You don’t need a car for THESE Cornwall itineraries
Cornwall may be best visited with a car, but it’s certainly not the only way to see the region.
If you don’t drive or just don’t fancy the long trip on the M5 and A30, getting to and around Cornwall by public transport is very much possible!
You just need to plan your trip wisely. Gorgeous as North Cornwall is, I would only recommend a public transport trip if you have plenty of time to wait for buses (it once took me three hours to travel from Tintagel to Port Isaac, which are only 8 miles apart – yes, I realised while writing this that walking would have been quicker!).
However, below I’ve put together five itineraries of places to visit in Cornwall without a car – destinations that are on a train line and have decent local train and bus links – and information about all of them!
🚶♀️1. West Cornwall without a car: St Ives + Land’s End Peninsula
Base: St Ives
Best for: Coast path walking, heritage sites, dramatic scenery, tin mining history
Rail access: St Ives is reached by a short scenic branch line from St Erth, which is on the main GWR route to Penzance.
What to do without a car:
🖼 Explore St Ives on foot
Spend your first day around St Ives itself — walk between Porthminster, Porthmeor, and the smaller coves, visit the Tate St Ives, and walk up to Clodgy Point on the South West Coast Path.
See the best things to do in St Ives here.
🚌 Day trip 1: Land’s End and Sennen Cove
Take the Land’s End Coaster Bus to Sennen Cove. You can walk the coast path from Sennen to Land’s End – this is a short but rewarding route with wide views and good chances of seeing seabirds and seals. From Land’s End, you can either return by bus or walk further to Nanjizal and pick up a later stop.
🚌 Day trip 2: Porthcurno and the Minack Theatre
Take the same Coaster to Porthcurno. The bus stop is near the beach and the Minack Theatre, which is a clifftop amphitheatre carved into the rock. Check performance times or just visit for the views.
🚌 Day trip 3: Geevor Tin Mine and St Just
Take the same bus to Geevor Tin Mine – a UNESCO-listed site with underground tours, exhibitions, and cliffside views.
From here, take the bus onward to St Just, a small town with mining history and a few independent cafés. Return the same way or do a linear walk to Cape Cornwall and pick up a later bus.
🥾 Optional walk: St Ives to Zennor (6.5 miles)
Take the South West Coast Path west out of St Ives, over rugged granite cliffs to Zennor. It’s a challenging but scenic walk.
Return by the 16A bus from Zennor Church back to St Ives.
Practical tips:
- Rail: Buy an off-peak return to St Ives — it includes the scenic branch line from St Erth.
- Bus passes: A Ride Cornwall day pass (£21 adults) covers trains (after 9am) and all First Kernow buses.
- Frequency: Buses are seasonal – Coasters run roughly hourly in summer but drop to every 2–3 hours in spring/autumn.
- Staying longer? Consider a day trip to Penzance – from here you can connect to Mousehole or Marazion. See more things to do in Penzance here.
🏖️2. North Cornwall without a car: Newquay + surrounding beaches
Base: Newquay
Best for: Surf beaches, cliff walks, beach towns, low-effort coastal days
Rail access: Newquay is on a branch line via Par.
What to do without a car:
🏄♀️ Explore Newquay
Start with a walk across Fistral Beach, visit the Huer’s Hut (a stone lookout above the sea), and head up to Pentire Head for a breezy loop back via Crantock (if the Gannel River crossing is open).
See more things to do in Newquay here.
🚌 Day trip 1: Padstow via the Atlantic Coaster
Catch the Atlantic Coaster from Newquay to Padstow. It’s a scenic ride along the cliffs, stopping at Watergate Bay and Mawgan Porth. In Padstow, walk the harbour, visit the Lobster Hatchery or do a short section of the Camel Trail. Return the same way.
🚌 Day trip 2: Mawgan Porth + short walk
Take the same 56 bus to Mawgan Porth, a wide, sandy beach backed by cliffs. From here, walk the coast path towards Bedruthan Steps. This is one of the most beautiful sections of the Cornish coast path! Note: you cannot descend to the beach as it’s permanently closed. It’s beautiful to look at from above, however!
🚌 Day trip 3: Perranporth
Catch the 87 to Perranporth – this is one of Cornwall’s best long beaches, with caves, tidal pools and beach cafés. Walk north over Cligga Head for mining remnants and wildflowers, or south to Holywell Bay if you’re feeling energetic!
See more things to do in Perranporth here.
Practical tips:
- Check rail timings carefully: The Par–Newquay branch is slow and infrequent. If arriving by rail, try to time your arrival for a direct transfer.
- Airport: Newquay has its own airport, and there are connections between the terminal and the town via bus.
- Stay central: Look for accommodation near the station or Great Western Beach for easiest access to public transport.
🌿 3. South Cornwall without a car: Falmouth + Helford
Base: Falmouth
Best for: Gardens, ferries, coastal walks, maritime history
Rail access: Falmouth is reached via the Maritime Line, a scenic 25-minute train from Truro. There are three stations in town: Penmere, Falmouth Town, and Falmouth Docks.
What to do without a car:
🚶♀️ Explore Falmouth on foot
Wander the harbourside, explore Pendennis Castle, and stop into the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. Grab food from the quay area or detour to Gyllyngvase Beach for sea views and café stops.
See more things to do in Falmouth here.
⛴️ Ferry to St Mawes
Catch the St Mawes Ferry from Falmouth Prince of Wales Pier. It’s a 20-minute scenic crossing across the Fal Estuary. Once in St Mawes, walk to St Mawes Castle, follow the coast path east toward St Just-in-Roseland, or just enjoy the harbourfront pubs and galleries. Ferries run roughly every hour, year-round (weather dependent).
