Bournemouth - Newquay???

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Hi

Does anyone know the quickest and cheapest way (not driving) to get from Bournemouth to Newquay?

I don't know the SW area at all and need to get from Bournemouth to Newquay on a Saturday in October.

Have looked up buses and trains and it seems that it takes about 7 hours with about 5 changes??

Can anyone help with some info?

Many thanks
GJ x

Savvy_Sue

Using traveline I can get it down to 6.5 hours and 3 changes (and I'm not sure one of them isn't getting the bus to the station!)

But it's not looking great.

Your problem is that not many trains run East / West, so you're going to have to go up and then down. Quite a way ...

there's a map of train routes available here, you might spot something obvious?

Is it worth phoning Bournemouth airport and asking if there are local flights to Newquay?

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Hi, Thanks Savvy_Sue - useful info.

No direct flights to Newquay from Bournemouth, I've already searched on their webiste and also on skyscanner...

it's a shame, if you dont' drive then you need to spend a whole day travelling to a destination that is only 165miles away! doesn't really encourage the use of public transport either

Savvy_Sue

OK, next long shot suggestion, post on your local Freecycle Cafe or Gumtree?

See if anyone is either going that way or would be willing to do so for the petrol money!

Also check that train map to see if there is anywhere which does have trains to Newquay from somewhere you can get to in a sane manner, or could reasonably get a taxi to (although not being from Bournemouth, I can't see anything obvious).

Playing devil's advocate slightly, it's a 3.5 hour drive, plus I'd need at least half an hour break in that, possibly two. Given that there could be a lot of traffic, I would be allowing at least 5 hours to drive such a journey, at which point 6.5 hours doesn't seem SO bad.

Also I know this article is about cheap train fares, but I also believe it gives you a link to how to find out all the stops a train is going to make. That might help you find a sane place to get to to get a saner train, if that makes sense. When our family are planning get-togethers, we often need to work out where one person could be picked up from on another person's journey, and it helps with that.

Might also be worth sending a PM to soolin to ask her to move this over to the Travel board, someone there might have an inspired thought for you!

jago25_98

Before I drove getting from Bournemouth to anywhere in the West Country was an absolute nightmare.

It's strange but it's easier to wizz up to Manchester or Newcastle than it is to traverse the south coast.

What we used to do is start from Salisbury, my dad would have to drive there for me. Timing it carefully we could sometimes even a get direct train to Plymouth.

It's mad. There must be loads of people wanting to go that way. Especially in the hieght of the tourist season. It would be so nice to relax on a train for a change than fighting those single carriageway roads for 3 hours. Or driving at 3 in the morning to avoid run to the sun 10 mile tail backs.

I bet you've seen the via Heathrow coaches yet? :rotfl:

The only other thing could NationalExpress can be 4 hours with a bit of luck to Plymouth, and a change there possibly to Newquay. I'm getting 12 hours but I thought it used to be less.

Still, Newquay is absolutely packed with no room to move at the moment. Tip: get up on Sunday morning 5-10am. My favorite time of the week.

PasturesNew

Don't try to get to Newquay by train. There are only a few trains per day and the journey can be very long because you get off at Par, could wait ages, then the next train (Par to Newquay) only travels at about 15mph (fast cyclists can cycle quicker).

Instead, go to St Austell station, it's tiny. Get off the train and it is right next to the bus station. Get the bus.

The problem with your journey isn't getting to Newquay, it's getting to Exeter/Plymouth at the start. How about taking a bus to Exeter/Plymouth, then the train.

thevicster

How about Bournemouth to Southampton then Southampton to Bristol...you may be lucky enough to get one direct to Newquay, worth a try! Alternatively try getting a bus from Bodmin Parkway/St Austell to Newquay (Western Greyhound - google for website/times) hth!