Where can I go in Cornwall without a car?

6 places to visit in Cornwall without using your car
  • Penzance. How to get there? The most glamorous way is to book at a cabin on the sleeper from Paddington. ...
  • Carbis Bay. How to get there? ...
  • Kingsand, Cawsand and Rame. How to get there? ...
  • Newquay. How to get there? ...
  • Falmouth. How to get there? ...
  • Isles of Scilly. How to get there?




You can visit several major parts of Cornwall without a car in 2026, as the region's branch rail lines and "Atlantic Coaster" buses serve the most popular hubs. St Ives is perhaps the easiest destination, reached by a scenic branch line from St Erth. Falmouth is another excellent car-free base, offering great rail connections to Truro and ferries to St Mawes. Newquay has its own airport and train station, making its famous surfing beaches very accessible. For dramatic scenery, you can take a bus from Penzance to Land's End or the Minack Theatre. Looe and Polperro are also easily reached via the Looe Valley Line and local shuttles. While deep rural areas remain difficult to reach, the "Good Journey" initiative in 2026 provides extensive guides for exploring Cornish castles, gardens, and coastal paths entirely via public transport, cycling, or walking.

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With the road network dominated by cute country roads, trains are your best bet for getting around the region. And you can travel in style, thanks to the Bodmin and Wenford Railway, a steam-powered heritage railway that makes a 13-mile round trip across the lavish Cornish countryside.

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Open top coaster services. Cornwall's open top coaster services run in several coastal areas, linking popular towns, beaches and attractions across the county, allowing visitors get around the country without the need of a car and soak up the scenery as they go.

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We'd recommend visiting Cornwall for at least three days, such as over a long weekend. However, a better amount of time would be around a week which would give you more time to see more of Cornwall's highlights.

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Once in Cornwall, there's a great rail network for getting around the county, perfect for those car-free breaks.

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For all their popularity, Cornish seaside resorts rank among the most expensive British holiday destinations. Falmouth, Newquay and Bude are notably pricy, but it will come as little surprise to learn that it's St Ives that comes out as the costliest place in the county for a summer holiday.

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There are local bus routes, including open top buses and scenic routes and St Ives ebikes are becoming a popular choice for visitors looking to take a trip further afield.

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How to visit Cornwall on a budget
  1. Accommodation doesn't have to break the bank. What's more, by staying in a Cornwall holiday park with camping, you'll also be keeping costs to a minimum. ...
  2. Agree a budget. ...
  3. Prepare an itinerary. ...
  4. Utilise the free things to do. ...
  5. Keep spending money on food to a minimum.


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We look after miles of coast and footpaths for walking around Cornwall. Circular walks taking in the South West Coast Path are popular for good reason – but you'll be rewarded if you head inland too, with hilltop views and peaceful parkland.

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Penzance. One of the main towns of Cornwall – famed for pirates – the sheltered bay of Penzance is a dreamy base with all the amenities (and pubs) you could wish for, including pretty gardens, history and galleries. For a quirky and historic stay, consider making 'The Chocolate House'your Cornwall base.

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We'd recommend visiting Cornwall for at least three days, such as over a long weekend. However, a better amount of time would be around a week which would give you more time to see more of Cornwall's highlights.

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Exploring beyond St Ives is best done by car but parking spaces in town fill up quickly so a Park-and-Ride system operates during busy holiday months. Although there is no better way to enjoy the stunning coastline than onboard the St Ives branch line railway as it hugs the bay providing breathtaking views of the sea.

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The Maritime Line From the cathedral city of Truro – home to the Royal Cornwall Museum and Lemon Street's splendid Georgian architecture – take the train to Falmouth and visit its excellent beaches, public gardens, picturesque shopping streets and magnificent natural harbour.

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June to August is the best time to visit Cornwall for its idyllic beaches. This is also the best time for families as many of the most popular beaches and surfing beaches are patrolled by lifeguards. The weather in Cornwall in summer is fantastic and the county sees higher average temperatures than the rest of the UK.

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Cornwall is fine. Just go slow and be prepared to back up. If you come to a passing place, slow down and see if anything is coming so you can pull in easily. A lot of the roads are fine but there are definitely some narrow bits.

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Beyond Cornwall's beautiful coastline is a rich inland history of mining, china clay and agriculture. Far back in the 18th century, Cornwall was the mining centre of the world, famous for its base metal and tin production, and the Cornish were known as the best miners in the world.

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