Are you looking for ways how to get from London to St Ives in Cornwall? You are on the right page. I have been to the beautiful Cornish town of St. Ives. Even if it feels like it is been tucked away at the furthest end of Cornwall, almost at the edge of England, I must say that it is absolutely stunning and worth the visit.
You can reach St Ives from London by train, flight, coach, tour and car. The road distance between London and St Ives is 491.1 kilometres or 305.2 miles while the direct distance is 400 kilometres or 250 miles. It takes about 5 hours and 46 minutes to travel this distance by car.
Whether you are a solo traveller, a group of friends or a complete family travelling to St Ives, this famous destination in Cornwall has something for everyone. A big advantage – is it is well-connected to London!
Ready to get enchanted by this artistic seaside town? Let’s look at all your options to go from London to St Ives in Cornwall.
How to get from London to St Ives (Cornwall, UK)
OPTION 1: How to get from London to St Ives by Train
- Travel Duration: about 5 hours 21 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £68
Riding a train from London to St Ives is arguably the most popular way to travel between the two destinations.
The train departs from London Paddington Station and arrives at St Ives Station. The travel is not direct as it would require one to two changes along the way. The switch happens in Plymouth and/or St Erth.
Here is a sample timetable of the train rides:
Train from London Paddington to St Ives
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest and fastest trip | 6:37 am | 11:58 am | 5 hours 21 minutes | £90 |
| Latest trip | 11:45 pm | 8:03 am | 8 hours 18 minutes | £79 |
| Cheapest trip | 1:04 pm | 7:01 pm | 5 hours 57 minutes | £68 |
Great Western Railway services this route. They have daily trips that you can conveniently book via Omio or Trainline. Make sure to secure a ticket in advance so you get the best deals.
BEST TRAIN DEALS!
If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to the UK, I recommend checking Omio. They are a one-stop shop for trains and other transportation that suit your budget and schedule.
OPTION 2: How to get from London to St Ives by Flight
- Travel Duration: about 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £25.90
You can fly from London to St Ives, but not directly. This option does not exactly benefit those who are in a hurry to get to St Ives because the transfers might consume the same energy and time as the other options.
Still, consider flying from London because with good planning, you can easily score a one-way direct flight ticket for the price of £20!
Ryanair and Eastern Airways travel from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and London Stansted Airport (STN). All flights arrive at Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY) which is relatively near St Ives.
From the airport, you have the following options:
- Take a taxi which costs at least £75. The ride is at least one hour long.
- Ride the train from Newquay to St Ives. The three-hour ride costs £12.60.
- Take the coach from Newquay to Hayle. The one-hour ride costs £5.90.
BEST FLIGHT DEALS!
I love good flight deals! If you are looking for the best airline fares for your vacation, I recommend searching for the latest deals on Skyscanner. They will show the best comparison flight deals between airlines that will suit your budget and schedule.
OPTION 3: How to get from London to St Ives by Coach
- Travel Duration: about 8 hours and 32 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £44.60
There is no direct coach trip from London to St Ives, but you can take one that’s going to Hayle. From there, St Ives is quite near already.
Here is a summary of the coach schedule from London to Hayle:
Coach from London Victoria Coach Station to Hayle
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 10:30 am | 7:45 pm | 9 hours and 15 minutes | £30.60 |
| Cheapest trip | 8:00 pm | 6:42 am | 10 hours and 42 minutes | £29.60 |
| Latest and fastest trip | 10:30 pm | 6:50 am | 8 hours and 20 minutes | £30.60 |
From Hayle, you can take a taxi which will cost you about £15, depending which part of St Ives you need to go. You’ll reach your destination in approximately 12 minutes.
BEST COACH / BUS DEALS!
If you are planning to travel via coach or bus for your upcoming UK trip, I recommend searching for the best coach or bus fare deals with Trainline. They have a great network of coach or bus services across the four corners of the United Kingdom.
OPTION 4: How to get from London to St Ives by Tour
- Travel Duration: 5 days
- Travel Fare: from £665
Fancy making your trip to St Ives even more worthwhile? Consider joining a tour that will take you not only to this popular UK destination but also to other top spots like Exeter, Port Isaac, and Falmouth.
