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.

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, South West Trains, Virgin Trains, Wessex Trains, Arriva Trains Wales
Par Luxulyan, Bugle, Roche, St Columb Road, Quintrell Downs, Newquay Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth Sand Sea and Surf Line First Great Western, Virgin Trains, Wessex 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 Wessex Trains

Operators

Most rail tickets (such as day returns) are valid on any of the train operators below (except for the Bodmin and Wenford railway, which is private). Some advance purchase tickets are limited to certain rail operators only (such as Virgin Value tickets).

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. A motorail service runs on Fridays during the summer from London Paddington to Penzance. A through bus connection to Wadebridge and Padstow operates from Bodmin Parkway.
Arriva Trains Wales run longer distance trains from South and West Wales and the Midlands and North direct to Penzance. All these services call at Bodmin Parkway and Par (for the branch line to Newquay).
Wessex Trains run local services in Cornwall. These include most branch line services between Par and Newquay and St Erth and St Ives and local services between Plymouth and Penzance. They also operate some longer distance services from Paignton and Exeter and from Portsmouth direct to Penzance. All of these services call at Bodmin Parkway and Par (for the Newquay branch line).
Virgin Trains operate longer distance services from the Midlands, the North and Scotland to Penzance. These services normally call at Par (for the branch line to Newquay) and Bodmin Parkway. They also operate services from Northern England and Scotland direct 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.

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 has a habit of offering trains for which it lists no valid fare!.

QJump

QJump is very similar to the TrainLine and provides timetables, fares and on-line bookings. It is neccessary to register only if you wish to order tickets on-line.

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 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.

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.

The timetable links below may be out of date, you are advised to check before travelling

