Trains to Cornwall
Explore one of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations.
Best known for its amazing beaches, top notch surf, and stunning scenery, Cornwall has been a favourite holiday destination in the UK for generations. However, it’s not all golden sands – you can enjoy a great mix of museums, family days out, and even a bit of nightlife along the way.
Catching a train to Cornwall is a great way to start your holiday; just sit back and relax on one of our comfortable trains and let us do all the hard work for you. CrossCountry trains travel to most of Cornwall, taking you from Plymouth all the way to Penzance and stopping off at Truro, as well as connecting to Newquay during the busy summer months.
CrossCountry Trains to Cornwall
We have many direct trains to Cornwall departing from all over the country, from as far away as Aberdeen! Below are some of our most popular routes to and within Cornwall.
Plymouth to Truro
Bristol to Newquay
Manchester to Newquay
FAQ
Cornwall has a few larger towns and plenty of villages that are all great to visit. Getting to and from the larger towns is possible even if you don’t have a car. With CrossCountry, there are direct train routes that can take less than an hour, meaning you can hop around Cornwall as much as you like! These routes include:
- Penzance to Redruth: 25-minutes
- St Austell to Truro: 16-minutes
- Par to Camborne: 40-minutes
The main airport in Cornwall is Newquay Airport, from which you can travel to many airports in the UK, as well as international destinations. Getting to Newquay Airport from Newquay train station is easy -- grab the number 56 bus and you’ll arrive in around 20 minutes.
Finding cheaper trains to Cornwall may be easier than you think. Make sure you see whether you’re eligible for a railcard - if so, you can save up to ⅓ of every journey. Booking in advance, comparing single journeys and travelling off-peak are other ways to save some cash. Check out our cheap train tickets page as it outlines more ways of bagging yourself cheaper train fares.
Check out our stations page for more information on any of the stations in Cornwall. Simply type in the name of the destination you’d like to visit.
Shopping in Cornwall
Truro is Cornwall’s only city and boasts a great shopping hub. The pedestrianised city centre offers a wealth of different shopping options, including lots of high street faves alongside a great choice of independent shops. Locals also recommend Truro for charity shopping if you’re after a bargain!
If you’re looking for shops with more of a boho, hippy vibe, you should head to Penzance. Although it’s a compact market town, there are still plenty of unusual little shops where you can unearth one-off treasures.
Penzance is also home to the Wharfside Shopping Centre. Smaller than the typical shopping centre, it still has some nice shops, as well as some restaurants, and - of course - easy access to the sea. It’s the perfect place to while away a couple of hours indulging in some retail therapy.
Food & Drink in Cornwall
Whether you’re a jam first or a cream first kind of person, no trip to Cornwall is complete without a Cornish cream tea. Truro and Penzance both have a range of options available, with Charlotte’s Teahouse in Truro being a popular option with a traditional feel.
With so much amazing seafood on offer, you’ll be hard pressed not to find an amazing restaurant serving up locally sourced goodies wherever you end up in Cornwall. From some of the county’s best fish and chips shops to trendy seafood restaurants, there’s something for everyone. The Harbour Fish and Grill in Newquay is an excellent option in the summer months, thanks to its beautiful cliffside location and breath-taking views.
Another local favourite you shouldn’t miss is cider. Cornish cider is so beloved for a reason, and most pubs serve a good selection. Some of our favourite pubs can be found in Penzance; we love them because of the traditional vibe and old-school aesthetic.
Culture in Cornwall
When it comes to things to do, the top choice in Cornwall is obviously the amazing beaches with some of the best sandy beaches in the country, as well as some truly incredible surf. Newquay has long been the surf capital of the UK, but there are plenty of other options dotted around the Cornish coast.
If you’re looking for a great family day out, there’s no better choice than the Eden Project. Not only is it really easy to reach by train, but there’s also a ton of different activities to take part in and adventures to be had, meaning every trip is as good as the first.
There are loads of other fun day trips and excursions around Cornwall: learn about the local history of mining at the Royal Cornwall Museum, visit the photogenic St Michael’s Mount, or splash about in Jubilee Pool.
Catching a train to Cornwall
We encourage booking in advance - you can do this via our website or CrossCountry trains app! To get the very best out of your train travel, learn about our exclusive benefits offered to registered customers,and if you’re looking for travel inspiration, our UK Holidays and Days Out hubs can help.
If you want to explore Cornwall and all it has to offer, you’ll want to make a holiday of it! So, make sure you book a great value hotel in Cornwall before you arrive.
Summer Holidays UK
You don’t need to travel abroad for your summer holiday, we’ve got great destinations here in the UK. Find the best UK summer holiday destinations with CrossCountry.
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