When you look at Truro on a map, it can seem like a world away, deep in the heart of Cornwall.
While I won’t deny it’s pretty far into the South West, what you should know is how easy it is to get to Truro.
Let me explain.
As the only city in Cornwall, the transport links are excellent. Driving is a straight shoot down a dual carriageway, trains and coaches run directly from London, you can even fly most of the way!
So buckle up for the journey.
Driving to Truro
The city sits right on the A30 which runs through the heart of Cornwall. Outside of the peak summer school holidays, this road is mostly a quiet dual carriageway which you can cruise down in less than 1 hour 30 minutes from Exeter. From further afield you can easily access the South West via the M5 from Bristol which links directly on the M4 towards London.
From outside of Devon and Cornwall the drive will take a few hours from other areas of the UK but it is a relatively easy drive which doesn’t require any winding country roads. Simply jump onto the A30 which runs directly to Truro. Easy.
This road network also makes it simple to access the rest of Cornwall quickly from Truro. You can get to both the North and South coast beaches near Truro within 20 minutes or take a trip to nearby towns of Newquay, St Ives, and Falmouth.
Getting the Train to Truro
Since living in Truro I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the great service running to and from the train station. Although it’s not huge, with 3 platforms, it gets you where you need to go (or arrive from) thanks to Great Western Railway.
You can get the train direct from London to Truro in around 4 hours with stops at Reading, Weston -super-Mare Taunton, Exeter, and Plymouth. This makes it super easy to access the rest of the country from Reading, and London Paddington.
The train station is just a few minute’s walks down the hill into the centre of the city. You can easily find accommodation nearby, visit for a shopping trip, or just explore the local sights without the need for a taxi.
In addition, the Truro Train Station sits on the same lines as Falmouth and Penzance as you dive deeper into the South West.
Flying to Truro
The journey from around the UK and Europe to Cornwall can take a long time. Often at least 3 hours or more. Getting to Truro can be achieved by flying to one of the nearby airports. There is no airport in Truro but you can fly to Newquay, Plymouth, or Exeter.
Newquay Cornwall Airport
Cornwall airport is based just outside of Newquay at less than a 30 minute drive to Truro. Newquay airport mostly runs domestic flights from cities such as London, Manchester, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Isle of Scilly, and Newcastle.
Adding to this there are a small number of international flights to the destinations of Faro (Portugal), Alicante (Spain), and Dusseldorf (Germany).
Once you arrive, you can travel to Truro via road with a car or local public buses. Due to the rural nature of the area, it is highly recommended to rent a car for the duration of your stay. This gives you the freedom to explore the area as you please.
Exeter Airport
Exeter Airport is the nearest ‘international’ airport to Truro and wider Cornwall, although it is still a small travel hub. Exeter is actually located in Devon, so you will still have to travel over an hour and a half to Truro either by driving or on the train.
That being said, it is still a useful travel hub to access the area from around the UK with flights arriving from Edinburgh, Jersey, Guernsey, Newcastle, Dublin, Norwich, and London. Plus there are international destinations such as Cyprus, Chambery (winter only), Alicante, Malaga, Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, Zante, Ibiza, Majorca, and Lanzarote. It is worth noting that many of these flights run seasonally in the summer during peak holiday seasons.
Coaches and Busses
Truro has a decent bus station which has arrivals with companies such as National Express. This allows you to travel by coach directly from London and with changes from other areas of the UK. The journey can take a long time, often over 8 hours from the capital.
There is a strong local bus network from you to access other areas of Cornwall too and from Truro bus station for travel to places like Falmouth, Penzance, Newquay, St.Ives and surrounding villages.
Is there a Ferry to Truro?
River cruises do run along the Fal River between Falmouth, St Mawes and Trelissick. Although, these operate as sightseeing tours and day cruises rather than for travel. For example, you can’t get a ferry to France, mainland Europe, or other parts of the UK.
Getting to Truro in Cornwall
I hope this guide helps you in planning your trip to Truro.
As you’ve discovered, there is a decent choice of travel options to arrive in Cornwall’s main city.
Driving is a popular choice with access directly from the A30 road which runs through the heart of the South West. Adding to this, direct trains run multiple times a day from London Paddington, Bristol, and Exeter. Flights are limited with access via Newquay or Exeter airport. These options still require a drive to arrive in Truro, so you should look at renting a car for your stay.
Introducing Eliot, the Editor here and Cornwall local with a wanderlust spirit and an insatiable appetite for adventure. With a passion for the great outdoors, he can often be found catching waves on his surfboard, scaling peaks on a hiking trail, or discovering hidden gems in his exploration of Cornwall.