From To Walk Service No Operator Through rail tickets available? (via Station)
Bude Stratton, Stibb, Kilkhampton, Crimp, Shop, Gooseham, Woodford, Morwenstow Morwenstow to Bude, Bude to Widemouth 207, 649 Hookways Jennings No
Launceston Newport, St Stephens, Whitstone, Bude, Stratton, Bridgerule, Holsworthy Morwenstow to Bude, Bude to Widemouth 85 First Devon and Cornwall No
Barnstaple Roundswell, Bideford, Abbotsham, Clovelly, Hartland, Kilkhampton, Statton, Bude Morwenstow to Bude, Bude to Widemouth 319, X18, X19 First Western National No
Plymouth Milehouse, St Budeaux, Saltash, Callington, Laucenston, Stratton, Hillhead, Bude Morwenstow to Bude, Bude to Widemouth X8, 76 First Western National No
Exeter Whiddon Down, Ramsley, Sticklepath, Okehampton, Thorndon Cross, Castle Cross, Halwill Junction, Dunsland Cross, Holsworthy, Stratton, Bude Bude to Widemouth Bay X9 (Express) First Western National Yes (from Exeter St Davids)
Clovelly Hartland, East Staddon, Baxworthy Corner, Welcombe Cross, Wooley Long Barrow, Eastcott Cross, Crimp, Stursdon, Taylors Cross, Kilkhampton, Stratton, Bude Morwenstow to Bude, Bude to Widemouth 919 Hookways Jennings No
Plymouth St Budeaux, Saltash, Callington, Launceston, Stratton, Bude Bude to Widemouth X8 First Western National Yes (Plymouth)
Bude Widemouth Bay Morwenstow to Bude, Bude to Widemouth, Widemouth Bay to Crackington Haven 206 Hookways Jennings No
Wadebridge Dinham, St Minver, Tredizzick, Polzeath, Port Quinn, St Endellion, Port Isaac, Port Gaverne, Delabole, Tintagel, Boscastle, Crackington Haven, Wainhouse Corner, Treskinnick, Widemouth Bay, Bude Morwenstow to Bude, Bude to Widemouth, Widemouth Bay to Crackington Haven, Crackington Haven to Boscastle, Boscastle to Tintagel, Tintagel to Port Isaac, Port Isaac to Rock 524 Western Greyhound No
Truro Summercourt, St Columb Major, Wadebridge, Delabole, Camelford, Tintagel, Boscastle, Crackington Haven, Widemouth Bay, Bude Morwenstow to Bude, Bude to Widemouth, Widemouth Bay to Crackington Haven, Crackington Haven to Boscastle, Boscastle to Tintagel, Tintagel to Port Isaac 594 Western Greyhound No
The Eden Project St Blayzey, Lanhydrock House, Bodmin Parkway Station, Bodmin General Station, Bodmin, Wadebridge, Padstow Port Isaac to Rock, Padstow to Constantine 555 Western Greyhound Yes (Bodmin Parkway)
Constantine Bay St Merryn, Harlyn Bay, Tevone Bay, Windmill, Padstow, Indian Queens, Fraddon, New Mills, Truro Port Isaac to Rock, Padstow to Constantine, Constantine to Mawgan Porth 595 Western Greyhound No
Padstow Windmill (for Trevone Bay), Harlyn Bay, St Merryn, Constatine Bay, Porthcothan Bay, St Eval, Mawgan Porth, St Mawgan, Newquay Airport, Watergate Bay, Porth Beach, Newquay Padstow to Constantine, Constantine to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth 556 Western Greyhound No
Newquay Porth, St Columb Minor, RAF St Mawgan, St Columb Major, St Columb Road, Indian Queens, Fraddon, Summercourt, Mitchell, Truro, Truro Station Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth 592 Western Greyhound No
Plymouth Milehouse, St Budeaux, Saltash, Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway Station, Bodmin, Bodmin General Station, St Columb Major, RAF St Mawgan, St Columb Minor, Porth, Newquay Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth 593 Western Greyhound No
Gorran Haven Mavagissey, Pentewan, London Apprentice, Polgooth, St Austell, High Street, St Stephen, Summercourt, Quintrell Downs, Newquay Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth 526 Western Greyhound No
Exeter Exeter St Davids Station, Pathfinder Village, Tedburn St Mary, Okehampton, Lewdown, Lifton, Launceston, Hallworthy, Camelford, St Kew, Wadebridge, St Columb Major, St Columb Minor, Newquay. Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth X10 First Western National Yes (Exeter St Davids & Okehampton)
Par St Blazey, St Austell, Trewoon, St Stephen, Foxhole, Nanpean, Whitemoor, St Dennis, Indian Queens, Higher Fraddon, St Columb Road, White Cross, Quintrell Downs, Porth, Newquay Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth 21, 21A, 21B First Western National No
St Austell Penwithick, Stenalees, Bugle, Roche, St Columb Major, St Columb Minor, Porth, Newquay Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth 28 First Western National No
Truro Truro Station, Treliske Hospital, Perranporth, Goonhavern, Cubert, Holywell Bay, Crantock, Newquay Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth, Perranporth to St Agnes. 87 First Western National Yes (Truro)
The Eden Project Roche, St Columb Major, Newquay Airport, Watergate Bay, Porth, Newquay Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth T10 Truronian Yes (Roche)
Truro Victoria, Shortlanesend, Newquay, Perranporth Newquay to Mawgan Porth, Newquay to Perranporth, Perranporth to St Agnes. 585, 586 Western Greyhound No
Lizard Ruan Minor, Mullion, Cury, RNAS Culdrose, Helston, Truro, St Agnes, Perranporth. Newquay to Perranporth, Perranporth to St Agnes, St Agnes to Portreath. T1 Truronian No
Truro Truro Station, Perranwell, Frogpool, Pulla Cross, Gwennap, Carharrack, St Day, Vogue, Redruth (Station), Bridge, Portreath St Agnes to Portreath, Portreath to Gwithian T7 Truronian No
Camborne Tuckingmill, Pool, Paynters, Portreath St Agnes to Portreath, Portreath to Gwithian 44 First Western National No
Troon Pengegon, Camborne, Tuckingmill, Redruth, Redruth Station, Portreath St Agnes to Portreath, Portreath to Gwithian 45, 45A First Western National No
St Just Botallack, Boscaswell, Portherras, Newbridge, Morvah, Penzance, Long Rock, St Erth, Lelant, Carbis Bay, St Ives Gwithian to St Erth, St Erth to St Ives, St Ives to Zennor, Zennor to Morvah, Morvah to St Just, St Just to Sennen Cove 17 First Western National Yes (Penzance & St Erth)
Truro Truro Station, Teliske Hospital, Chacewater, Redruth, Pool, Camborne, Hayle, St Erth, Long Rock, Penzance, Lelant, Carbis Bay, St Ives Gwithian to St Erth, St Erth to St Ives, St Ives to Zennor 14, 18 First Western National Yes (Truro, Penzance & St Erth)
Penzance Gulval, Badger's Cross, Ludgvan, Crowlas, St Erth, Halestown, St Ives Gwithian to St Erth, St Erth to St Ives, St Ives to Zennor 16 First Devon and Cornwall No
Penzance Long Rock, Marazion, Crowlas, St Erth, Lelant, Carbis Bay, St Ives, Towednack, Zennor, Gurnads Head, Morvah, Portherras, Pendeen, Geevor, Botallack, St Just, Keylanack, Lands End Airport, Sennen Cove, Lands End, Sennen, Drift, Newlyn, Penzance Gwithian to St Erth, St Erth to St Ives, St Ives to Zennor, Zennor to Morvah, Morvah to Sennen Cove, Lands End to Sennen Cove 300 First Western National No
Penzance Newlyn, Paul, Sheffield, Lamora, St Buryan, Sennen Cove, Treen, Porthcurno, Lands End St Just to Sennen Cove, Lands End to Sennen Cove 1, 1A First Western National Yes (Penzance)
Penzance Newlyn, Sheffield, Lamora Cove, St Buryan, Treen, Porthcurno, Polgigga, Lands End, Sennen Cove, Lands End Airport, St Just, Cape Cornwall, Nancherrow, Botallack, Pendeen, Morvah, Penzance Morvah to St Just, St Just to Sennen Cove, Lands End to Sennen Cove 345 Sunset Coaches No

