Holidays from Exeter Airport

Holidays from Exeter

Your South West launchpad to the sun. Exeter Airport offers direct flights to more beach holiday destinations than you might expect: the Algarve and mainland Spain with Ryanair year-round, Tenerife and Lanzarote with TUI across most of the year, plus summer routes to Turkey, the Greek Islands, Majorca, Cyprus, and Ibiza. If you're in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, or Dorset, holidays from Exeter Airport mean no M5 slog to Bristol, no M4 crawl to Heathrow, and a compact terminal where you're through security in minutes.

Getting to Exeter Airport

Exeter Airport is about 5 miles east of the city centre in Clyst Honiton, just off the A30. If you're coming from further afield, Junction 29 of the M5 is well signposted to the airport and you'll be there in about 10 minutes. Driving yourself? Don't forget to take advantage of our pre-bookable airport car parking and bag yourself a cracking price before you go. Cranbrook station is the nearest railway station, about a mile from the terminal, with regular services on the Waterloo line. From Exeter St Davids or Exeter Central, a taxi to the airport takes around 15 minutes. The airport's compact, so once you arrive, you're inside and sorted in no time.

Airport facilities

When it comes to kicking off your jollies in style, Exeter Airport keeps things simple and stress-free...

Food and drink – Moorland Kitchen is the main airside spot, serving Devon breakfasts (the full works with local ingredients), baguettes, and a proper lunch menu from mid-morning. There are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options too. Grab a coffee and a pastry if you're on an early flight, or settle in for something more substantial if you've got time to kill.
Shopping – WHSmith has your back for last-minute holiday reads, travel pillows, snacks, and meal deals. It's small but packed with everything you'll actually need.
Executive Lounge – the lounge has runway views, unlimited tea, locally produced Green Farm Coffee, and soft drinks, plus up to two alcoholic drinks per guest. Breakfast pastries and cereals in the morning, cheese and cake platters later in the day. Keep your eyes peeled, too, because we've been known to offer lounge access for free from time to time.
Currency exchange – the bureau de change in the main check-in hall covers most currencies for your destination. Sort your euros, lira, or dirhams before you fly.
Cash machines – ATMs dotted around the terminal accept most major cards. Handy for topping up your spending money before you board.

Why fly from Exeter?

If you're anywhere in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, or Dorset, Exeter Airport saves you a serious chunk of driving before you've even left the country. Bristol's the nearest alternative and that's still an hour-plus up the M5 on a good day (and we all know the M5 doesn't do good days in summer). Exeter's terminal is compact and friendly: no mile-long walks to the gate, no three-hour security queues, and parking is right next to the building. Ryanair runs year-round routes to the Algarve, Alicante, Malaga, and Majorca, while TUI covers the Canaries, Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus through the summer months. KLM's daily Amsterdam service also opens up connections to hundreds of onward destinations worldwide if you want to go further afield.

Direct flights from Exeter Airport

Algarve, Portugal – Ryanair flies direct to Faro from Exeter, with services running from spring through to autumn. The Algarve's golden beaches, seafood restaurants, and family-friendly resorts are under three hours away. One of Exeter's strongest routes for package holidays.

Tenerife – TUI operates direct flights across most of the year, making this the go-to Canaries pick from Exeter. Year-round sunshine, Siam Park, Mount Teide, and a huge range of all-inclusive family resorts. Around four and a half hours from Exeter.

Dalaman, Turkey – TUI's summer route opens up the Turquoise Coast: Olu Deniz, Fethiye, and the Blue Lagoon. Turkey's all-inclusive resorts are some of the best value in the Mediterranean, and Dalaman gives you access to the most scenic stretch of coastline.

Corfu – one of the greenest Greek islands, with sheltered bays, olive groves, and a gorgeous old town. TUI's summer route from Exeter puts you there in around three and a half hours. Brilliant for couples and families who want laid-back Greek island vibes.

Majorca – Ryanair runs seasonal flights to Palma. The island has everything: family resorts in Alcudia, nightlife in Magaluf, and quiet coves in the east. Under three hours from Exeter.

Malaga, Costa del Sol – another year-round Ryanair route. Torremolinos and Fuengirola are right on the airport's doorstep, and Marbella is a short transfer away. Great for a cheap beach break in the Spanish sun.

Popular getaways flying from Exeter

Find a great deal on a vacay departing from Exeter Airport to some of the world's best beach holiday destinations. Whatever you are looking for from your holiday, we have something perfect for you. From budget-friendly self-catering breaks to luxury all-inclusive resorts and everything in between.

What to see and do in Exeter before you fly

Got a few hours to spare before your flight? Exeter is a proper gem of a city and well worth exploring before you jet off.

Exeter Cathedral – this place is genuinely stunning: it has the longest uninterrupted medieval vaulted ceiling in England at 96 metres. Even if cathedrals aren't normally your thing, this one's worth a wander. The grounds are gorgeous too, especially on a sunny day.

Gandy Street – nicknamed Exeter's "Diagon Alley" (and yes, it does look the part), this narrow lane is packed with independent shops, vintage boutiques, and quirky cafes. Perfect for a pre-flight mooch and a flat white.

The Quayside – down by the River Exe, the Quayside has a great antiques centre, waterside cafes, and kayak hire if you're feeling adventurous. It's a 15-minute walk from the city centre and a lovely way to kill time.

Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) – free entry, award-winning, and genuinely interesting. The world cultures gallery and natural history collections are great for families, and it's right in the city centre.

Underground Passages – medieval aqueduct tunnels running underneath the high street, and the only publicly accessible ones in Britain. Guided tours take about 25 minutes and the kids will love them (claustrophobic adults, maybe less so).

Holidays from other popular airports and UK cities

We are able to offer flights from all the major airports throughout the UK using all your favourite budget and charter airlines including Easyjet, TUI, Ryanair, Jet2 and many more. We've selected some of the most popular departure airports to help you browse for your next beach holiday in the sun, including Manchester airport, London Gatwick airport, Birmingham airport, London Stansted and Glasgow airport.