If you are searching for a cheap hotel in Exeter, the data from major travel aggregators shows that budget rooms start from as little as £20 per night for a guesthouse or campsite, while the average nightly rate across the city hovers around £101 (Momondo). This guide compares the best budget options in Exeter city centre, near St Davids station, and the most popular chain hotels, using pricing data from six major booking platforms to help you decide where to book.

Last checked: 2026-07-06

Lowest nightly rate: £20 · Average price (Booking.com):

If you are searching for a cheap hotel in Exeter, the data from major travel aggregators shows that budget rooms start from as little as £20 per night for a guesthouse or campsite, while the average nightly rate across the city hovers around £101 (Momondo). This guide compares the best budget options in Exeter city centre, near St Davids station, and the most popular chain hotels, using pricing data from six major booking platforms to help you decide where to book.

52 · Top budget chain: Premier Inn Exeter · Nearest station: Exeter St Davids

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-07-06.

Sources reviewed: travel aggregator websites (Kayak, Momondo, Skyscanner, Trivago), hotel booking platforms (Booking.com, Expedia, Trip.com, LateRooms), and review platforms (Tripadvisor).

No on-site visits or staff interviews were conducted; all prices and availability are based on listed rates and may vary at the time of booking.

Snapshot: Cheap Hotels in Exeter

1 Lowest nightly rate
2 Average price (Booking.com)
3 Top budget chain
  • Premier Inn Exeter appears on most budget lists (Tripadvisor)
4 Nearest station
  • Exeter St Davids – cheap hotels cluster near the station (Kayak)
Key factValue
Lowest nightly rate£20 (hotels.uk.com)
Average price (all categories, Momondo)£101 per night
Cheapest recent room (7-day window)£41 (Momondo)
Average 2‑star hotel price£75 (Momondo)
Average 3‑star hotel price£88 (Momondo)
Cheapest month (Trivago)January – ~£69/night
Most expensive month (Trivago)July – ~£118/night
Cheapest day (Skyscanner)Sunday
Most expensive day (Skyscanner)Friday
Typical stay length2 nights (Kayak)
Top budget area clustersSt David’s, St Loyes, Silverton (Agoda)

Cheap Hotel in Exeter City Centre

Exeter’s historic core offers a handful of budget-friendly B&Bs and small hotels. According to Booking.com’s cheap hotels page, properties like The Telstar and White Hart are frequently listed with rates starting around £40–£60 per night. The Telstar in particular earns consistently high guest reviews – Expedia gives it a score of roughly 9.0 out of 10 for value. Another option is Jack’s Nest, a budget B&B with prices from £43.43 per night, according to the same platform.

Cheap B&B Exeter city centre

For travellers seeking a quieter, more personal experience, Jack’s Nest and The Telstar are the two most recommended city-centre B&Bs. Both include breakfast in the rate and lie within a 15-minute walk of the cathedral and shopping streets. The average price for a city-centre B&B hovers around £45–£55, based on aggregator data from Momondo.

Hotels in Exeter city centre

Chain hotels in the centre include Premier Inn Exeter City Centre and Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel. While Premier Inn sits firmly in the budget bracket, Mercure is mid-range. The Tripadvisor cheap-hotels list also highlights Holiday Inn Express Exeter – City Centre as a popular budget option. The pattern: city-centre budget accommodation is limited, but the B&Bs offer the best price-to-quality ratio, especially for solo travellers and couples.

Editor’s tip: Book a B&B like Jack’s Nest if you want breakfast included and a location within walking distance of Exeter’s main sights. Rates start around £43.43 (Booking.com).

Cheap Hotels Exeter St Davids

The area around Exeter St Davids Railway Station is a recognised budget hotel zone. Kayak flags that many of the city’s cheapest guesthouses are north of the centre, clustering near the station and the University of Exeter. Among them, The Telstar (also listed for the city centre) sits close to St Davids, with rates from £40 per night. Another option is the Red Lion, a traditional guesthouse with nightly prices in the £50–£60 range. Agoda names St Loyes and St David’s itself as top areas for cheap accommodation. The trade-off: station-area hotels save you taxi costs if arriving by train, but you may need to walk or bus 20 minutes into the centre.

Note: The Telstar appears on both city-centre and St Davids budget lists because it is located just north of the city boundaries, within easy reach of both the station and the historic core.

Premier Inn Exeter

Premier Inn Exeter is the most frequently recommended budget chain in the city. It has two main locations: one in the city centre (close to the cathedral and shopping area) and one near the M5 motorway. The city-centre Premier Inn is particularly popular because of its central location. Tripadvisor includes it in its “Cheap Hotels in Exeter 2026” list, alongside Travelodge and Holiday Inn Express. Prices fluctuate by season: Skyscanner notes that 3‑star hotels (a category that includes Premier Inn) average around £101 per night citywide, but weekend deals can drop to $79 (Kayak) depending on booking window. Why this matters: Premier Inn offers reliable, clean rooms with free Wi‑Fi and parking at the M5 site – ideal for budget travellers who prioritise consistency over charm.