Get Your Guide makes sure you don’t miss out on any of Devon and Cornwall’s most recommended activities by plotting this full 5-day itinerary, starting from London Victoria Station and purposefully including must-visit sites such as the Stonehenge, Tintagel Castle, Saint Michael’s Mount and Land’s End.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST RECOMMENDED TOURS IN GET YOUR GUIDE:
OPTION 5: How to get from London to St Ives by Car
- Travel Duration: 5 hours and 44 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £58.44
Fancy doing the driving yourself? You can bring your car or book a rental car on your trip to St Ives from London.
The cost to rent a car in London starts at £58.44. You can get incredible deals at Discover Cars, my go-to website when I need a rental car during my travels.
I have written a useful UK driving tips for tourists, for those who would like to drive in and beyond London during their stay.
To reach St Ives from London by car, drive for 305.2 miles via M4, M5 and A30.
BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!
If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.
More About St Ives, Cornwall, UK:
- I have all the best things to do in St Ives, including a visit to the Tate St. Ives Museum, a taste of Tarquin’s Cornish gin and a tour of numerous art galleries.
- Enjoying the Cornwall seaside means visiting the town of St Ives! It is definitely one of the best things to do when you’re in Cornwall.
- Since you are already in Cornwall, it is a must to visit the famous Eden Project: Unique Dome Greenhouse Attraction in Cornwall.
- Before heading to St. Ives, you can swing by and visit Newquay. You check this transport guide from London to Newquay.
Map of St Ives, Cornwall, UK:
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
FAQs on How to Get from London to St. Ives (Cornwall, UK)
How do I get from London to St Ives Cornwall?
You can get from London to St Ives Cornwall by train, flight, coach, tour or car.
What London station goes to St Ives?
In London, the train departs from London Paddington Station.
Is there a direct train from London to St Ives Cornwall?
No, there is no direct train from London to St Ives. The switch happens in Plymouth and/or St Erth.
Does St Ives have a train station?
Yes, St Ives has a train station bearing the same name.
Can I get from London to St Ives by car?
Yes. you can get from London to St Ives by car. It takes about 5 hours and 44 minutes to drive between the two destinations.
What is the fastest way to get from London to St Ives?
The fastest way to get from London to St Ives is by train. It takes you about 5 hours and 21 minutes to reach St Ives from London Paddington Station.
What is the cheapest way to get from London to St Ives?
The cheapest way to get from London to St Ives is by flight. If you book in advance, you can score tickets for as low as £20!
What is the best way to get from London to St Ives?
The best way to get from London to St Ives is by riding a train. It is as fast as it is convenient. If you are looking for the best value for money, I suggest you go for a tour.
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for my UK trip?
YES – If you’re traveling to the UK, securing travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage is essential for your peace of mind; I recommend Safety Wing Travel Insurance, which is renowned for its reliability. (READ MORE)
💧 Can I drink tap water in the UK?
YES – You can confidently drink tap water in the UK—just run it for a bit first—and use a Hydro Flask travel bottle, it is a great eco-friendly companion to keep you hydrated while touring the UK attractions.
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in the UK?
YES – Renting a car in the UK is one of the best ways to see the country. I recommend Discover Cars, to check for the best car rental deals that suit your budget. See my UK driving tips here.
📲 Will my phone work in the UK?
POSSIBLY. Always check with your home mobile provider. If it won’t work or is too expensive, I recommend using Airlo E-Sim for data packages to stay connected online.
🔌 What adapter should I use in the UK?
TYPE G – In the UK, you’ll need a type G plug travel adapter with three rectangular pins arranged in a triangle to power your devices, and the electrical system runs on a 230V supply voltage at 50Hz. (READ MORE)
✈️ What is the best site to buy UK flights?
For finding affordable UK flights, I recommend using Skyscanner. You can always compare the prices that suit your budget.
🛏️ What is the best way to book accommodations in the UK?
My go-to for UK accommodations is Booking.com. I recommend to always check hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.
💷 What currency do I need for my UK trip?
Sterling Pounds – I suggest getting a Wise Travel Card for your hassle-free forex and contactless spending while in the UK. (READ MORE)
🧳 What do I pack for the UK trip?
Depending on the season – You can check my article about the best time to visit the UK.
🛂 Do I need a visa for the UK?
Likely Not – US, Canada, AU, NZ, and EU passport holders do not need a visit visa to the UK. If ever you need one, read more on how to apply for a UK visit visa. Visit iVisa.com to help you with your visa travel documentation needs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
Travel BlogEverything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British–Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in the Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our mission is to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.