Getting Around

Here you will find all information you need to know about Getting Around Newquay and Cornwall.

By Bus & Coach

Cornwall is served by several bus companies but Newquay is mainly covered by FirstKernow. The website TravelineSW has bus timetables for most operators. There is a ‘plan your journey’ option that allows you to put in your ‘from’ and ‘to’ journey location.

Newquay is on the north coast of Cornwall and direct bus services run to Truro, Padstow, St Austell and St Austell. There are several Truro buses with different routes taking different durations. The Padstow bus follows the scenic coast road and passes through several picturesque villages and locations. The service normally runs a double decker bus and the top deck makes for scenic views.  The Eden project currently requires you to change at St Austell. As a rough guide, most buses to destinations further than 15miles (22km) will involve changes; for example  Newquay to St Ives or Falmouth involves changing at Truro.

In some case the National Express service may be a better option for your journey being quicker or more direct. Unfortunately they may only run once or twice a day. They can be worth considering for trips to St Ives or Plymouth from Newquay.

By Rail

Newquay is on its own branch line, the Par to Newquay Atlantic Coast Line.  Par is the connection to the Plymouth to Penzance main line and is just outside St Austell, on the Cornish south coast. The Plymouth to Penzance mainline then connects country wide. The railway station is located in the heart of the town on Cliff Road. The train station is seasonally manned. The station does not have a automated ticket machine so when the ticket office is not open tickets can be bought either on the train or online.

Branch lines from the Plymouth/Penzance main line also serve St Ives, Falmouth and Looe. St Ives can get  particularly busy for traffic in the Summer so the ‘Park and Ride, 5 miles out of St Ives at Lelant Saltings, is a good option. Bus connections put other areas and attractions in Cornwall within easy reach. A good way to match up rail and bus services is the travel website TravelineSW which allows you to choose you ‘plan you journey’ by entering your ‘from’ and ‘to’ locations and all transport options will be listed.

Once in Newquay the Devon and Cornwall Partnership is a great way to explore the rest of Cornwall and other spectacular railway branch lines. The Partnership works on five branch lines in Cornwall:

• Plymouth – Gunnislake : The Tamar Valley Line
• Liskeard – Looe : The Looe Valley Line
• Par – Newquay: The Atlantic Coast Line
• Truro - Falmouth: The Maritime Line
• Penzance - St Ives: The St Ives Bay Line

Click here for more information on Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership

Day Trips and Private Tours

MMT Tours (Magical Mystery Tours) run day trips throughout the summer to a number of picturesque towns and villages including Port Isaac - home of Doc Martin, St Ives, Looe, Padstow, and Polperro and many more. Because of the recent popularity of the BBC's Poldark series MMT tours is also running a tour featuring locations used in the series. Tours require booking in advance and normally cost £25.00 per person. They can be booked at the Visit Newquay Tourist information Centre or direct by phone. The trips usually leave Newquay at 9.30am and return 5.30pm - depending on traffic.

Car Hire

Rhino Car Hire Cars are available from Newquay Airport - Rhino are able to offer discounted rates from the main suppliers and can find visitors to Newquay and Cornwall the best available deals on car hire. For reservations please call: 0845 5089845

Taxi, Minibus or Coach Hire

There are numerous taxi firms in Newquay - please be aware that taxis can not be hailed in the street, journeys must be pre booked or on a taxi rank. The distance between Newquay Cornwall Airport and Newquay Town Centre is about 6 miles, and takes approximately 15 minutes by taxi. Expect to pay about £15 - £20, 7am - 11pm.

Taxi Companies that operate from Newquay

A 2 B - Click here for more information

Coastline Travel Cornwall - Click here for more information

Finesse Chauffeurs - Click here for more information

Trenance Cars and Executive Car Hire - Click here for more information