Travelodge Exeter

Travelodge Exeter operates a hotel near the M5 junction (Exeter M5) and another at the city centre (Exeter Central). Travelodge is often the cheaper of the two chains, with prices that can dip below £50 during off-peak nights. LateRooms frequently features Travelodge Exeter M5 with last-minute discounts. The M5 location is convenient for drivers but less practical for exploring the city on foot. Tripadvisor reviewers note that the central Travelodge is more popular for short stays. The catch: Travelodge rooms are basic, and some guests report noise from the motorway at the M5 site. For train travellers, the city-centre Travelodge is a short walk from Exeter St Davids station.

Comparison of Budget Hotel Options in Exeter

Hotel NamePrice RangeLocationType
Premier Inn Exeter£50–£80City centre / M5Budget chain
Travelodge Exeter£45–£70City centre / M5Budget chain
Holiday Inn Express Exeter EastFrom $56–$67 (Trip.com)East of cityBudget chain
White Hart Exeter£50–£70City centreGuesthouse / inn
The Telstar£40–£60Near St DavidsGuesthouse / B&B
Jack’s Nest£43–£55City centreB&B

Pros and Cons of Budget Hotel Options

City Centre B&Bs (Telstar, Jack’s Nest, White Hart)

Pros: Central location, often include breakfast, higher review scores (Telstar 9.0/10). Cons: Limited availability, parking can be difficult, no loyalty programme.

Budget chains (Premier Inn, Travelodge)

Pros: Consistent standards, free Wi‑Fi, parking at some sites, loyalty discounts. Cons: Basic rooms, less character, M5 locations require transport to centre.

Station area guesthouses (Red Lion, Telstar again)

Pros: Ideal for train travellers, cheaper than city centre, often quieter. Cons: Fewer dining options nearby, need to walk or bus into the old town.

Best for Different Traveller Segments

  • Budget backpackers: The Telstar or Jack’s Nest – lowest starting prices and highest value ratings.
  • City centre explorers: Premier Inn Exeter City Centre or White Hart – within walking distance of all main attractions.
  • Train travellers: The Telstar (close to St Davids) or Travelodge Exeter Central – under 10 minutes from the station.
  • Business travellers: Holiday Inn Express Exeter East – free breakfast and parking, reliable room quality.

Pricing Bands: What to Expect

Based on data from Trivago and Skyscanner:

  • Under £50: B&Bs, guesthouses, and occasional last-minute chain deals. Best for solo travellers and students.
  • £50–£80: Chain hotels (Premier Inn, Travelodge) and mid-range guesthouses. Most common budget bracket.
  • £80–£120: 3‑star hotels (Holiday Inn Express, Mercure) and some boutique properties. Good value for families.
  • Above £120: 4‑star options (Leonardo Hotel Exeter) – still considered budget-friendly when booked in low season.

Location and Getting There

Exeter is well served by rail (Exeter St Davids is the main station) and road (M5 junction 30). The city centre is compact; most budget hotels in the St Davids area are within a 20‑minute walk of the cathedral. Agoda notes that St Loyes and Silverton offer additional cheap accommodation for visitors with a car. [Map placeholder – Exeter city centre and St Davids station area]

Alternatives to Consider

Beyond the main options, Holiday Inn Express Exeter East (frequently under $70 on Trip.com) and University of Exeter – Holland Hall (available during vacation periods) are worth checking for short-notice stays. Expedia also highlights The Telstar as a “highly rated cheap hotel”.

Our Pick for Budget Travellers

After comparing prices, review scores, and location data, we recommend The Telstar for budget travellers, first-time visitors, solo travellers, and those arriving by train. It combines the lowest starting price (£40–£60), a 9.0/10 guest rating (Expedia), and proximity to both St Davids station and the city centre. If you prefer a chain, Premier Inn Exeter City Centre is the most reliable alternative for walkability and consistency.

“Organise your trip ahead of time to save on your Exeter hotel. Prices are typically cheaper midweek and outside peak seasons.”

– Skyscanner editorial team, Travel metasearch publisher advice

“If you’re looking for a cheap hotel in Exeter, you should consider visiting during the low season.”

– Kayak travel guide for Exeter hotels, Metasearch travel guide
Additional sources

youtube.com, momondo.com, kayak.sg

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest accommodation in Exeter?

The cheapest option is a guest house or campsite from £20 per night, according to hotels.uk.com. For a private room, budget B&Bs start around £40–£45.

What is the average nightly rate for a cheap hotel in Exeter?

Booking.com lists the average cheap hotel price at $152 per night, while Momondo reports an all-category average of £101.

Which guest house near Exeter St Davids is budget-friendly?

The Telstar Guest House offers rates from £40 per night and is located within a short walk of the station. It also earns high guest scores (Expedia).

What cheap B&B options are in Exeter city centre?

Jack’s Nest (from £43.43) and White Hart Exeter (from £50) are both central B&Bs with breakfast included, listed on Booking.com and Tripadvisor.

What are the best budget chain hotels in Exeter?

Premier Inn Exeter City Centre and Travelodge Exeter (M5 and Central) are the most frequently recommended chains. Prices vary by season, with weekend deals from £50–£70.

When is the cheapest month to stay in Exeter?

Trivago data shows January is typically the cheapest month, with average rates around £69 per night. Skyscanner also lists October and April–May as low‑season periods.

Sources