London To Cornwall: Fun Way, Fast Way, & Other Ways

There are a few ways to get from London to Cornwall.

But by far, the best way to get there is either by going on a road trip via car or taking the train.

While my friend and I were planning our Cornish adventure, we did a lot of research on the best ways to traverse the land (because it is quite a lengthy journey, and you really do have to plan it out).

In this post, you get all our lessons learned, the “how to” for each option, the pros and cons, and a few travel tips along the way.

How To Get From London to Cornwall

Cornwall is a county located in the southwestern part of England, known for its beautiful coastline, picturesque villages, and historical sites.

The specific route and mode of transportation you choose will determine the duration and cost of your journey. Here’s an overview of your options, from most popular to fastest, with my travel advice to help guide you.

🚗 By Car (Most Popular)

This would be what I consider ‘the fun way‘. Driving from London to Cornwall offers flexibility and not only allows you to explore different areas along the way, but different towns within Cornwall (which are not easily connected via public transportation).

The journey takes approximately 5 hours, depending on traffic and your starting point in London. The route typically involves taking the M4 and M5 motorways, and the drive is fairly easy.

Benefits Of Renting A Car From London To Cornwall:
✅ Cornwall is large and it can be an advantage to have a car to explore
✅ There are quite a few iconic stops along the way from London to Cornwall
✅ Who doesn’t want to drive on the other side of the road (and live to tell about it?!)

I highly encourage checking traffic routes, especially during school holidays, as it can get pretty busy. Make sure to leave early to give yourself the best chance to avoid traffic.

➡️ I use Discover Cars to check for the best prices in the UK. ⬅️

What are the best stops along the way?

The journey from London to Cornwall can be quite scenic, with several interesting stops along the way that you might consider visiting. Here are some of the best stops you could make:

✅ Stonehenge

If you’re interested in ancient history and mysterious landmarks, a visit to Stonehenge could be worth your while. This prehistoric monument is located on the Salisbury Plain and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Plus, it’s on the way, not even a detour!
📍 Address: Google Maps
👉 Opening times: Daily 9.30am – 9pm (tickets & website)

✅ Salisbury

This charming medieval city is home to the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral, known for having one of the tallest spires in the UK. The city also boasts a historic market square and picturesque streets. This will be a great stop for lunch after seeing Stonehenge!
📍 Address: Google Maps

✅ Exeter

As you head further southwest, Exeter is a historic city with a beautiful cathedral and a mix of medieval and modern architecture. The Exeter Quayside offers a pleasant area to stroll along the river. A great little stop to aim for is Dart’s Farm – pick up a few locally grown nibbles and wine for the end destination.
📍 Address: Dart’s Farm (Google Maps)

✅ Plymouth

Maybe because I’m American, when I saw that Plymouth was on the way, I was just a bit “oooo!”. You can explore the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrims departed for America, and enjoy the scenic waterfront.

✅ North Cornwall

If you’re not staying around the north coast, at least make it a stop along the way. A few noteworthy spots are the Tintagel Castle, with myths related to King Arthur, and of course, a cute little restaurant stop nearby, Stein’s Fish & Chips.

It’s a good idea to plan your route in advance and research the attractions, opening hours, and any potential entry requirements. Also, be mindful of travel times between each stop to ensure you have enough time to explore and enjoy your journey.

🚂 By Train (Most Convenient)

Because Cornwall is way out there, there are not a lot of train options, they can be costly, and you do have to plan ahead (and of course buy tickets early).

The train options below are for getting from London to Cornwall, either to the capital of Truro or to Penzance. Cornwall itself has a few other local stations you can navigate to from Penzance and Truro: St Austell, Bodmin Parkway, Newquay, Looe, St Ives, and Falmouth.

➡️ London Paddington to Penzance (PAD to PNZ)

• Time: 5 hrs, 10 min
• Tickets: Great Western Railway Tickets
• Cost: £ 50 (Overnight Sleeper) – £110 (Day Trains)
  • The Night Riviera Sleeper runs between London Paddington and Penzance nightly, except Saturdays. It’s usually the cheapest ticket and the ride takes all night – about 8 hours. It’s great for people who don’t want to waste any time on vacation!

