Travelling from Plymouth to London takes on average 3 hours if you travel directly using the Great Western Railway. Which makes sense as the two cities are separated by 191 miles.
Your trip from Plymouth to London will start on the South West Coast, nestled by the English Channel. You’ll head north from the exquisitely gorgeous county of Devon, along to Exeter, and then gradually head east to London.
Great Western Railway provides services to the West of England and South Wales, including inter-city trains to West London and the Thames Valley. Additionally, it offers a sleeper service between London and Penzance on the Cornish coast.
Departing from Plymouth
Plymouth train station is situated along North Road near the city centre and not far from the University of Plymouth. It’s usefully located near buses and taxis, offers bike storage facilities, and operates a small car park that’s open seven days per week.
Main stops
Six stations are separating Plymouth and London Paddington. They are: Totnes, Newton Abbot, Exeter St David’s, Tiverton Parkway, Taunton, and Reading.
Although it’s possible that these stops may change due to faults, engineering works, or poor weather, it’s best to check what stations you’ll be stopping at before you travel.
Booking early can be a great way to save money, too. If you want to buy cheap train tickets, then it’s best to book early and use sites like TrainPal to save. Adding a Railcard will get you a bigger discount too.
The train from Plymouth to London will arrive at London Paddington in the centre of the city. It is situated between the district of Notting Hill in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and Marylebone in the City of Westminster. The station also serves as the terminus for the Great Western Mainline.
Because of its centrality, it’s near bus routes and is connected to the Circle, District, Bakerloo, and Hammersmith & City lines on the London Underground, making it incredibly easy to get anywhere you want to go.
Paddington station is a great place to explore the rest of London. It’s central to almost everything: Shepherd’s Bush, the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, and Tate Modern are only a few tube stops away. Easy peasy.
Great Western Railway train classes
- Standard Class: Comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi. There are also tables and power sockets for your devices.
- First Class: First Class seating offers more space, greater comfort, large tables, and exclusive dining options. It also offers access to First Class lounges at London Paddington station.
Great Western Railway train travel advice
- Luggage: Maximum of three items of luggage. This goes up to two larger items and one smaller bag.
- Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small animals can travel for free. Dogs must be on a lead. Other animals must travel in carriers. Extra pets cost half the adult fare. There is a maximum of two pets per passenger.
- Bicycles: Bikes can be stored free of charge, but space is limited. It is strongly recommended that you book your ticket in advance to book a bike space.
- Children: Under 5’s can travel for free. Children aged 5 to 15 can save 50% on their tickets. Booking in advance using TrainPal helps ensure families can sit together. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
- Passenger Assist: Helps with journey planning, ticketing, seat and wheelchair space booking, boarding and alighting with ramps, station navigation, and luggage handling. Booking in advance is recommended for a seamless experience.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.