By bus. There are almost 100 bus routes crisscrossing Cornwall, so whether you're planning a day at the beach, heading to one of the county's visitor attractions or wanting to explore some of the county's more remote areas, getting around by bus is easy.

Yes, you can explore Cornwall without a car, but it requires a "slow travel" mindset and careful planning. The main railway line (the Great Western Railway) runs through the spine of the county, stopping at major hubs like Penzance, Truro, and Bodmin. From these stations, several scenic "branch lines" lead to popular coastal destinations like St Ives, Falmouth, and Newquay. For locations not served by trains, the "Go Cornwall" bus network is surprisingly extensive, though services to remote coves or tiny villages can be infrequent, sometimes running only once or twice a day. In 2026, the "Cornwall Ranger" ticket is an excellent value, offering unlimited travel on both trains and buses across the region. Walking is also a major part of the car-free experience, as the South West Coast Path allows you to hike between famous landmarks like Land's End and Sennen Cove. While you won't be able to "see it all" in a single weekend without a car, a car-free trip allows you to bypass Cornwall's notoriously narrow lanes and summer traffic jams, offering a much more relaxing and environmentally friendly experience.