Rail Services

Overview

The Cornish main line runs through the centre of Cornwall however some main line and branch lines stations are useful for accessing the coast path. There are branch lines to St. Ives and Newquay (both on the coast path), which connect with the main line at St. Erth and Par respectively. There are also stations at St. Erth (near the path, and for trains to St. Ives) Hayle (on the coast path), Redruth (buses to Portreath), Camborne (buses to Portreath), Truro (buses to St. Agnes and Perranporth), Par (near the coast path on the south coast and for trains to Newquay), Newquay (on the coast path), Bodmin Parkway (buses to Padstow and Constantine) and Exeter St. Davids (buses to Bude and Newquay). The main line stations of Bodmin Parkway, Truro, St Erth and Par have approximately hourly services from Plymouth and Penzance and also frequent longer distance services to London, the Midlands and Scotland. At Bodmin Parkway, there is a connection with the Bodmin and Wenford steam railway which runs two services. The first runs from Bodmin Parkway - Bodmin General (in the town centre). The other runs from Bodmin General to Boscarne Junction. Boscarne Junction is on the Camel trail, which is a footpath which runs over the old railway line to Padstow.

Coastal Routes

The following places lists the rail stations and routes that are useful for accessing the North Cornwall coast. Places on or near the coast path are listed in bold. For the rail timetables, see the links below. There are bus links from many other stations not on the coast path to points on the coast path. Consult the bus information further down for details of bus services. Principle connections are Exeter St Davids station to Bude, Bodmin Parkway station to Padstow, Truro station to Perranporth and St Agnes, Redruth Station to Portreath, Penzance station to Lands End.

From To Walk Line Operator
Plymouth Devonport, Dockyard, Keyham, St Budeaux Ferry Road, Saltash, St Germans, Menheniot, Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Par, St Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, Hayle, St Erth, Penzance Gwithian to St Erth, St Erth to St Ives Cornish Main Line First Great Western, Cross Country Trains
Par Luxulyan, Bugle, Roche, St Columb Road, Quintrell Downs, Newquay Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth Par to Newquay branch First Great Western, Cross Country Trains
Penzance St Erth, Lelant Saltings, Lelant, Carbis Bay, St Ives Gwithian to St Erth, St Erth to St Ives, St Ives to Zennor St Ives Branch First Great Western

Operators

First Great Western run longer distance services between London Paddington and Penzance. Most services through Cornwall will call at Bodmin Parkway and Par (for the Newquay branch line). They also run some direct services between London Paddington and Newquay on summer weekends. First Great Western run a sleeper train every night except for Saturdays between London Paddington and Penzance. In addition First Great Western operate all local trains on the main line and on the various branch lines through Cornwall including the lines to Newquay and St Ives.
Cross Country Trains run longer distance trains from Scotland, The North, Midlands, Bristol and on to Penzance via Exeter and Plymouth. They also run services to Newquay on summer Saturdays.
The Bodmin and Wenford Railway runs steam and diesel trains between Bodmin Parkway and Bodmin General and between Bodmin General and Boscarne Junction (for the Camel Trail). A limited service runs on some days during the winter and daily during the summer months.

Timetables

Pre-Printed Timetables

Pre-Printed timetable booklets are available from all staffed stations around North Cornwall (Par and Bodmin Parkway are staffed, Newquay is on certains days during the summer). In addition some of the rail operators have provided timetables for downloading on their web sites. See the links below

On-Line Timetables and Ticket Sales

There are several web sites which allow you to search for rail information, some also provide information on fares. If you are booking train tickets in advance, it is advised to book your ticket on the website of the relevant train operator as this will typically offer you the lowest fares, on-line booking of tickets and free delivery. The sites below provide timetable information and some information on fares accross the rail network. Some also sell tickets, but you typically have to pay an additional booking fee where this facility is available.

National Rail

The National Rail site has lots of information on the rail network, including a journey planner that gives the train times and fares, real time travel information and real time departure information for many stations. For the timetable, follow the link Planning Your Journey near the top left.

The TrainLine

The TrainLine.com provides timetable, train fare information and it allows you to book a ticket in advance (which can be picked up at some stations or delivered to your house). It does require you to register first though and does charge a booking fee.

Duetsche Bahn

Duetsche Bahn (the German rail operator) provides (in English) an on-line timetable for all UK rail services. It also offers a list of calling points for all the trains (rather than just where you need to change), a map of the route takes and will produce a personalised PDF (Adobe Acrobat file) of the timetable between any two stations.

