Great Western Coffee Shop

Hi, does anyone know if I would be likely to get a seat without reserving one on the 11:40 or 13:00 from Exeter (both ex Penzance) and also if the 19:03 and 19:45 for the return journey are likely to be packed when leaving Paddington.  I won't be traveling at peak times as the Anytime return is very expensive.

What day are you doing it?

It would be a weekday and I would try to avoid a Friday as I know it's very busy out of London on Fridays.

Can't comment on the services from Exeter however in regard to leaving Paddington.

19:03 probably worth avoiding if possible as it's the last service to Penzance (excluding the sleeper)
19:45 should be able to get a seat if you are travelling solo  - if not immediately from Pad then at least after Reading you would get one.

1140 from Exeter is usually busy as first stop is Reading and is only 2h05 to London.  Have you considered the 1154 from Exeter?  It originates there so you'll be sure of a seat.  It takes longer (2h51), but depends on what your requirements are, it is only half an hour longer than the 1300 journey time.

1300 is often full and standing from Plymouth onwards, particularly in school holidays. Likewise, 1140 is very busy as its the fastest daytime service from Plymouth and Exeter to London/Reading.

As always, if you want to guarantee a seat, get a reservation.

I will be traveling from Newton Abbot but asked for times from Exeter as one train does not start at Newton Abbot and another starts from Exeter.  I don't like packed trains so maybe the 11:54 from Exeter would be the best option.  I could also get a CrossCountry train and change at Bristol but the Voyager I think would likely be packed even from Newton Abbot.

You could get the Voyager that arrives in Exeter at 1121, if it's quiet then stay on it (although I have no idea how busy the train would be from Bristol to London), if not jump off at Exeter, then wait to see what the 1140 is like load wise on platform 5 and if it is packed, jumped on the 1154 which will already be sitting on platform 6.