➡️ London Paddington to Truro (PAD to TRU)

• Time: 4 hrs, 20 min
• Tickets: Great Western Railway Tickets
• Cost: £70 – £110

I’ve taken the Great Western Rail from Paddington to Truro, and then connected to the local train, then the ferry to St.Mawes, one of my favorite little spots in Cornwall.

✈️ By Air (Fastest)

Cornwall does have its own little airport, Newquay Airport, which connects to most major London airports.

Direct flights take about 1 hour and 20 minutes and are serviced by RyanAir, British Airways, and Air Lingus. Obviously, the sooner you book the better the price, but you’re looking at about £60- £200.

🚌 By Bus (Cheapest)

Honestly, I don’t recommend this option because it’s a long time on a bus, and there are few direct routes. If I was going to spend the time, I would much rather spend it on a sleeper train car for a little extra cost.

That said, there is an overnight FlixBus that goes from London Victoria Coach Station to Penzance. It costs about £25 and takes 9 hours.

London To Cornwall: FAQs

So now that you know all of the ways to get from London to Cornwall, plus travel tips to guide your planning, here are a few extra frequently asked questions we had when we went.

What is the cheapest way to get from London to Cornwall?

The cheapest way to get from London to Cornwall is by bus.

There is an overnight FlixBus that goes from London Victoria Coach Station to Penzance. It costs about £25 and takes 9 hours.

What is the fastest way to get from London to Cornwall?

The fastest way to get from London to Cornwall is by flying.

Direct flights take about 1 hour and 20 minutes and are serviced by RyanAir, British Airways, and Air Lingus. Obviously, the sooner you book the better the price, but you’re looking at about £60- £200.

What is the distance from London to Cornwall?

The distance from London to Cornwall depends on where you are in London. Generally, from the center of London to Truro, the capital of Cornwall, the distance is about 230 miles (370 km).

It takes about 5 hours by car or train. About 1.5 hours via plane, not including the time you have to be at the airport beforehand. And 8 hours by bus.

Is Cornwall Worth A Day Trip from London?

Cornwall is not a day trip activity, simply because it’s too far from London. The travel time by train or car can take around 5 hours each way, depending on the exact destination and transportation options, leaving no time for exploration.

Cornwall is a fantastic long weekend trip or longer. There are a ton of little seaside villages to explore, historic sites, and restaurants to enjoy for a full vacation.

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Where To Stay in Cornwall

Cornwall is a giant peninsula, and so there are a few places you can home-base yourself in. I spent about a week and spent 3 days in the north and 4 days in the south. Here are my recommendations for where to stay.

Southern Cornwall: St. Mawes

📍 Mid Range: The Rising Sun – We also stayed here for a couple of nights, and I really appreciate the new renovations. This hotel has a bit more of cozy village feel, compared to the Tresanton, which adds a bit more refinement to your stay. I remember liking the traditional English breakfast during my stay!

📍 Luxury: Hotel Tresantan – I loved staying here! Not only was it the most quintessential little boutique hotel, but the on-site restaurant for breakfast and dinner was fantastic. It was still a bit chilly when we visited, so I liked having drinks by their fireplace – the coziest vibe and the sweetest people running the place! Splurge on a room with a view (picture below!)

Northern Cornwall: St. Ives

📍 Mid Range: Seaforth St. Ives – Great for a long weekend, especially as the views are fantastic from the bay windows! This place is also close to a few hiking trails near the cliffsides.

📍 Luxury: Pedn-Olva – Another fantastic seaside spot with views that will have you falling in love with St.Ives.

Conclusion: London To Cornwall

Cornwall is known for its gorgeous coastline, pretty English beaches, charming villages, and rich history. But it can be quite a pain to get anywhere in Cornwall from London.

The best way to get from London to Cornwall is either by car or via train.

It’s ideal to stay at least 3-4 days to fully take advantage of the fact that you’ve just traversed half a day to get to your destination. And trust me, you won’t regret the effort – enjoy!