Isaac Bay in Cornwall with white buildings on top of grassy cliffs and boats underneath on the sea

Cheap Train Tickets to Cornwall

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Cheap Trains to Cornwall

Cornwall is one of the most counties in the UK, well worth visiting any time of the year, though especially during Summer. It is located in the south-west of England, with an Atlantic coast line bordered by Devon. Land's End, famous for its use in the Land's End to John O'Groats route, is situated in Cornwall. There are numerous reasons to visit Cornwall, including its beaches, sub-tropical gardens, the most famous Eden Project, its rich history, and, of course, its afternoon tea.

Cornwall is a rural county. Truro is the only city, but many beautiful towns are worth visiting, including St Ives, St Austell, and Penzance. Each town is full of independent shops and will likely have the perfect place to buy a Cornish pasty. There are plenty of trains to Cornwall, with stations including Penzance, Newquay, and St Ives.

When taking Cornwall trains, there are plenty of great destinations worth visiting. The South West Coast Path offers a lovely walk from Penzance to Marazion; Newquay Zoo provides the opportunity to get close to hundreds of animal species, while in The Lost Gardens of Heligan near St Austell, you will find magical gardens and woodland walks.

We must also mention Cornwall has perhaps the best beaches to visit in the UK, with the one at Newquay being well worth a long visit wherever in the country you travel from. Porthgwidden Beach in St Ives is one you mustn't miss out on, and Carbis Bay Beach is near St Ives, too.

If you are taking Cornwall trains, there are services across the county with routes including the St Ives Bay Line, Looe Valley Line, and Maritime Line. Cornwall trains run regularly from London Paddington and stations across the UK; book early to get cheap train tickets. If you would like to take trains to Cornwall stations in luxury, travel on the Night Riviera sleeper train from London Paddington to Penzance, train times to Cornwall departing from London Paddington are usually just before midnight. Trains from Truro, the main station in Cornwall offer power sockets, free wifi on all services, and a beautiful journey across the UK country.

Read below for tips on finding cheap trains to Cornwall.

Tip 1 If you can, book advance train tickets for cheap train travel
Book your journey early to get the best price on train tickets to Cornwall stations. Most operators release advance tickets up to 12 weeks before you travel. Advance fares are in high demand, especially from London Paddington, so the earlier you can book, the better. If you can't book until the day of travel, advance fares may be available up to one hour before departure if they haven't sold out.
Tip 2 Don't pay extra fees
You will find that some retailers charge fees every time you travel. At Split My Fare, we don't charge booking fees or for using credit cards when you buy tickets. The only additional charge you may have is 10% of any savings we make for you by splitting your fare. So, if there is no split on your journey, there will be no charge.
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Tip 3 Travel during off-peak hours for cheap train tickets to Cornwall
To save money when you buy train tickets to Cornwall, it is best to avoid popular routes and travel at off-peak hours. Prices are based on demand, so avoid weekends and holidays for the most significant savings.
Tip 4 Make sure to get a refund if your train is late
Should there be a delay to your journey to Cornwall, take advantage of Delay Repay. A refund may be available for any delay over 15 minutes, though this depends on the train operator. It is best to ask at the ticket office or check the operator's website.
Tip 5 Make savings on group travel
A group of 3-9 people can save on their train journey using a group save discount. You can get up to 1/3 off your train fare when you book together and travel on the same train at off-peak times. Group travel may involve many paper tickets, especially if we split your fare. Collect with e-tickets and forward them to your group.
Tip 6 Compare the cost of single and return tickets.
It is worth checking the prices of single and return train tickets to make sure you get the most significant savings. Though it seems obvious to get a return fare if you are going on a round trip to Cornwall, buying two single tickets for trains can often cost less. At Split My Fare, we do the hard work to find and sell you the cheapest combination of tickets automatically.
Tip 7 Taking a slower train can save you money
You might be in a hurry to get to your destination. If this is the case, our website allows you to search for the fastest journeys. However, if you are willing to take your time, travelling on a slower train may make your savings; you could find that you have a quiet, more relaxed train ride. If slower trains are cheaper, we will always show you these as an option for you to book.
Tip 8 Look at 1st class options
You could find a first-class fare for your journey at a similar or cheaper price than a Standard fare. The popularity of tickets determines their price; if plenty are remaining, the cost may be lower, making them worth buying. Another benefit of first-class travel is a more relaxed train ride with comfier seats and free food and drink.

Things to do in Cornwall

Food and Drink

You will be spoiled for choice in terms of restaurants and pubs when you visit Cornwall. Gurnard's Head offers great food as well as views, while the North Inn is a great place to grab a drink outside during the Summer.

Shopping

There are a few towns to choose from to do your shopping in Cornwall, with plenty of independent shops to choose from.

Public Transport

There are plenty of options available to get you around Cornwall, whether you hop on a train or bus. Go Cornwall buses run at almost all hours, with a 5 day flex fare particularly handy if you are visiting from Monday - Friday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do trains to Cornwall arrive and depart?

Trains to Cornwall arrive at numerous stations in Cornwall, including Penzance, Truro, St Austell, and Bodmin Parkway. Trains to Cornwall from London depart from London Paddington.

Which train companies run trains to Cornwall?

Great Western Railway runs most trains to Cornwall, though CrossCountry also runs services on the Cornish Main Line.

Are trains running to Cornwall?

Trains run to Cornwall on every day of the year except the bank holidays of Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Can I use my Railcard to save up to 1/3 on my trip to Cornwall?

You can use your Railcard to save up to 1/3 on your trip to Cornwall. Railcards include the 16-25 Railcard, Senior Railcard, and Network Railcard.