Train Running

Rail Services in the UK sometimes suffer from delays and disruption, so it is useful to check for potential problems before setting out. National Rail Enquiries is a telephone line (open 24-hours a day) which can provide timetable and current train running information. The number is 08457 48 49 50. Calls are charged at the local rate within the UK.

There is also a SMS text service to check current train running. To use this service, text the name of the station you wish to travel from to 84950 and you will recieve a message back in response listing the times of the next few departures from that station and whether the trains are delayed. You will be charged for using this service in addition to any charge your mobile provider may levy for sending text messages.

There is also on-line train running information available updated frequently. The main site lists problems and disruption (current and cleared), for the whole UK. In addition current live arrival and departure information is available for most stations in the UK. The links below include the live arrival and departure screens for all the stations relevant to the North Cornwall Coast.

Discount Cards

If you're travelling regularly by train, it might be worth investing in a Railcard, which offers discounts on most rail services. The following lists details of all the railcards that are available, their cost and validity. For further details and to apply, see the Railcards website.

Railcard Eligibility Cost Discount Available Routes valid on
16-25 Railcard Available to anyone aged 16 to 25 and to full-time students over 26. £24 per year 1/3 off most standard class rail fares. Minimum fare applies before 10am on weekdays. All routes nationwide, except preserved railways.
Senior Railcard Anyone aged 60 or over. £24 per year. 1/3 off most rail fares - see website for details. All routes nationwide, except preserved railways.
Family and Friend railcard Up to 4 adults and 4 children, but must be at least one child in group to qualify for the discount £24 per year 1/3 off most adult fares and 60% off child fares. Must be at least 1 adult and 1 child travelling together and a maximum of 4 adults and 4 children. All routes nationwide, except preserved railways.
Disabled Persons Railcard People with certain disabilities, see website for more details £18 per year or £48 for three years 1/3 off most rail fares. All routes nationwide, except preserved railways.
Devon and Cornwall Railcard Available to residents of Devon and Cornwall, only. £10 per year. 1/3 off off peak fares within Devon and Cornwall. Routes within Devon and Cornwall only.

Bus Services

Routes

Bus services operate between many points on the South West coast path and also connect with major towns and cities and the National Rail network. Some bus services run only during the summer or during the week only and may run different timetables at weekends. There are also some bus services which connect with the National Rail network, many with through rail - bus tickets available from stations.

The following table lists bus routes of use for accessing the coast path, with places on the coast path in bold. Note that for larger towns, not all bus services to the town are listed but all buses that serve other points on the coast are listed.

The timetable links below may be out of date, you are advised to check before travelling

