The short answer
Helicopter charter Exeter uses Exeter Airport, with a 2,076 metre runway, on-site customs and published hours of 08:00 to 20:00 in summer. Exeter to Bristol takes about 25 to 30 minutes by helicopter against 1 hour 26 minutes by road, and Exeter to Cardiff about 25 to 30 minutes against 2 hours 27 minutes.
Flying from Exeter? Tell us where and when; we reply with options and a price for the whole aircraft.
Key facts
- Site
- Exeter Airport, Exeter, Devon (EGTE / EXT)
- Summer hours (as published, checked 29 Sep 2026)
- Mon to Fri 08:00 to 20:00; Sat 08:00 to 19:00; Sun 09:00 to 20:00
- Winter hours
- Mon to Fri 08:00 to 18:00; Sat and Sun 09:00 to 17:00
- Customs and immigration
- On site in airport hours via the handling agent; GAR required
- Runway
- 08/26, 2,076 m x 45 m grooved asphalt; light to large-cabin business jets
- Handling
- Mandatory in advance for non-based aircraft over 1,800 kg; out-of-hours movements by prior permission at extra charge
Where Exeter flights start and end
The map shows Exeter Airport, with range rings and the nearest cities. Pins with a page of their own are links.
The map draws a satellite picture, so it needs JavaScript and an internet connection. Exeter Airport is at Exeter Airport, Exeter, Devon. Open it in Google Maps.
Exeter Airport
Choose a place
Hover, or tap, a pin for the details
Sites that serve Exeter
Hours, permission and customs are the airport's or site's published information, checked 29 Sept 2026. We arrange permission and confirm times with your booking.
Exeter Airport EGTE / EXT
- Address
- Exeter Airport, Exeter, Devon
- Hours as published (checked 29 Sept 2026)
Summer (BST) Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00, Sat 08:00–19:00, Sun 09:00–20:00. Winter Mon–Fri 08:00–18:00, Sat–Sun 09:00–17:00.…
Summer (BST) Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00, Sat 08:00–19:00, Sun 09:00–20:00. Winter Mon–Fri 08:00–18:00, Sat–Sun 09:00–17:00. Out-of-hours movements PPR, extra charge and subject to availability.- Permission
- Prior permission required (PPR): we arrange it with your flight
- Customs
- Yes – on site (as airport hours, via the; GAR required)
- Runway
- 08/26 – 2,076 m × 45 m asphalt (grooved)
Helicopter charter Exeter: the airport
Exeter Airport is a two-kilometre-runway regional airport that takes everything from light helicopters to large-cabin business jets. Hours change with the season: in summer it is open 08:00 to 20:00 on weekdays, 08:00 to 19:00 on Saturdays and 09:00 to 20:00 on Sundays, and in winter 08:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and 09:00 to 17:00 at weekends. Out-of-hours movements are possible by prior permission, at extra cost and subject to availability.
Customs and immigration are on site during airport hours via the handling agent, and a General Aviation Report is needed. Non-based aircraft over 1,800 kg must book handling in advance; we arrange it.
Journey times from Exeter Airport
The nearest places first, with the helicopter time against the car, taken from our route data.
