Getting to Devon

Despite that feeling of getting away from it all, Devon is easily reached with the excellent transport links to, from and within the county.

Click here for up to date traffic and travel information.

Public transport
To plan your trip by bus, coach or train, please visit the Traveline website or call 0871 200 22 33 (calls provided by BT will be charged at 10p per minute plus 6p set up fee per call. Mobile, business and other providers' charges may vary –visit the website here for more information on charges). It is a mine of information for travelling around Devon by public transport. 
 
By train
Devon is well served by trains from all over the country. The two main lines into the county are the Paddington line and Waterloo line served by First Great Western and South West Trains respectively.
To view timetables or book tickets online, visit The Train Line or National Rail Enquiries websites.

By coach or bus
Devon is also easily reached by bus or coach, as National Express services arrive from all over the country. The Megabus service from London to Devon charges as little as £1.

By air
There are flights from many UK airports to Exeter International Airport including Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich and the Channel Islands. There are also flights from international airports - major hubs such as Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Dublin, and regional airports including Geneva, Brest, Dubrovnik, Faro and Salzburg. There are also long-haul flights from Toronto. Most flights are operated by Flybe.  Plymouth City Airport is also well served with flights from London Gatwick, London City, Manchester, Leeds/Bradford, Glasgow, Newcastle, Jersey, Guernsey, Cork, Dublin and Bristol, all operated by the south west's own regional airline, Air Southwest.

By car
Devon is easy to reach by road - the M5 runs into Exeter and has excellent links with other major motorways including the M25 which joins the M4 at Bristol. Major A roads linking the M5 include the North Devon link road (A361) serving North Devon from junction 27, the A30 serving Okehampton and West Devon from junction 31 and the A38 and A380 serving Plymouth and Torbay respectively (a continuation of the M5 at junction 31).
If you are travelling from the south and east and prefer a more scenic route, you can follow the M25/M3, then the A303/A30.

To plan your route use the AA Route Planner or the RAC Route Planner.

Plan for a smoother journey with the Highways Agency

We’ve all been there -Getting more lost with every turn as you and your front passenger play tug of war with an increasingly tattered map. Stuck in traffic for hours with the kids kicking off in the back. Then you finally reach your destination and you can’t find a parking space within walking distance, or you’ve missed your check-in.

Trying as these situations are, you’d be surprised at how often people set off on a day trip or holiday without planning their route or checking traffic conditions.

Particularly as just a few minutes on the phone or internet, or listening to the travel news on the radio, can mean the difference between a hellish journey and a smooth one.

So take control of your trip and plan before you go. Here are some tips to get you on your way.

BEFORE YOU GO:

• Check your route on www.transportdirect.info
• Check traffic conditions on the automated telephone info line 08700 660 115
• Check for roadworks by calling 08457 50 40 30 or visiting www.trafficengland.com/disruptions
• Check the weather at www.metoffice.gov.uk

ON THE MOVE:

• Look for motorway message signs
• DAB digital radio – radio scan for ‘traffic radio’ or stream from www.trafficradio.org.uk
• Call for updates on 08700 660 115
• Use your mobile; www.highways.gov.uk/mobile

But remember to use your mobile only at rest points – it’s dangerous and illegal to drive while using your phone.

Also –

Remember to get your car serviced regularly. This will reduce the chances of a breakdown, which means you’re less likely to have everyone in your car shouting at you, not to mention everyone in the tailback you’ve caused.

Finally, in case the worst does happen you should always carry an emergency kit. Ideally this should contain a map, battery jump leads, a torch, a warning triangle, a fluorescent jacket, relevant medication, food and water. This might seem over-cautious, but you only have to pack it once and then you’re ready for anything.

The Highways Agency is responsible for England's motorways and trunk roads on behalf of the Department for Transport. For more information please visit our website at www.highways.gov.uk

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