Planning a trip to South Devon? Exeter Airport just made it easier

South Devon rewards the traveller who slows down. From the sweep of the South West Coast Path to the coves and fishing villages of the English Riviera, the region invites you to take your time and soak it all in. With Exeter Airport now offering a fully interactive virtual tour, that sense of ease starts before you set foot on the plane.

The online walkthrough lets you move through the terminal, from car parks to check-in desks and departure gates. It even includes British Sign Language, calming soundscapes and day-or-night modes designed for neurodiverse passengers. You can also check where facilities are, see what to expect at security and open links for parking, duty-free offers and lounges. 

So, what does this mean for your next trip to South Devon? 

The short answer is less uncertainty and more confidence, whether you are heading here for a quiet coastal escape or a week of exploring Dartmoor’s wild uplands.

Travel is getting easier everywhere

This focus on smoother, more accessible travel is not unique to Devon. Around the world, airports are investing in ways to make your journey simpler and less stressful. 

At Singapore Changi, self-service FAST kiosks and automated bag drop streamline check-in, while the iChangi app and interactive terminal maps make wayfinding easier. In Johannesburg, the Gautrain link takes you from the airport station into the city with ease. For travellers heading to the Alps, arranging transfers from Geneva to Morzine through a specialist provider ensures you can move from baggage claim to mountain base without the usual stress of sorting transport on arrival.

While these examples highlight how airports and travel services worldwide are embracing innovation, the real takeaway is that Exeter Airport — though smaller and regional — is keeping pace with these changes. Its commitment to accessibility and passenger confidence shows that you don’t need to be a major international hub to offer a modern, stress-free start to your holiday.

Start your South Devon break with less stress

Using the virtual tour, you can plan the details that make a journey feel calmer. Families can check where baby-changing areas are, solo travellers can map out their route to the gate and those who prefer to minimise queues can find quieter spaces before they even set off. The autopilot function, which guides you step by step from the entrance through to boarding, is especially helpful for first-time flyers or anyone who finds airports overwhelming.

The reality is that many travellers still see airports as the final hurdle before their holiday can truly begin. In those busy spaces, people are often in a rush and, without meaning to, can seem brusque as they push through security or dash to their gates. That hurried environment can easily heighten your stress levels long before the captain announces it is time to prepare for take-off.

By taking away that tension, Exeter Airport’s virtual tour sets the tone for the rest of your journey. Instead of arriving flustered, you step into South Devon relaxed and ready to make the most of your time away.

Once you arrive, that sense of simplicity carries through to your time on the ground. Within an hour, you could be checking into a guesthouse in Dawlish, booking a table at a harbourside restaurant in Dartmouth or strolling along the banks of the River Dart in Totnes. Being able to travel with confidence means you start your trip refreshed and ready to explore.

Why smoother travel matters

For many visitors, a holiday begins the moment they set their bags down, not when the plane lands. Exeter Airport’s changes make that possible. Couples arriving for a weekend in Salcombe can step off the plane without the stress of navigating an unfamiliar terminal, while groups heading to coastal cottages or rural retreats can spend less time figuring out logistics and more time enjoying their surroundings.

As touched on, South Devon rewards that freedom. You could spend a morning wandering the sands of Bantham Beach, pick up picnic supplies from the markets in Kingsbridge or set out along the South West Coast Path for cliff-top views that stretch for miles. To that end, Dartmoor National Park offers trails for every level, while towns like Brixham and Paignton are perfect for seafood lunches and leisurely afternoons by the water.

A smoother start to your South Devon adventure

Exeter Airport’s virtual tour is more than a clever digital feature. It is part of a wider movement towards travel that feels inclusive and uncomplicated, where every detail is designed to make your journey easier. By removing some of the anxiety of flying, it gives you the freedom to focus on what really matters: exploring, relaxing and making memories in one of the UK’s most beautiful regions.

When your trip begins this smoothly, the rest of your South Devon adventure feels that much richer. From wild moorland walks to evenings by the sea, you have the space and energy to enjoy every moment, and that is exactly how a holiday should begin.

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