5 Best Ways to Get From London to Cornwall (2024) 

Cornwall is the place to go if you are looking for a weekend getaway from London.

Cornwall is known for its beautiful beaches, stunning coastline and excellent locally produced food and drink (Cornish pasty or clotted cream, anyone?)

The best part, it is easy to get to Cornwall from London.

5 Best ways to get from London to Cornwall

1. Take a tour
2. Fly
3. Drive
4. Train
5. Coach

Ready? Let’s dive into the journey from London to Cornwall.

Where is Cornwall?

In the United Kingdom, Cornwall is located in the South West of England, on a peninsular that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. 

Cornwall is also the location of Land’s End, the most southerly point in Great Britain. 

London to Cornwall Distance

The distance from London to Cornwall is 280 miles (450 kilometers).

The drive from London to Cornwall takes 4 and a half hours.

The flight from London to Cornwall takes 3 – 5 hours depending on the airport.

The train from London to Cornwall takes around 5 hours.

The coach from London takes about 8 hours.

1. London to Cornwall Tour

A small group tour is excellent if you want a stress-free way of visiting Cornwall from London.

Various companies offer tours from London to Cornwall, and they will all organize your transportation, places to stay, and things to do.

Taking a tour will remove the hassle of renting a car, deciding where to go, what to eat and paying parking fees in every village.

I recommend this 5-day Devon and Cornwall small group tour from London to make the most of your trip.

The luxury Mercedes minivan you will be travelling in seats 16 passengers so you know you will be in a small group for a more personalised experience. 

On the tour you can tick off some big English bucket list items such as Stonehenge, Exeter, Dartmoor Castles, Land’s End some of the prettiest villages in England and how King Arthur is connected to the world-famous Glastonbury festival.

Try some delicious scones in St Ives and get blown away (literally) at Land’s End. 

Enjoy four nights in three-star B&Bs or hotels (the choice is yours), including a delicious breakfast each morning.

You will have plenty of time at each stop to explore and learn about the history from your knowledgeable guide.

But, if you don’t feel like a packed schedule feel free to sit back and relax in a cafe or by the seaside.

🚌 Book your 5-day Devon and Cornwall small group tour from London

2. London to Cornwall Flight

Perhaps not the most common way to travel from London to Cornwall is to fly.

Flights are available to Cornwall from Stansted, Heathrow, London City, and London Gatwick. 

All flights, except for London Gatwick airport, have a stopover in Dublin.

The flight from Gatwick airport flies straight from London to Newquay airport and takes just over one hour.

Newquay is located in the most northern part of Cornwall and is a beautiful seaside town.

London to Cornwall flight time can be anywhere from one hour to seven hours, depending on your stopover. 

Most airports have flights that depart daily for Cornwall. 

How much is the flight from London to Cornwall?

Flying from London to Cornwall is costly and will cost around $80 to $300 each way. 

The flight from London Gatwick to Cornwall is the cheapest option and will set you back around $100 each way.

3. London to Cornwall Drive

The most flexible way to reach Cornwall is on a road trip. 

When you reach Cornwall, the easiest way to get around is to drive, so you may hire a car in London and see some beautiful places along the way. 

How many hours drive from London to Cornwall?

When you put London to Cornwall into Google Maps you will be given 3 options, with the “middle” route as the best option. This route will take around 5 hours (not including stops).

The best route from London to Cornwall will take just over 6 hours (without stops) and will take you via South Hampton.

Although this is the longest route you will not regret it! It is so worth it!

This route will take you along the coast and some of the most beautiful towns in Southern England such as Devon, Dorset and Hampshire.

Car Hire for a London to Cornwall Trip

If you are heading from London to Cornwall by car and you still need to rent a car. I highly recommend Discovercars. 

Discovercars is a search engine that will include all top brands such as Budget and Avis and local companies to find you the best deal.

🚗 Check deals with DiscoverCars now

Best Route from London to Cornwall: 10 best places to stop

You will want to stop off at the spots below along the coastal route from London to Cornwall. 

It took us most of the day to complete your Southern English road trip, so allow plenty of time.

Stop 1: Winchester

Your first stop will be around 90 minutes after leaving London. Winchester is a beautiful city, one of England’s best places to live.

You don’t require a lot of time to explore the historic area of Winchester but make sure you stop by the Winchester Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic Cathedrals in Western Europe.

If you’re like me and want to see all the filming locations of Harry Potter you need to visit Winchester College which was used as Hogwarts.

Stop 2: New Forest National Park

New Forest National Park is 2 hours from London and part of the drive from London to Cornwall. 

Although, you will want to detour slightly off the motorway to Cadnam, once the most beautiful place to live in England. Cadnam is filled with stunning Tudor style houses which are a must see.

The New Forest National Park is also famous for its wild New Forest ponies. If you’re lucky you will see some as you drive through the Forest. Otherwise, take a break and a stroll through the forest to see if you can spot them.

Stop 3: Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove

The next stop on the road trip is Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove in Dorset.

You will want to exit the A35 at Bere Regis and head for Lulworth Cove. 

The Lulworth Cove to Durdle Walk along the Jurassic Coast is a great way to break up your drive. 

It is a leisurely walk and a 2-mile round trip. Make sure you spend time at both beaches to soak in the views. 

If you prefer only to walk one way you can take the X45 bus back to Lulworth Cove.

