London Paddington to St Ives (Cornwall) Trains From €74.12*

Travel from London Paddington to one of England's most picturesque coastal towns aboard Great Western Railway trains. The trip covers 248 miles and takes about  5 hours 25 minutes, with a required change at St Erth. There are up to 29 departures daily, and the final service leaves at 23:45.

First Class vs Standard — What to choose?

• First Class includes extra legroom, wider seats, and more spacious cabins. Snacks and drinks are served on board, and access to exclusive GWR First Class Lounges before departure is available. Seats are arranged in a 2+1 layout, with single seats available for solo travellers. 

• Standard Class passengers have access to Wi-Fi, outlets (availability varies), luggage racks, bike storage, and all basic facilities. Seats are 4 across with the aisle in the centre, access to the buffet cart and more flexibility in choosing your seat at boarding time. You're not locked into a reserved seat.

What is the luggage allowance?

GWR allows generous luggage allowances on all services. Passengers can bring up to two large pieces of luggage plus one smaller carry-on bag (such as a rucksack or laptop bag) without additional charge. There is ample luggage storage space throughout the train, including overhead racks and designated storage areas at the end of carriages. Bicycles can be brought on board on most services; a free reservation is required and space is limited.

Is First Class worth it on this route?

For a 5+ hour journey to Cornwall, First Class becomes more compelling than shorter UK routes, particularly if you value a quieter workspace and extra space. First class includes gluten-free and vegan meal options, plus a range of soft drinks or hot tea and coffee. If you value some extra care for your meal on board and want to have room for work or relax during the trip, then First Class is a great option; if you want to stay on a budget and are satisfied with bringing your own food or buying snacks from the on board cart, choose Standard.

The route passes through the Wiltshire hills, the dramatic Devon countryside, and crosses the River Tamar before descending into Cornwall, where passengers change at St Erth (the junction with the St Ives Bay Line) for the final 10-minute journey along the coast to St Ives.

London Paddington: Getting to the Platform

Paddington is served by the Bakerloo, Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines. All platforms are at the far end of the concourse. If you hold a First Class ticket, the GWR First Class Lounge is located at the far end of the concourse near Platform 1. 

Shops and food outlets — including M&S Simply Food, Wasabi, WHSmith and The Beer House — are located along the main concourse.

Onboard trains from London Paddington to St Ives (Cornwall) 

The route winds through the hills of Wiltshire and Devon before descending to Cornwall's dramatic coastline, passing by the River Tamar, offering spectacular coastal views.

The scenic side

On the left side of the train (westward-facing), you can see the Exe Estuary and the dramatic red cliffs at Dawlish as the train arrives on the coast. The line passes through five tunnels with sea views between each one. After Newton Abbot, the landscape softens into wooded valleys as you pass through the River Tamar valley into Cornwall.

Key landmarks

Look out for the red sandstone cliffs at Dawlish — coastal stretch with views across the English Channel. Watch for the River Tamar crossing; the wide estuary marks the boundary between England and Cornwall. From St Erth, the final 10-minute branch line to St Ives runs directly along the coast, climbing to sea-level views before descending into St Ives harbour

Arriving at St Ives (Cornwall)

The station is situated on the hill above Porthminster beach on the south side of the town. Step off the train and you are immediately in the heart of an artist's haven with galleries, independent shops, and restaurants within walking distance.

St Ives station has a single platform, which is on the left of trains arriving from St Erth. The station exit is straightforward — you simply exit onto Station Road and head into town.

Onward Travel

• Buses: There's a bus stop at Malakoff and Triton Terrace, providing a rail replacement service if needed.
• Taxis: Accessible taxis are available at the station car park
• Bicycles: Bicycle storage is available at the station

Walkability