Travel across Cornwall – Ferry Times, Public Transport and Buses to the Eden Project, Cornish Train Timetables

There are a number of ferry services operating in Cornwall, and some will even take vehicles.  Bikes can generally be carried on all ferries, but it is wise to ring ahead when dealing with a large number of bikes on foot-ferries.

Some of the ferries operate all year round; some only during the summer.

Torpoint - Plymouth
Daily frequent service, reduced service through the night.
Contact: Tamar Bridge & Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee
Tamar Bridge Office, St. Budeaux, PL5 1LP.
(01752) 361577
 
Mount Edgcumbe - Plymouth
Daily service every 30 minutes, reduced service in winter. Foot only.
Contact: Tamar Cruising and Cremyll Ferry
Cremyll Quay, Cremyll, Millbrook, Torpoint, PL10 1HX.
(01752) 822105
 
Fowey - Polruan
Daily continuous service, reduced service in winter. Foot only.
Contact: Polruan Ferry Co Ltd, Toms Yard, East Street, Polruan PL23 1PB.
(01726) 870232
 
Fowey - Bodinnick
Daily frequent service, reduced service in winter.
Contact: C Toms & Sons Ltd, Toms Yard, East Street, Polruan PL23 1PB.
(01726) 870232
 
Padstow - Rock
Summer: Daily continuous service. Winter: Mon to Sat continuous service. Foot only.
Contact: Padstow Harbour Commissioners
Harbour Office, Padstow PL28 8AQ.
(01841) 532239
 
Falmouth - St Mawes
Summer: Daily service Mon to Fri every 30 mins (approx), Sat and Sun hourly.
Winter: Mon to Sun hourly (no service Christmas Day). Foot only.
Contact: St Mawes Ferry Company
(01872) 862910
 
Falmouth - Flushing
Summer: Mon to Sat every 30 mins (approx). Sunday service April to September.
Winter: hourly. Foot only.
Contact: Flushing Ferry
7 Cainbridge Close, Falmouth TR11 4QR.
07974 799773
 
Feock - Philleigh
(King Harry Ferry)
Daily service, every 20 minutes, with reduced hours on Sundays and during the winter.
Contact: King Harry Ferry Ltd
Feock, TR3 6QJ.
(01872) 862312
 
Penzance - Isles of Scilly
Contact: Isles of Scilly Steamship Co Ltd
Quay Street, Penzance TR18 4BD.
0845 710 5555

St Mawes - Place
June - September daily every 30 mins (approx).
On demand service April, May & October. Foot only.
Contact: The Place Ferry
07791 283884
 
Helford Village - Helford Passage
Easter to October regular daily service. Foot only.
Contact: Helford River Boats
Helford Passage, Falmouth, TR11 5LB.
(01326) 250770.

Helford Passage - Trebah - Glendurgan
Frequent daily services during the summer. Foot only.
Contact: Helford River Boats
Helford Passage, Falmouth, TR11 5LB.
(01326) 250770.
 
Calstock - Cotehele Quay/Calstock - Ferry Farm (Bere Alston)
Occasional services between May - October. Foot only.
Contact: Calstock Ferry and Motor Launch Company
(01822) 833331
 
Mevagissey - Fowey
Daily April to October; 3 to 6 return trips
Contact: Mevagissey Ferries
 
Smugglers' Cottage Tolverne - Falmouth
Daily trips May to mid October
Contact: Newmans Boats on (01872) 580309
 
Truro - Falmouth
Mondays to Saturdays, 5 return trips May to September
Contact: Enterprise Boats
(01326) 374241
 
Ponsharden - Custom House Quay
(Falmouth Park and Float Service)
Daily services during the summer every 20 mins
Contact: Ponsharden Services
(01326) 319417
 
Falmouth - Trelissick - Tolverne - Malpas/Truro
Daily services during the summer.
Contact: Enterprise Boats
(01326) 374241
 
Falmouth Custom House Quay - Mylor Marina
Daily summer service and Aqua Cab Water taxi service.
Contact: Mylor Shuttle on 07970 242258
 
St Mawes - Trelissick - Tolverne - Malpas/Truro
Regular services Mon to Sat, reduced service on Sundays.
Contact: Enterprise Boats
(01326) 374241

If you are thinking of travelling by public transport, be warned: the transport network around Cornwall is not the best in the UK and certainly not the best in Europe!
However, there are some charming railway stations; click below for a
guide to scenic Westcountry railway journeys.