From To Walk(s) Service No Operator Approximate day time frequency (Monday - Saturday) Notes
Barnstaple Bideford, Abbotsham, Ford, Fairy Cross, Bucks Cross, Clovelly Cross, Clovelly, Hartland. Sunday services extend to Bude Barnstaple to Bideford, Bideford to Westward Ho!, Westward Ho! to Clovelly, Hartland to Clovelly, Hartland to Bude, Bude to Widemouth Bay 319 Stagecoach in Devon 6 buses a day Monday - Saturday, 2 on Sundays, extended to/from Bude Some services do not serve Clovelly, only Clovelly cross (just over 1 mile from Clovelly). Bus serves Hartland village, not the quay or Hartland point. Some services Monday - Saturday have connections to Bude
Hartland Baxworthy Cross, Welcombe Cross, Crimp Corner, Gooseham, Shop, Woodford, Morwenstow, Cleave Crescent, Coombe, Stibb Corner, Stratton, Bude Hartland to Clovelly, Hartland to Bude, Bude to Widemouth Bay 319 First Devon and Cornwall 2-3 daily, Monday - Friday, 3 daily on Saturdays. No Sunday service Some services timed to connect with Stagecoach 319 to/from Barnstaple. Sunday service available between Hartland and Bude on Stagecoach 319
Exeter (Bus Station) Exeter St Davids station, Okehampton, Thorndon Cross, Castle Cross, Halwill Junction, Dunsland Cross, Holsworthy, Stratton, Bude Hartland to Bude, Bude to Widemouth Bay X9 First Devon and Cornwall Approximatly once every two hours Monday - Saturday. Twice daily on Sundays. Some services on weekdays run only on Fridays - check times of last bus before travelling!
Plymouth (Bus station & City Centre Plymouth Station, St Budeaux, Saltash, Hatt, St Mellion, Callington, Kelly Bray, Treburley, Pages Cross, Pennygillam Cross, Launceston, Newport, St Stephen, Yeolmbridge, Whitstone, Bevills Hill, Red Post, Stratton, Bude Hartland to Bude, Bude to Widemouth Bay 76,76A First Devon and Cornwall 6 daily Plymouth to Bude (Monday - Saturday only) Additional buses Plymouth to Launceston, including on Sundays.
Holsworthy Pyworthy, Bridgerule, Stratton, Bude Hartland to Bude, Bude to Widemouth Bay 285 First Devon and Cornwall 3 daily, Monday - Friday only No service at weekends.
Exeter (Bus Station) Exeter St Davids station, Okehampton, Thorndon Cross, Castle Cross, Halwill Junction, Dunsland Cross, Holsworthy, Stratton, Bude Hartland to Bude, Bude to Widemouth Bay X90 Hookways Twice daily, Monday - Saturday only No sunday service
Bude Marhamchurch, Helebridge, Widemouth Bay, Bude Hartland to Bude, Bude to Widemouth Bay, Widemouth Bay to Crackington Haven 518 Western Greyhound 5 daily, Monday - Saturday only No sunday service on this route
Kilkahmpton Stibb Corner, Poughill, Red Post, Stratton, Bude Hartland to Bude, Bude to Widemouth Bay 519 Western Greyhound 5 daily, Monday to Saturday No sunday service, additional buses run between Stratton and Bude.
Bude Widemouth Bay, Treskinick Cross, Wainhouse Corner, Crackington Haven, Boscastle Hartland to Bude, Bude to Widemouth Bay, Widemouth Bay to Crackington Haven, Crackington Haven to Boscastle, Boscastle to Tintagel 595 Western Greyhound 6 daily Monday - Saturday, 4 daily Summer Sundays No Sunday service in the winter
St Columb Major Wadebridge (Bus station), St Kew Highway, Camelford, Tintagel, Boscastle Crackington Haven to Boscastle, Boscastle to Tintagel, Tintagel to Port Isaac 594 Western Greyhound Hourly Monday - Saturday, 4 daily on Sundays between Boscastle and Camelford ONLY Sunday service does not run between St Columb Major and Camelford
Camelford Delabole, Port Gaverne, Port Isaac, Port Quinn, Polzeath, Rock, Wadebridge Tintagel to Port Isaac, Port Isaac to Rock 584 Western Greyhound Once every 2 hours, Monday - Saturday. 4 Daily summer Sundays. No winter Sunday service.
Bodmin Parkway station Bodmin, Dunmere, Washaway, Sladesbridge, Wadebridge, Whitecross, St Issey, Padstow Port Isaac to Rock (via ferry), Padstow to Constantine 555 Western Greyhound Hourly Monday - Saturday, once every 2 hours on Sunday
Padstow Windmill (for Trevone Bay), Harlyn Bay, St Merryn, Constantine Bay, Porthcothan Bay, Bedruthen Steps, Mawgan Porth, , Newquay Airport, Watergate Bay, Porth Beach, Newquay Station, Newquay Port Isaac to Rock (via ferry), Padstow to Constantine, Constantine to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth 556 Western Greyhound Hourly Monday - Saturday, once every 2 hours on Sunday
St Columb Major St Merryn, Windmill (for Trevone Bay), Padstow Port Isaac to Rock (via ferry), Padstow to Constantine 557 Western Greyhound Once every two hours, Monday to Saturday only No service on Sundays
Newquay Porth, St Columb Minor, Quintrell Downs, Goonhavern, Perranporth, St Agnes, Porthtowan Turn, Hells Mouth, Gwithian, Hayle, Lelant, Carbis Bay, St. Ives Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth, Perranport to St Agnes, St Agnes to Portreath, Portreath to Gwithian, Gwithian to St Erth, St Erth to St Ives 501 Western Greyhound One per day Newquay - St Ives, two per day Perranporth to St Ives Summer only, daily except Saturday No Saturday service, No winter service.
