Find the Right Car Hire in Exeter
Exeter is the capital of Devon and a natural base for exploring the southwest of England. The city itself has a magnificent cathedral, a historic quayside and a growing food scene, but most visitors who hire a car here are heading further afield. The Jurassic Coast, Dartmoor, Cornwall and the Somerset coast are all within reach when you have your own transport.
Car hire collection in Exeter is available from the city centre, Exeter St Davids railway station and Exeter Airport to the east. The airport offers the widest choice of suppliers and is convenient if you are flying in from Scotland, the Channel Islands or European cities. St Davids station has direct trains from London Paddington, making it easy to arrive by rail and collect nearby. Your booking voucher will specify the exact address and any special collection requirements.
City centre, St Davids station & Exeter Airport
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Exeter Airport (EXT)
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M5, A30 & A38
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Cathedral, Jurassic Coast & Dartmoor
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Match collection to the actual itinerary
Include transfers, parking days, opening hours and return timing when comparing the two options.
Compact & Economy Cars
Well suited to Exeter's narrow lanes, tight cathedral quarter parking and economical for shorter trips along the coast or into the South Hams.
SUVs & Estate Cars
Comfortable for Dartmoor's rougher roads, family beach holidays with surf gear, or longer drives deep into Cornwall where extra space and ground clearance are useful.
Plan the handover, price and first drive
Exeter has been a significant city since Roman times, and its medieval cathedral still dominates the skyline. The ancient underground passages, the quayside that once handled wool exports to Europe, and the Georgian terraces around Southernhay all reward wandering. But the real reason most visitors collect a car here is what lies outside the city limits.
Devon and Cornwall between them contain some of England's most celebrated landscapes. Dartmoor's granite tors and wild ponies begin just west of Exeter. The Jurassic Coast's red cliffs and fossil beaches lie to the east. Cornwall's surfing beaches, fishing villages and subtropical gardens stretch out to the west. No public transport system can properly connect all of these, which is why a rental car transforms a Devon holiday.
The city's location at the top of the Exe estuary also makes it a gateway to the South West Coast Path, England's longest National Trail. You can walk sections near Exmouth and Sidmouth as day trips from Exeter, using your hire car to reach trailheads and return to city accommodation in the evening.
Check the conditions behind the price
The selected supplier’s terms and booking voucher control the rental. Review them before payment and again before collection.
Total payable price
Compare the full payable amount and inclusions rather than an unsupported daily-price promise.
Deposit and payment card
Confirm the deposit, accepted card type and whose name must appear on the card.
Excess and cover
Read the renter's liability, exclusions and what any optional protection actually changes.
Fuel policy
Know the collection level, return requirement and whether a refuelling charge can apply.
Mileage and territory
Check any distance limit and where the vehicle may be driven.
Extras and return
Price additional drivers, seats, after-hours service and one-way return before payment.
Choose for people, bags and roads
A category normally represents a group of similar cars, not a promise of one exact model.
- Compact: convenient for couples and tighter parking.
- Intermediate: more room for bags and longer journeys.
- Family or SUV category: useful only when the required capacity justifies it.
- Transmission: select automatic explicitly if manual is unsuitable.
Practical planning before departure
Driving in Exeter
The city centre mixes medieval street patterns with modern ring roads. The M5 ends just north of the city, connecting to Bristol and Birmingham. The A30 and A38 head west into Cornwall. Traffic builds around the motorway junctions during summer weekends when holiday traffic heads to the coast.
Parking advice
The cathedral quarter and quayside have pay-and-display and multi-storey options. Princesshay shopping centre has underground parking. For visits to the university or Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, allow extra time to find spaces.
Fuel & coastal routes
Fuel stations are available along the M5 corridors and main arterial roads. The A379 and B3192 offer scenic coastal approaches to Dawlish and Teignmouth, though narrow in places. Most rentals operate full-to-full fuel policies.
Local access, road and operating conditions can change. Check current signs, your supplier instructions and the linked source before travelling: UK official tourism information.
Build a realistic first journey
Jurassic Coast
Follow the A3052 east from Exeter to reach the UNESCO World Heritage coastline at Sidmouth, Ladram Bay and Budleigh Salterton. Further east lie Lyme Regis and the famous Cobb harbour. The coastal roads are narrow and winding, so allow extra time.
Dartmoor National Park
Head west on the A30 then turn onto moorland roads near Okehampton or Moretonhampstead. Dartmoor's tors, wild ponies and open moorland are best explored with a vehicle that can handle single-track lanes and occasional livestock.
Cornwall
The A30 continues west past Okehampton into Cornwall, reaching Bodmin, Newquay and eventually Land's End. Summer traffic can be heavy, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. Consider an early start to beat the queues.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I collect a hire car in Exeter?
City centre depots, St Davids station area and Exeter Airport all offer collection. The airport has the most supplier choice. Your voucher will confirm the exact pickup location and hours.
Is Exeter a good base for Devon and Cornwall?
Yes, Exeter sits at the junction of the M5 and A30, making it one of the best-connected cities for exploring both Devon and Cornwall by car. Dartmoor is essentially on the city's western edge.
Do I need an SUV for Dartmoor?
Not essential for the main roads, but advisable if you plan to explore remote moorland tracks or visit farms and rural properties. Most visitors manage fine with a standard car on the paved routes.
Compare Exeter car hire
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