Trains to Cornwall
| Main train stations | Newquay, St Austell, St Ives, Penzance |
| Train companies | Great Western Railway, Night Riviera |
| Main attractions | The Eden Project, Fistral beach |
Dreaming a sunny staycation this summer? Trains to Cornwall can transport you to miles of sandy dunes, weathered cliffs, and historical harbours overlooking picturesque blue seas, all without leaving the country.
We’re here to be your one-stop-shop for cheap train tickets, times and info about how to get to Cornwall by train. Did you know, there are four scenic railway lines connect the county from north to south: The St Ives Bay Line, The Looe Valley Line, The Maritime Line and The Atlantic Coast Line and you can book tickets for all of them right here.
Considering a trip to Cornwall but not sure which mode of transport to take? Head over to our guide on the best way to travel from London to Cornwall.
If you’re ready to book, start a search for times and tickets above, or keep reading to find out more about taking the train to Cornwall.
How to buy cheap train tickets to Cornwall
There are a few ways you can save money on train travel this summer. Some of our top tips for booking cheap train tickets to Cornwall include:
Travel Off-Peak
Tickets are usually cheaper to Cornwall if you travel during Off-Peak hours. This is normally outside of rush hours during Monday to Friday, and anytime during the weekend. We’ll highlight whether a journey is during Off-Peak train times as your search for tickets.
Book in advance
Train tickets to Cornwall normally go on sale around 12 weeks in advance, usually at their cheapest price. If Advance train tickets aren’t on sale yet, why not sign up to our Ticket Alert tool, and we’ll email you as soon as you can buy tickets for your chosen date.
Save up to 1/3 with a Railcard
Railcards can save you to 1/3 on the price of eligible train tickets to Cornwall. Costing just £30 for one year, it doesn’t take long to make your money back either. Find out if you qualify for one and buy a Railcard online with us today.
Save up to 34% with GroupSave
If you’re heading to Cornwall with three to nine of your favourite pals, we’ll let you know if you qualify for GroupSave when you search. This discount allows groups that are travelling together to save up to 34% on rail fares.
Split your train tickets
Splitting your journey into several sections and buying tickets for each part can sometimes be cheaper than buying a single ticket on longer journeys. Our ticket-splitting app feature, SplitSave, does the hard part for you.
Why not check out our train deals and discounts guide to discover the latest offers from train companies you can book with us.
London to Cornwall by train
The most popular route for trains to Cornwall from London is London Paddington to Newquay, which is served by Great Western Railway (GWR). The route takes just over five hours on average, so you’ll have lots of time to kick back and travel in comfort while enjoying the views. GWR trains leave London every two hours and provide plenty of onboard facilities for a pleasant journey. Power sockets and free WiFi are provided on most trains, giving you the chance to continue working or watch shows and movies while en route to your destination.
If you’re jumping on a train to Penzance to live it up on the beach, why not Hop off at St. Austell train station and enjoy discount entry to The Eden Project as a thank you for using public transport. These spectacular ‘biomes’ are home to the largest indoor rainforest in the world. Alternatively, you can visit Cape Cornwall (close to both Penzance and St. Ives train station) for a chance at spotting dolphins, seals and maybe even sharks! Don’t forget – there’s also GWR’s Night Riviera service, for sleeper trips to Cornwall. You can buy overnight train tickets on our Advanced Search page – simply search for a train from London to Cornwall departing from 23:00 onwards.
There are several train stations in the county of Cornwall, though, so there are a variety of routes you can take to reach this fabulous area. Some require a change along the way, but all trains to stations in Cornwall are run by GWR. Routes from London to Cornwall include:
| Route | Journey time | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| London to Truro | 4h 44m | Direct |
| London to Penzance | 5h 25m | Direct |
| London to Falmouth | 5h 10m | 1 |
| London to St Ives | 5h 25m | 1 |
| London to St Erth | 5h 15m | Direct |
You can also travel by train to Cornwall from the north of England, with only one change normally needed at St. Erth (if travelling from Leeds, Birmingham and Sheffield to St. Ives).
Cornwall train times, journey information and train ticket prices can be found here using our Journey Planner. Read on for our top tips on getting cheap train tickets to Cornwall!
Planning your next family holiday in the UK and not sure where to go? Check out our guide to the best family staycations in the UK, Cornwall is one of them!
Frequently asked questions
Where do trains to Cornwall arrive and depart?
There are a few main stations that trains to Cornwall arrive into and depart from. Newquay, Penzance, Truro, Falmouth and St Ives are some of the biggest stations in Cornwall, so depending on where you’re travelling from you’re likely to arrive into one of these stations.
Which train companies run trains to Cornwall?
There are a number of trains companies in the UK that operate trains to Cornwall, including Great Western Railway and the Night Riveria (sleeper train).
How can I get cheap train tickets to Cornwall?
It’s easy to grab yourself cheap train tickets to Cornwall. We’d recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can. Read our cheap train tickets guide to find out more.
Are trains running to Cornwall?
Trains run frequently almost every day to Cornwall, although there may be fewer services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Cornwall.
Can I use my Railcard to save up to 1/3 on my trip to Cornwall?
Yes, there are several types of Railcards you can use to save up to 1/3 on your trip to Cornwall, these include:
- Two-Together Railcard (Great for couples and friends who always travel together)
- 16-17 Saver (You can save up to 50% with this one)
- 16-25 Railcard (Ideal for students)
- 26-30 Railcard (Also known as the Millennial Railcard)
- Senior Railcard (For those aged 60 and over)
- Friends & Family Railcard (Great for families of up to 4 adults with up to 4 kids)
- Disabled Railcard (If travelling with another adult they can save too)
Having a Railcard means you can use it whenever you want outside of Peak times for a whole year too.