🚌 Bus to Trebah and Glendurgan gardens
Catch the 63 bus (First Kernow) from Falmouth Moor to Mawnan Smith. Get off at the stops for Trebah Garden or Glendurgan Garden — two of Cornwall’s finest subtropical gardens, both with walking paths down to the Helford River.
🚶♀️ Helford Passage walks
From the gardens, walk down to Helford Passage and relax by the water at the Ferryboat Inn. In summer, you can cross the river via the Helford foot ferry and continue walking inland to Manaccan or the coast path to Frenchman’s Creek.
🌿 Trelissick Garden
From Falmouth, take the Falmouth – Malpas Ferry to Trelissick — a National Trust garden with sweeping estuary views.
🦭 Gweek Seal Sanctuary
Hop on the 35A bus to Gweek and visit the seal sanctuary – a wonderful Cornish charity that protects orphaned and injured seals. Your visit helps them fundraise!
Practical tips:
- Bus routes: The 35/35A/35B serve the Helford area, but service is limited on Sundays.
- Gardens: Trebah is open year-round, Glendurgan is National Trust and seasonal.
- Stay central: For easiest access to buses and ferries, aim to stay near The Moor or Prince of Wales Pier.
⚓ 4. Heritage coast without a car: Looe + Polperro
Base: Looe
Best for: Fishing villages, coastal walks, easy pace, scenic train journeys
Rail access: Looe is reached via the Looe Valley Line — a short, picturesque branch from Liskeard that runs beside the river and wooded creeks.
What to do without a car:
🚶♀️ Explore Looe
Split across East and West Looe, this is a proper Cornish harbour town with working fishing boats, small arcades, and independent shops. Walk to Hannafore Point for sea views or take a guided tour of the Old Guildhall Museum.
See all things to do in Looe here.
🚌 Day trip to Polperro
Catch the 10, 481 or 73 bus from Looe to Polperro – a small, quaint village with smuggling connections. Walk the narrow lanes past fishermen’s cottages to the small harbour and Polperro Heritage Museum. Allow time to stop at one of the pubs or cafés on the edge of the quay.
See more things to do in Polperro here.
🥾 Coast path between Looe and Polperro
If you’re up for a half-day hike, walk one way (5.5 miles) along the South West Coast Path. It’s undulating but scenic, with views of smugglers’ coves and sea arches. You can walk Looe → Polperro, spend time in the village, then catch the bus back.
🚂 Looe Valley Line walk: Looe to Liskeard
For a quieter countryside day, take the train up to Causeland or Sandplace, then follow the river back to Looe on foot. The path follows wooded banks, crosses footbridges, and offers glimpses of herons and egrets.
📚Visit Liskeard
Hop on the train to Liskeard, where you’ll find a historic market town with a proper high street, town museum, and walking trails up onto the edge of Bodmin Moor.
Practical tips:
- Train frequency: The Looe Valley Line runs roughly every 1–2 hours during the day.
- Bus stops: Buses in town depart from Looe Fire Station.
- Accessibility: Looe’s terrain is easier than many Cornish towns — flatter, and with more public toilets and benches.
- Stay central: Accommodations in East Looe give quicker access to the harbour, but West Looe is quieter.
🚉 5. Central Cornwall without a car: Truro as your base
Base: Truro
Best for: Flexible day trips, rail access, market town atmosphere, short breaks
Rail access: Truro is a main stop on the GWR main line between London Paddington and Penzance, with branch lines to Falmouth and Newquay.
What to do without a car:
🕍 Explore Truro on foot
Start with a walk through the city centre — Truro is Cornwall’s only city, and its compact centre includes the Cathedral, Royal Cornwall Museum, independent shops, cafés, and the Pannier Market. Walk along the river toward Boscawen Park if you want green space close to town.
See more things to do in Falmouth here.
🚆 Day trip 1: Falmouth by train (Maritime Line)
The branch line to Falmouth is frequent and scenic — passing wooded creeks and glimpses of the River Fal.
Journey time: ~25 minutes
What to do: Walk the harbour, visit Pendennis Castle, the Maritime Museum, or take a ferry to St Mawes. Great food options in town and beach access at Gyllyngvase
🚌 Day trip 2: Perranporth Beach
In summer, bus route 87 runs directly from Truro to Perranporth, home to one of Cornwall’s best beaches.
Journey time: ~45 minutes
What to do: Swim or surf, explore rock pools, and walk north to Cligga Head or south towards Holywell Bay if you want coast path time. At low tide, the beach feels endless.
🚆 Day trip 3: St Ives via St Erth
Catch the mainline train west to St Erth, then transfer to the scenic branch line to St Ives.
Total journey time: ~1h 30min
What to do: Wander through town, take the cliff path to Clodgy Point, visit the Tate, or just beach-hop between Porthminster, Porthmeor, and Harbour Beach.
🚆 Day trip 4: Charlestown/ Fowey via St Austell/ Par
Head east on the mainline to St Austell or Par, then change to the 25 bus to Charlestown. Hop back on this bus to reach Fowey and return via Par.
Total journey time: ~1h 50min
What to do: Explore Charlestown UNESCO harbour, enjoy the laidback beaches of Fowey
See things to do in Fowey here and things to do in Charlestown here.
Practical tips:
- Train passes: A Ride Cornwall day ticket (£21) covers all buses and trains after 9am, making it ideal for multi-stop days.
- Where to stay: Central Truro (near the station or the cathedral) is best for access to both buses and trains.
- Food: Truro has good evening dining, unlike some beach towns — useful if you’re doing day trips and returning for dinner.
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