Exeter St Davids Station Pathfinder Village, Tedburn St Mary, Cheriton Bishop, Whiddon Down, Okehampton, Bridestowe, Lewdown, Lifton, Launceston, Tregadillett, Hallworthy, Davidstowe, Camelford, St Kew, Wadebridge, St Columb Major, Newquay Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth 510 Western Greyhound 3 daily Monday - Saturday, 1 per day on Sundays
St Austell Station St Austell, Trewoon, High Street, Foxhole, Nanpean, Whitemoor, St Dennis, Indian Queens, St Columb Road station, White Cross, Quintrell Downs, St Columb Minor, Porth, Newquay Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth 521 Western Greyhound Hourly Monday - Saturday, once every two hours on Sunday
Truro Zelah, St Newlyn East, Qunitrell Downs (586 only), St Columb Minor (586 only), Porth, Newquay Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth 585,586 Western Greyhound Twice per hour, Monday - Saturday No Sunday service
Truro Truro Station, Perranporth, Goonhavern, Holywell Bay, Crantock, Newquay Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth, Perranporth to St Agnes. 587 Western Greyhound Twice per hour Truro to Perranport, hourly Truro to Newquay Monday - Saturday, Hourly on Sunday
Falmouth Penryn, Truro, Quintrell Downs, St Columb Minor, Treloggan, Porth, Newquay Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth 89/90 First Devon and Cornwall Hourly Monday - Saturday No Sunday service. Service 89 via Treloggan, 90 via St Columb Minor
Truro Truro Station, St Agnes, Perranporth, Goonhavern, Newquay Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth, Perranporth to St Agnes 403 Summercourt Travel Hourly Monday - Friday No service at weekends. Limited stop service. Enhanced summer service.
Helston Rame Cross, Sithians, Longdowns, Devoran, Truro, Truro Station, Threemilestone, Chiverton Cross, St Agnes, Perranporth Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth, Perranporth to St Agnes T1 First Devon and Cornwall (formerly Truronian) Twice per hour between Helston and St Agnes Monday - Saturday. Limited service to Perranporth. 5 daily on Sundays between Perranporth and Helston. Most buses do not run beyond St Agnes to/from Perranporth
Redruth Redruth Station, Treskerby, Mount Ambrose, Scorrier, Wheal Rose, Porthtowan, St Agnes Perranporth to St Agnes, St Agnes to Portreath 315 Hopleys Coaches 6 daily Monday - Saturday only No sunday service.
Truro Truro station, Threemilestone, Penstraze, Blackwater, Mount Hawke, Towan Cross, Porthtowan Perranporth to St Agnes, St Agnes to Portreath 304 Hopleys Coaches Hourly Monday - Friday only No weekend service.
Truro Truro Station, Carnon Downs, Perranwell, Frogpool, Pulla Cross, Gewennap, Carharrack, St Day, Vogue, Redruth, Sparnon Gate, Illogan, Portreath, Pool, Cambourne. St Agnes to Portreath, Portreath to Gwithian T7 First Devon and Cornwall (formerly Truronian) Hourly Monday - Saturday, 5 times daily Redruth to Portreath only on Sundays. Sunday service operates between Redruth and Portreath only.
Penzance Long Rock, Marazion, Wheal Rodney, Gwallon, St Erth, Hayle, Gwithian Portreath to Gwithian, Gwithian to St Erth, St Erth to St Ives 515 Western Greyhound 3-4 times daily Monday - Saturday only No Sunday service.
Penzance Long Rock, Crowlas, St Erth, Hayle, Copperhouse, Cambourne, Pool, Redruth, Chacewater, Truro, St Ives Gwithian to St Erth, St Erth to St Ives, St Ives to Zennor 14, 18 First Devon and Cornwall Twice per hour Truro - Hayle. Service 18 continues to Penzance, service 14 to St Ives No Sunday service.
St Ives Carbis Bay, Lelant, St Erth, Long Rock, Penzance, Mardon, St Just Gwithian to St Erth, St Erth to St Ives, St Ives to Zennor, Morvah to Sennen Cove 17,17A First Devon and Cornwall Twice per hour Monday - Saturday, hourly Sundays Once every two hours only on Sunday between St Ives and St Just
St Ives Carbis Bay, Lelant, St Erth, Long Rock, Penzance, Mardon, St Just Gwithian to St Erth, St Erth to St Ives, St Ives to Zennor, Morvah to Sennen Cove 17,17A First Devon and Cornwall Twice per hour Monday - Saturday, hourly Sundays Once every two hours only on Sunday between St Ives and St Just
St Ives Consols, Towednack, Zennor, Gurnards Head, Penzance St Erth to St Ives, St Ives to Zennor, Zennor to Morvah, Morvah to Sennen Cove 508 Western Greyhound 4-5 daily, Monday - Saturday only No Sunday service
Gurnards Head Morvah, Pendeen, Botallack, St Ives St Erth to St Ives, Zennor to Morvah, Morvah to Sennen Cove 508 Western Greyhound 4 daily, Monday - Friday, 3 daily Saturday, No service on Sunday No Sunday service
Penzance Newlyn, Gwavas Crossroads, Lamora Turn, St Buryan, Sennen Cove, Porthcurno, Lands End Morvah to Sennen Cove, Lands End to Sennen Cove 1 First Devon and Cornwall Approx once every two hours Monday - Saturday, 4 daily on Sundays
Penzance Newlyn, Mousehole, Lamora, St Buryan, Porthcurno, Lands End, Sennen Cove, Lands End Airport, St Just Morvah to Sennen Cove, Lands End to Sennen Cove 504 Western Greyhound 2 daily Monday - Saturday only No Sunday service

