatsapp us as soon as you have collected your luggage if you have any difficulty. Depending on when you arrive you will be met by our social staff member or a dedicated agency before travelling to Exeter with other students. We will tell you before you arrive how you will be met.
Travelling via Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport is a popular choice for students travelling from many European cities. We have a dedicated Isca contact number for Bristol airport. Depending on when you arrive you will be met by our social staff member or a dedicated agency before travelling to Exeter with other students. We will tell you before you arrive how you will be met.
Travelling via Exeter Airport
Exeter Airport is a smaller regional airport with direct flights from a number of European destinations. You will be met either by your host family or Sarah/Javi
Arriving independently at Exeter St Davids train station or Exeter Bus Station
Once you arrive at Exeter St Davids railway station or Exeter Bus Station, your host family will be waiting to collect you and take you to your home for the duration of your stay. Please make sure you have their telephone number saved before you travel.
If for any reason you cannot find your host family, please call the Isca 24-hour emergency line immediately. We will ensure you are collected safely.
A note about your first evening
You will normally arrive in Exeter on a Sunday evening. Your host family will welcome you, show you to your room and offer you a light snack before bed. Our dinner times in the UK are typically much earlier than in many European countries, so please do not worry if the household has already eaten – they will make sure you have something. Have a good rest, because Monday is a busy and exciting first day!
If you have any concerns about your travel arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact us
We are here to help and I look forward to welcoming you when you arrive in Exeter!
Very best wishes, Sarah Tomlinson, Principal