Because of the ever-increasing numbers of tourists flocking to Newquay in the summer, transport links seem to be constantly improving and there are a variety of different ways to get to Newquay. Hotels tend to be clustered around the town centre, so visiting Newquay by public transport is probably the easiest way to travel, as well as the most environmentally friendly. That said, many people will want to experience not just Newquay, but also some of the stunning Cornish coastline and many of the attractions scattered around Cornwall, so if you plan something similar, a car might be the better option. Either way, there are a number of options to get you quickly and stress-free to your Newquay hotel and your holiday.

By Car

Travelling by car to Newquay is easy these days as the M4, M5 and M6 all make it almost impossible to get lost. Add to that the improvements to the A30 and the A38 and travel throughout Cornwall is an enjoyable and picturesque experience. Throughout the county there are dual carriageways (as far as Carland Cross, Mitchell and Penzance) and the old problems with congestion seem to have been (for the most part) adequately dealt with. Directions for most people will be as simple as taking the M5 to Exeter, and then the A30 the rest of the way, following the signs for Newquay. The distance from London to Newquay is around 280 miles and takes about five hours. From Birmingham it is about 250 miles and takes about four and a half hours.

By Coach

If you’ve got a hotel in Newquay town centre then coach is probably the most economical and most efficient option. Door to door from London to Newquay should be around seven hours, and there are regular buses from most destinations. National Express has direct buses between London and Newquay five times a day. There are also buses between Plymouth and Newquay four times a day and to and from Penzance twice a day. Connecting services to Cornwall are available from Bristol and Birmingham and many other destinations. Megabus also operate a service between London and Newquay.Within Cornwall itself there are excellent public transport links run by Western Greyhound who operate a service throughout all of the villages, towns and cities and are good value for money.

 

By Train

There are direct trains to Newquay every weekend from May to September, and every day during July and August. The rest of the year you have to change at Plymouth. First Western operates trains out of Paddington and there is even a delightful sleeper service that is well worth the extra cost.

 

By Plane

For those of you wanting to fly the short distance to Newquay, a number of airlines now operate direct flights, including Air South West, Ryanair, BMI Baby, Jet2 and Flybe.

By Cycle

Finally, for those interested in touring around Newquay and Cornwall by bike, you’ll be pleased to know there couldn’t be a better-organized destination for cyclists. Hotels in Newquay are a great base from which to explore the county by bike and to jump onto the Cornish Way, a network of cycle paths covering the whole county and designed to encourage more people onto their bikes. Subject to booking and space, you can also take your bikes on South West trains for free.

For more information, read our Newquay Tourist Information