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 01209 719988 and 01208 79898. They have bus stations within the North Cornwall area at Penzance, Camborne and Newquay. All of these travel stations have local timetables and staff available to help plan journeys. They publish complete Public Transport guides for North Cornwall, which are available from travel shops, Tourist Information Centres or by post (phone for details).
Western Greyhound Western Greyhound operate local and longer distance services around the North Cornwall Coast, Truro and St Austell. They provide coastal services between Bude, Boscastle, Tintagel, Padstow, Newquay and Perranporth, local services around Newquay and services between Truro, Bodmin and Wadebridge and the coast. Through tickets are available on many routes, including the service to Bodmin Parkway Station. 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.co.uk
Truronian Truronian operate services based around Truro. The main service of interest on the North Cornwall coast is service T1 which provides local services between St. Agnes and Perranporth, which continues onto Truro and Lizard Point on the south coast. In addition, service T7 operates frequently to Portreath. Full timetables can be downloaded from their website.
Hookways Hookways Jennings run local services from Bude, including services to Morwenstow, Widemouth Bay and Hartland. For more information call 01837 810257.
National Express National Express run longer distance coach services from many towns and cities to most towns on the North Cornwall coast. Services must (in general) be pre-booked. However First Western National explorer tickets are valid on some National Express services. The prices tend to be quite high however, and the service is not really appropriate for local journeys between points on the coast path.

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 Plus

Are available for one day and offer unlimited travel on all First Group buses in Cornwall, as well as Devon, Dorset, Avon and Somerset. They cost £5.

Bus and Rail Rovers

Penwith Rover

This ticket is available in West Cornwall and allows use of Wessex Trains services between St. Ives, Carbis Bay, Lelant, St Erth and Penzance and local buses around in the area.

Rail Only Rover Tickets

Two tickets relevant to the North Cornwall coast are available.

Cornish Rail Rover

The Cornish Rail Rover provides unlimited off-peak use of all national rail lines in Cornwall for and 3 in 7 days or any 8 in 15 days.

Freedom of the South West Rover

The Freedom of the South West rail rover provides unlimited use of all National Rail services in Cornwall and Devon, and onto many parts of Avon, Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset. It is available for 8 in 15 days versions (ie you can choose any 8 days out of 15 consecutive days to travel).

Dartmoor Sunday Rover

The Dartmoor Sunday rover costs £6 and is available every summer Sunday and Bank Holidays. It provides unlimited use of the Dartmoor Line Railway (Exeter - Okehampton) and the Tamar Valley Line Railway (Plymouth - Gunnislake), and a wide network of buses running accross Dartmoor, South Devon, North Devon and parts of North Cornwall. It is valid on buses running as far as Bude, Boscastle and Tintagel. The Sunday Rover is now also available in the winter, although a more limited service operates during the winter. For more information on the valid services, see the leaflet, which is widely available from Bus and Rail station and Tourist Information Centres in Devon and Cornwall.

Maps

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

Comments? Email webmaster@explorethesouthwestcoastpath.co.uk