Stop 4: West Bay

Head West towards West Bay and Birdport. These two beaches have been rated among Dorset’s top things to do.

West Bay is a small harbour and resort town on the English Channel in Dorset. It is also one of the dramatic parts of the Jurrasic Coast.

Birdport is a vibrant market town with a unique antique quarter and an eclectic mix of independent music shops, cafes and restaurants that give the town a welcoming atmosphere.

Stop 5: Lyme Regis

Next up is Lyme Regis; if you’re like us, you could easily while away day in Lyme Regis. There are plenty of things to do including exploring the harbour and the cute shops. 

This is the perfect place to enjoy lunch and wander the streets.

Stop 6: Exmouth

As you leave Dorset you will arrive in Devon and there are many places to visit in Dorset. 

However, they were more of a detour and we needed more light (and time).

Exmouth is a great place to access from the motorway and a popular seaside resort town. Exmouth is also the end of the Jurassic Coast.

Exmouth is one of the oldest and most popular seaside towns in Devon. There are plenty of picturesque walking and cycling routes so you may stop here for the night.

Stop 7: Dartmoor National Park

The route we took from London to Cornwall had us drive across the top of Dartmoor National Park but if you would like to explore the National Park it is 20 minutes from the main road into the middle of the National Park.

The National Park has plenty of wildlife, deep valleys, open moorlands and a rich history.

Oh, and Dartmoor Ponies!

Stop 8: Launceston

Launceston is on the “border” of Cornwall and Devon, the ancient capital city. A highlight of Launceston is the old city gates and the ruins of the Castle.

There are plenty of shops to explore and some beautiful walks nearby.

On your return journey from Cornwall to London you should consider taking M5 and M4 as you can stop off in the Cotswolds on your way back to London.

On your way back to London you might want to stop in at Glastonbury home to the famous Glastonbury festival, Cheddar gorge (this is a unique place to visit and home to cheddar cheese), Castle combe in the Cotswolds and Windsor as you arrive back in London.

4. London to Cornwall Train

The high-speed train service from London to Cornwall train time is just under 5 hours on the high-speed service.

Direct trains on this route are available daily and do not require you to make any train changes.

The train journeys will have you board a Great Western Railway train at London Paddington Station.

The trains are very comfortable and have convenient charging points and free WiFi to entertain you. That is if you can peel your eyes away from the stunning scenery outside.

Along the way, you will see the outskirts of London and the beautiful views of South West England.

Great Western Railway also offers first class carriages where you will enjoy more legroom, reclining seats and complimentary food and drink. 

First Class passengers also have access to the First Class Lounge at Paddington station, which includes drinks, snacks, WiFi, outlets and TV.

Once you have reached Cornwall you can disembark the train at Newquay, Penzance, Truro, St Ives, St Austell, Bodmin Parkway and Falmouth.

Night Riviera Sleeper Train

If you are short on time and don’t mind sleeping on a train, why don’t you take the London to Cornwall sleeper train? 

The Night Riviera train runs from London Paddington Station to several stations in Cornwall.

It is a unique experience that takes 8 hours during the week and 9 hours on the Sunday service. 

When purchasing your tickets you have a few options from your standard recliner seat to a double-berth sleeper. 

How much is a train from London to Cornwall?

The London to Cornwall train standard tickets start at £39.40 and First Class tickets begin at £93.90.

If you would like to take the night train London to Cornwall you will be looking to pay anywhere from £25.50 to £135, depending on the type of seat/berth you choose.

🚂 Click to book your London to Cornwall train tickets here

5. London to Cornwall Bus

The London to Cornwall coach departs Victoria Coach station in central London with National Express.

London Victoria Coach station is 300m from the tube, which the Victoria Line and the Circle and District Line service.

Coaches to Cornwall from London depart daily from 8:30 am until 11 pm.

The quickest route takes 7 hours and makes 8 stops.

On each bus you will find reclining seats, WiFi and toilets to make your journey more comfortable. 

Pack plenty of snacks, earphones, ear plugs, entertainment and eye masks.

How much is a bus from London to Cornwall?

National Express coaches start at £18.30. The earlier you book, the cheaper the tickets are and they can sell out especially in the summer months. 

All tickets will attract a £1 booking fee unless you are logged into your National Express account.

🚌 Click here to book your London to Cornwall Bus tickets

Best places to visit in Cornwall

There is a lot to see in Cornwall and you will want to spend at least three nights in Cornwall. We have visited Cornwall twice and both times we have based ourselves in New Quay which we found was a great place to stay.

Some places you will want to make sure you visit in Cornwall are:

FAQs: How do I get from London to Cornwall?

Final Thoughts: The best way to get from London to Cornwall

London to Cornwall is a journey worth taking. Whether you take the train or drive, you’ll find some of England’s most beautiful places.

With its stunning views and vibrant villages, there’s something for everyone in Cornwall – from relaxing beaches to beautiful coastal walks.

Plan enough time for your trip to experience all this fantastic destination has to offer!

If you plan it right, a few days will be enough, but why not turn it into a complete week-long getaway?

There’s no better way to explore this unique corner of England than by exploring every inch of it with an open heart and mind.

So what are you waiting for? 

Pack your bags and go on an unforgettable adventure from London to Cornwall today!

Would you like help planning your London to Cornwall vacation? Check out the Travelling Thirties Personal Travel Planning Services.