Home  Next Blog  Next Great value journeys on the Tamar Valley Line
5th September, 2022

Great value journeys on the Tamar Valley Line

This article is more than 2 years old.

THE TAMAR VALLEY LINE - YOUR GUIDE TO TAKING THE TRAIN

3 great day trips by train

FROM THE TAMAR VALLEY

Photo: Visit Plymouth

3 GREAT DAY TRIPS | WAYS TO SAVE | TRAVEL TIPS | TRAVELLING FOR WORK | RAIL MAP

3 GREAT DAY TRIPS | WAYS TO SAVE | TRAVEL TIPS
TRAVELLING FOR WORK | RAIL MAP

With trains seven days a week to Plymouth where you can change on to the main line, the Tamar Valley Line is great for day trips...

IN THIS GUIDE:

3 great day trips
Ways to save
Travel tips
Travelling for work
Rail map

1. Plymouth

Plymouth Hoe

Explore the historic Hoe (pictured), wander the harbour, enjoy some great local seafood or visit the city's new state of the art IMAX cinema.
More

Show fares and journey times

2. Exeter

Princesshay shopping centre

Head to Exeter for some great shopping including John Lewis and Princesshay shopping centre, or visit the historic quayside.
More

Show fares and journey times

3. Truro

Truro

Cornwall’s capital is a city for all seasons with its picturesque Georgian streets, excellent shopping and majestic Anglican Cathedral.
More

Show fares and journey times
LOOK UP TRAIN TIMES

Ways to save

CHILDREN'S FARES

5-15 year olds go half price and under 5s travel free

DEVON & CORNWALL RAILCARD

Get a third off local Off-Peak journeys | £12 a year | Find out more

GROUPSAVE

Small groups get a third off when travelling together | Find out more

DEVON DAY RANGER

County-wide rail travel for the day | £14.50 | Find out more

CORNWALL RANGER

Travel Cornwall and Plymouth for the day | £14.00 | Find out more

NATIONAL RAILCARDS

A third off many journeys | £30 a year | Find out more

Travel tips

HOW TO BUY TICKETS

Buy on the train from the Conductor (card or cash), or buy in advance on the GWR app. For longer trips, buy up to 12 weeks in advance to save.

PARKING

Bere Ferrers, Bere Alston, Calstock and Gunnislake stations all have free car parks and bicycle parking.

ABOUT YOUR STATION

Find out about facilities at at your local station - or the station you are travelling to - using GWR's simple station look-up page.

DOGS WELCOME

Up to two dogs are allowed on the train per person, free of charge. Just bring a lead.

WHEELCHAIRS & BUGGIES

All trains carry ramps. You can book assistance online or by phone. If possible, please fold buggies down once on the train.

BIKES ALLOWED

On the Tamar Valley Line, two bikes are allowed on a first come, first served basis. More may be permitted if the train is quiet. On high speed services on the main line, reservation is mandatory.

Travelling for work, school or college

Regular passengers can make substantial savings by taking advantage of season tickets and carnets.

Season tickets are available for one week, one month or any period up to a year. Buy your season ticket at a staffed station such as Plymouth. Take along a recent passport-sized photo. Once you have a photocard, weekly tickets can then be bought on the train.

Season ticket calculator

Season tickets to Plymouth from:

Ticket Cost
Anytime Day Return £10.20
Off-Peak Day Return £6.70
Season tickets  
1 week £30.00
1 month £115.20
1 year £1,200.00
Flexi ticket ⓘ £71.20

Ticket Cost
Anytime Day Return £7.80
Off-Peak Day Return £5.60
Season tickets  
1 week £23.60
1 month £90.70
1 year £944.00
Flexi ticket ⓘ £54.40

Carnets

Travel to Plymouth often but not every day? Save money with a Carnet - a book of 5 Anytime Day Returns valid on any train, in either direction on the Tamar Valley Line.

Only on sale at Gunnislake Post Office, Bere Alston Post Office, John Brown’s Stores in Bere Alston and Margaret’s Hairdressing in Bere Ferrers.

Gunnislake or Calstock
to Plymouth

£32

= £6.40 per Day Return

Bere Alston or Bere Ferrers
to Plymouth

£27

= £5.40 per Day Return

Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership

The Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership supports and develops the counties’ railways. We are a non-profit partnership between local authorities, the railway and the University of Plymouth. Find out more

Great Western Railway

Great Western Railway is the train operating company for the Tamar Valley Line, as well as across Devon and Cornwall. Find out more

This guide has been supported by the Community Rail Development Fund, a joint initiative of the Department for Transport and the Community Rail Network.

Train on Calstock Viaduct