Operators

Tickets purchased from one bus company are not normally valid on buses run by different companies.

First Devon and Cornwall First Devon and Cornwall are the biggest bus operator in Cornwall, and operate many of the local and longer distance services. Some of their routes are frequent, others are quite infrequent. Their customer service line is on 01752 402060. Their services cover much of the North Cornwall. First Devon and Cornwall have recently taken over Truronian and now operator their former routes (route numbers beginning with T).
Western Greyhound Western Greyhound have expanded a lot in recent years and are now the second largest operator in the county, providing a good network of services virtually the length of the North Cornwall Coast from Bude in the north to Lands End at the west. Day return and single fares are resonably priced. Timetables for all of their routes are avilable on the web site. For more information call 01637 871871 or email enquiries@westerngreyhound.com
Hookways Hookways Jennings run local services from Bude. For more information call 01837 810257.
Summercourt Travel Summercourt Travel provide a service to Newquay and Perranporth. For further information on their services call 01726 861108.
Hopleys Coaches Hopleys Coaches run a small number of services around Porthtowan and St Agnes. For details of their services call 01872 553786.

Timetable information

Bus timetable information is available from the Traveline South West site, operators concerned, or from Traveline telephone information on 0870 608 2 608. Note that this number uses caller line identfication to identify the telephone number you are calling from and put you through to the local office covering your current area. To avoid this, withold your number by dialling 141 before the number, or call from a mobile. In this case you will get a menu option to chose your area. The website also includes a journey planner, and includes rail information.

Rover Tickets

Rover Tickets provide a way to travel on bus and train services for several days at a time, without having to purchase seperate tickets. If your in the area for a few days it is worth looking into.

Bus Only Rover Tickets

First Day South West

This ticket is available from the driver of any First Group bus in Devon and Cornwall and provides unlimited travel for one day on all First Group buses in Devon and Cornwall, including services branded as Truronian. The ticket costs £6.60.

Western Greyhound Day Explorer

This ticket is available from the driver of any Western Greyhound bus service and provides unlimited use on all Western Greyhound bus services as well as those provided by Stagecoach in Devon. The tickets costs £7.

Bus and Rail Rovers

Ride Cornwall

This ticket allows unlimited travel on all rail services within Cornwall and all buses operated by First Group (including Truronian service) and Western Greyhound. The ticket is valid at any time on weekends and after 9am on weekdays and costs £10.

Rail Only Rover Tickets

Several tickets relevant to the North Cornwall coast are available.

Freedom of the South West 3 in 7 day Rover

The Freedom of the South West 3 in 7 day rover provides unlimited off-peak use of all National rail services in Devon and Cornwall as well as most parts of Dorset and Somerset. The ticket can be used on any 3 days out of 7 (selected by marking a cross in the appropiate boxes on the ticket) and is available to use on all services at weekends and services after 09:00am on weekdays. The ticket costs £70.00 and further details are available here.

Freedom of Devon and Cornwall, 8 in 15 day rover

The Freedom of Devon and Cornwall 8 in 15 day rover ticket is a ticket that enables unlimited off-peak use of all National Rail services in Devon and Cornwall. The ticket is valid at any time on weekends and after 09:00am on weekdays and costs £60. You select the days you wish to use the ticket by placing a cross in the appropriate boxes and it can be used for a maximum of 8 days in a 15 day period.

The Freedom of Devon and Cornwall 3 in 7 days rover.

The The Freedom of Devon and Cornwall 3 in 7 days rover provides unlimited off-peak use of all National Rail services in Devon and Cornwall for any 3 days in 7. It is valid after 09:00 Monday - Friday and any time at weekends and the ticket costs £40.

The Freedom of The South West 8 in 15 days rover

The Freedom of the South West 8 in 15 days rover provides unlimited off-peak use of all National Rail services in Devon and Cornwall as well as most of Dorset, Somerset and parts of Wiltshire. The ticket is valid after 09:00 on weekdays and any time at weekends. The ticket costs £95.

Cornish Day Ranger

The Cornish Day Ranger provides unlimited use off rail services in Cornwall at any time at weekends and after 9:30am on weekdays. The fare is £10 per day.

Maps

Maps are available showing bus and rail services. Click on the links below.


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