These two sites offer instant solutions and planners for your trip:

Traveline
Tranport Direct

Timetables and brochures can be requested here.

Warning!  Trains can be infrequent and station coverage can be sparse.

Cornwall is served by the Penzance to London Paddington main line and five scenic branch lines. The main line runs through Cornwall to the Devon border at Saltash, where it crosses the River Tamar and passes out of Cornwall.

Train operating companies in Cornwall:

First Great Western
The main train provider in Cornwall.  Lends main line services from Penzance to Plymouth and on to London Paddington, and all branch line services in Cornwall.
Customer Services:
Freepost SWB40576
Plymouth PL4 6ZZ
Telephone: 08457 000 125

CrossCountry
Main line services from Penzance and Plymouth to the Midlands, the North and Scotland.
Customer Relations:
3rd Floor
Smallbrook Queensway
Birmingham B5 4HA
Telephone: 0870 010 0084

For train times and fares contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50
(Daily 24 hours)

Main Line Services

Penzance*
St Erth* (for St Ives)
Hayle
Camborne*
Redruth*
Truro* (for Falmouth)
St Austell*
Par* (for Newquay)
Lostwithiel
Bodmin Parkway*
Liskeard* (for Looe)
Menheniot
St Germans
Saltash
Operators:
First Great Western
Cross Country

Monday to Saturday, approx. hourly during the day with three evening journeys.
Sunday: approx. hourly.
*Station staffed at least part-time

Branch Line Services

All operated by First Great Western. Aside fom Newquay train station, which is staffed during the peak summer season, there are no staff at any branch line stations.

Liskeard to Looe 'The Looe Valley Line'
Stations:
Coombe Junction Halt
St Keyne Wishing Well High
Causeland
Sandplace
Looe
Par to Newquay 'The Atlantic Coast Line'
Stations:
Luxulyan
Bugle
Roche
St Columb Road
Quintrell Downs
Newquay
Plymouth to Gunnislake 'The Tamar Valley Line'
Stations:
Devonport
Dockyard
Keyham
St Budeaux (Victoria Road)
Bere Ferrers
Bere Alston
Calstock
Gunnislake
St Erth to St Ives 'The St Ives Bay Line'
Stations:
Lelant Saltings
Lelant
Carbis Bay
St Ives
Truro to Falmouth 'The Maritime Line'
Stations:
Perranwell
Penryn
Penmere
Falmouth Town
Falmouth Docks

Train Services run on all branchlines, Monday to Saturday, but not all branchlines have a Sunday service. Please check with National Rail Enquiries
08457 48 49 50

For information on concessionary fares, railcards and special tickets, see
Cornwall County Council’s Rail Transport page.

Buses can often be irregular.  Follow the links below to become savvy with the timetables, or use a route planner such as transport direct to plan a specific day-trip.

Bus Timetables
Places Served by Buses

Eden Project Buses – getting to the Eden Project by Public Transport
An award winning Eden Branchline bus operates from St Austell Railway Station to the Eden Project (Service T9).   A bus service also runs daily from Newquay.  The full timetable is obtainable from the Truronian Bus Website.

The A30 and A38 are the two main holiday routes within Cornwall, with dual carriageways up to Carland Cross, Mitchell and Penzance.  Off the main carriageways, the roads can become jammed, as they can become rather windy and narrow... a clash of overconfident local drivers and overcautious tourists can sometimes cause a frustrating accident!

Wondering where you can park in Cornwall?  Here is a comprehensive directory of Cornwall’s car parks.

If you are planning on renting a car, click here for a list of Cornish car rental companies.

If you plan on having a night out, you may wish to have a look at our list of Cornish taxi companies.

Route Planners
Detailed route plans can be obtained using the AA Route Planner, the RAC Route Planner, Google Maps or Michelin Route Planner.  Transport Direct also offers this service.

For information on any possible delays or road works throughout the UK or in Cornwall visit BBC Travel News.

Worried about your carbon footprint?  Make emissions comparisons here!