Travel in and around Cornwall

With a network of local busses, ferries, and scenic railway lines, you don't have to rely on a car to explore Cornwall. Travel from end to end, coast to coast, and experience stunning landscapes and coastal treasures without resorting to sat-nav!

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St Ives Bay Line

Let the train take the strain

You can travel from Plymouth to Penzance on the mainline, entering Cornwall by passing over the Royal Albert Bridge into Saltash. The line then runs down through the Duchy, crossing wooded valleys on towering viaducts until you catch that first glimpse of St Michael's Mount, just before reaching the end of the line at Penzance.

As well as the mainline, there's also four branch lines that snake their way towards the coast at St Ives, Falmouth, Newquay or Looe, whilst the fifth runs up the Tamar Valley to the riverside villages of Calstock and Gunnislake.

Park-and-ride schemes are in place at Liskeard (for Looe) and St Erth (for St. Ives).

Find out more and plan your next trip today.

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Bus in Truro

Let someone else do the driving

Cornwall is covered by a huge network on bus routes, meaning you can park the car and enjoy the roads without worrying about getting lost! What's more, there's usually a special offer out there to encourage you onto the bus!

For example, In 2023 you can travel as far as you like on a single journey ticket for £2. This will continue until the end of October half-term.

You can head to the beach or an attraction for a big day out, or jump on one of the Adventures by Bus scenic routes and take in the sights. Whatever you fancy doing you’ll be saving money, helping to reduce congestion, and supporting Cornwall to stay greener and cleaner.

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Falmouth

On the water

Sometimes in Cornwall you will come across a large river (usually on the south coast). If driving these will mean a long diversion up river to a bridge, adding many miles to your route.

To get around this there are a number of ferries that can be used. There's the King Harry, linking Truro and Falmouth with the Roseland Peninsular, The Bodinnick Ferry, linking Fowey with south east Cornwall and the historic villages of Polperro and Looe, and at Torpoint three ferries cross 24 hours a day linking Cornwall with Plymouth.

There are also passenger ferries (many of which take bikes) in and around the Fal estuary, going to places like St Mawes, Place, Trelissick, Flushing and Malpas from Falmouth.

On the Fowey there's also a ferry that goes back and forth to the village of Polruan on the opposite bank. At Looe, when the tide permits, small boats criss-cross the river, and at Newquay a ferry crosses the Gannel Estuary, again, when the tide is in.

A longer trip can be taken from Penzance where the Scillonian sails to the Isles of Scilly once a day.

  • Avoid the traffic jams, the arguments when the GPS sends you the wrong way and the general hassle of having to drive great distances...

    GWR operate high speed train services frequently from London Paddington station including the Night Riviera Sleeper Service to Penzance. There are also direct trains daily from Bristol and beyond. More info from: nationalrail.co.uk

    Once in Cornwall, there's a great rail network for getting around the county, ideal for when the roads are busy in the summer. Give the driver a rest and grab a cheap day return to St Ives or Looe. Sit back and enjoy the scenery on the Tamar Valley Line or head to the beach at Newquay or Falmouth. For more info, go to Great Scenic Railways

    For National Rail enquiries telephone 08457 484950

    The First Group co-ordinate bus services from many Cornish stations.

    Park-and-ride schemes run in season at Liskeard (for Looe) and St Erth (for St. Ives).

  • The King Harry Ferry was established in 1888, and connects St Mawes and the Roseland Peninsula with Feock, Truro and Falmouth by avoiding the alternative 27 mile route through Truro & Tresillian.

    Each year the King Harry Ferry saves 5 million car miles, 1.7 million kg of CO2 and ¾ of a million litres of fuel. It carries 300,000 cars every single year.

    Find out more
  • Yes, there is a good service with most busses passing through or starting from Helston.

  • The Tamar Valley is served by its own branch line which runs out of Plymouth. Called the Tamar Valley Line it stops at Bere Ferres and Bere Alston on the Devon side, before crossing over the river to Calstock. From here it continues to its final destination, Gunnislake.

    You can also use the main line to access the station at St Germans on the Lynher River.

    Tamar Valley Line

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