| To | Distance | Helicopter | By road | Typical saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiff | 40 nm (46 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 2 h 27 min (123 mi) | 1 h 59 min |
| Bristol | 47 nm (54 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 26 min (68 mi) | 58 min |
| Southampton | 79 nm (91 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 21 min (107 mi) | 1 h 36 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse | 87 nm (100 mi) | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 11 min (114 mi) | 1 h 26 min |
| Goodwood | 101 nm (117 mi) | 50 to 60 min | 2 h 56 min (140 mi) | 2 h 01 min |
| Oxford | 103 nm (118 mi) | 50 to 60 min | 3 h 02 min (155 mi) | 2 h 07 min |
| Ascot Racecourse | 111 nm (128 mi) | 50 to 65 min | 2 h 51 min (144 mi) | 1 h 53 min |
| London Heathrow | 120 nm (138 mi) | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 05 min (157 mi) | 2 h 02 min |
| Birmingham | 121 nm (139 mi) | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 08 min (166 mi) | 2 h 05 min |
| Silverstone | 121 nm (139 mi) | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 29 min (178 mi) | 2 h 26 min |
| Epsom Downs | 124 nm (143 mi) | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 15 min (164 mi) | 2 h 12 min |
| London Gatwick | 125 nm (143 mi) | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 31 min (181 mi) | 2 h 28 min |
| London | 130 nm (149 mi) | 60 to 75 min | 3 h 28 min (172 mi) | 2 h 20 min |
| Liverpool | 157 nm (181 mi) | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 38 min (246 mi) | 3 h 20 min |
| Cambridge | 161 nm (185 mi) | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 24 min (221 mi) | 3 h 04 min |
| Manchester | 163 nm (187 mi) | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 32 min (228 mi) | 3 h 12 min |
| Aintree Racecourse | 166 nm (191 mi) | 75 to 90 min | 4 h 40 min (254 mi) | 3 h 17 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse | 169 nm (194 mi) | 75 to 95 min | 4 h 26 min (230 mi) | 3 h 01 min |
| Leeds | 199 nm (229 mi) | 85 to 110 min | 5 h 27 min (289 mi) | 3 h 49 min |
| Norwich | 210 nm (242 mi) | 90 to 115 min | 5 h 35 min (284 mi) | 3 h 52 min |
| York Racecourse | 211 nm (243 mi) | 90 to 115 min | 5 h 20 min (291 mi) | 3 h 37 min |
Helicopter figures are typical block times: distance at 135 knots plus 8 minutes, shown as a range. Road figures are free-flowing road times, a floor that real journeys rarely beat. Distances are in a straight line. Figures from our UK route data, checked 29 Sep 2026.
Where Exeter clients go, and how long it takes
Helicopter and free-flowing road times from Exeter:
- Exeter to Bristol: about 25 to 30 minutes, against 1 hour 26 minutes by road.
- Exeter to Cardiff: about 25 to 30 minutes, against 2 hours 27 minutes.
- Exeter to Southampton: about 40 to 50 minutes, against 2 hours 21 minutes.
- Exeter to Cheltenham: about 40 to 50 minutes, against 2 hours 11 minutes.
- Exeter to Heathrow: about 55 to 70 minutes, against 3 hours 5 minutes.
- Exeter to central London: about 60 to 75 minutes, against 3 hours 28 minutes.
A morning meeting in London and an evening in Devon is possible (see same-day business trips); by road it is a long day. Our page on Bristol and the Cardiff page describe those landing options.
Why people charter from Exeter
Exeter is home to the Met Office headquarters and the University of Exeter, and has a growing science-park and professional-services cluster. Devon and Somerset estates, farms and hotels draw senior visitors who cannot afford a day on the A303 or M5.
The corporate market also runs west: Cornwall is only a little further, as the Newquay page shows. For country estates and game shooting in Devon and Somerset, read shooting by helicopter, which covers the lawful carriage of guns and our checks.
Booking an Exeter helicopter charter
Give us the date, passengers, weights and destination. We confirm the airport hours for your date, handling and customs if relevant, then quote one aircraft for a same-day business trip. Arrive 10 minutes before departure; soft bags are best where the hold is small. Landing at a house, hotel or estate is subject to landing permission and site suitability. If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing.
Jets from Exeter are handled on the airfield; see Charter-A private jet charter. For regional context read helicopter charter in South West England, and for cost guidance the price guides.
Nearby airfields and heliports
Other sites close to Exeter Airport, with the distance in nautical miles. Chips with a link open that site's own page.
Frequently asked questions
What are Exeter Airport opening hours?
In summer, 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 19:00 Saturday and 09:00 to 20:00 Sunday. In winter, shorter at weekends. Out-of-hours is by prior permission.
Does Exeter Airport have customs?
Yes, in airport hours via the handling agent, with a General Aviation Report required.
How long does a helicopter take from Exeter to Cardiff?
About 25 to 30 minutes, against about 2 hours 27 minutes by road.
Do I need handling at Exeter?
For non-based aircraft over 1,800 kg, yes, booked in advance. We organise it.
Can I fly from Exeter to London and back in a day?
Yes. London is about 60 to 75 minutes each way by helicopter, against more than three and a half hours by road.
Is Exeter Airport suitable for a business jet?
Yes, with a 2,076 metre grooved runway it handles light to large-cabin business jets.
