The train journey to St Ives is one of the most scenic in Britain.
The train journey to St Ives is one of the most scenic in Britain.
Enjoy spectacular views as the line sweeps along the coast past the golden sands of Hayle Towans and Carbis Bay before arriving in St Ives.
Then head for the beach, explore the harbour or wander the shops and art galleries.
The line starts at St Erth, the penultimate station on the main line between London Paddington and Penzance. If arriving by car, use the new Park & Ride at St Erth station (TR27 6JW).
(Note: the old Lelant Saltings P&R is now closed.)
Dogs are welcome on the train (but please note beach restrictions).
If you can, sit on the right hand side of the train when you get on at St Erth. The views out across the sea are fantastic!
It’s a short but spectacular 10-minute journey. There are two trains an hour, and the service runs 7 days a week (except 25 & 26 December). Look up train times.
St Erth station cafe is great for a bite to eat. There are toilets at St Erth station, on the train and near St Ives station (above Porthminster beach). All trains carry ramps for wheelchairs.
With its mild climate, beautiful beaches of soft white sand and a famous Mediterranean light that has attracted artists for centuries, St Ives is rightly considered one of Cornwall's gems.
The town more than lives up to expectations and the journey to St Ives on the train is where the whole experience begins.
The beach is a steep walk down from the station but there is usually plenty of space, soft white sands, turquoise waters and a café (eat-in or takeaway) on site.
If you don’t fancy the steep climb, then you can always take the train all the way to St Ives and walk to Carbis Bay along the South West Coast Path. The walk should take about 25 minutes (get directions) but the views out over the coast are spectacular.
Arrive by train on the Cornish main line (St Erth is the last stop before Penzance) or park your car at the station.
St Ives station is right next to the beautiful Porthminster beach (pictured) one of the town’s four beaches to explore.
Treat yourself at the beach’s award winning cafe restaurant.
From the station it is an 8-minute walk into town (step-free but steep in places) where you can explore the harbour, shops, galleries and top pubs and restaurants.
Artistic connections in St Ives date back to Victorian times when artists were attracted to the town for its special light. Explore the many artist’s studios scattered through the town or visit Tate St Ives (timed slot must be booked).
Discover some great places to eat and drink along the line with the St Ives Bay Line Rail Ale Trail. Collect stamps and win a T-shirt!
Off-Peak Day Return. On the St Ives Bay Line, these tickets are valid all day, seven days a week. Elsewhere on the GWR network, Off-Peak Day Return tickets are typically valid for journeys after 09 30 Mon-Fri and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays.
If you can, please buy your ticket online on the GWR app or website. Download it to your mobile device or smart ticket where possible.
Valid all day, seven days a week, available all year round (no trains 25-26 Dec)
Children under the age of 5 travel free and don’t require a ticket.
For advice on taking buggies or prams on the train visit our page about travelling with kids.
5 to 15 year olds get 50% off. Over 15s are classed as adults, but can save with the 16-17 Saver or a 16-25 railcard.
The St Ives Bay Line Family Ranger ticket (£10) gives unlimited travel on the line all day long for two adults and up to three children.
Buy on the day from St Erth station ticket office or ticket machine, or if beginning your journey at St Ives buy on the train (cash or card).
Small groups of adults travelling together can save a third or more by buying a group ticket.
If you’re travelling on the St Ives Bay Line only, the Group Ranger gives unlimited travel all day long on the line for four adults.
At £8, it works out as just £2 per person (half the adult fare).
If you’re starting or ending your rail journey somewhere other than the St Ives Bay Line, you can still save with the Groupsave discount.
Groups of three to nine people who buy their ticket together save a third on Off-Peak Day Return tickets on Great Western Railway services.
Live locally? For just £12 a year this card gives Devon and Cornwall residents a third off most Standard Off-Peak tickets for you and a friend when travelling in the two counties. You can also take up to four accompanying children (ages 5-15) on the journey for £1 each.
Find out more and get yours.
Whether you want to travel Standard or First Class, national railcards give a third off Anytime, Off-Peak and Advanced fares. Most cost just £30 a year.
Available railcards include:
16-25
26-30
Senior
Two Together
Disabled Persons (£20)
Family & Friends
There is also a 16-17 Saver which offers even better savings.
If you can, please buy your ticket online on the GWR app or website. Download it to your mobile device or smart ticket where possible.
Also please remember to:
– wear a face covering (mandatory on public transport) unless you are exempt
– wash your hands
– use social distancing
Get more advice on GWR’s Coronavirus safety page.
On the St Ives Bay Line, Off-Peak Day Return tickets for trips like St Erth to St Ives (£4.00) are valid all day, seven days a week, and are available all year round (no trains 25-26 Dec).
Elsewhere on the GWR network, Off-Peak Day Return tickets are typically valid for journeys after 09 30 Mon-Fri and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays. Look up train times.
(For longer distance journeys you can save a lot of money by booking up to 12 weeks in advance).
Where possible please buy your ticket online on the GWR app or website. Download it to your mobile device or smart ticket where possible.
If you are unable to do this and need to buy your ticket in person:
St Erth station
St Erth has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.
St Ives station
St Ives has a ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you travel.
If you are boarding at an unstaffed station that does not have ticket buying facilities, such as Carbis Bay, you can buy your ticket on the train from the Conductor.
You can also buy tickets at other stations on the national rail network that have a ticket machine or ticket office.
St Ives Bay Line Family Ranger
Two adults and up to three children travel for just £10.
Read more
St Ives Bay Line Group Ranger
Four adults travelling together can ride the line for just £8.
Read more
Groupsave
If starting your journey further afield on the GWR network, groups of 3 to 9 people travelling together get a third off Off-Peak Day Return fares on GWR services.
Read more
Child fares
Under 5s travel free and do not require a ticket. 5-15 year olds are half price.
Devon & Cornwall Railcard
If you live locally you and a friend can save a third on Off-Peak travel in the two counties. Just £12 a year.
Read more
National railcards
Get a third off many rail journeys nationwide. Most railcards cost £30 a year.
Read more
Cornwall Ranger
Day ticket that provides Off-Peak rail travel in Cornwall and to/from Plymouth (plus the Tamar Valley Line).
£13 Adult | £6.50 Child (5-15).
Read more
Ride Cornwall
Day ticket similar to the Cornwall Ranger but that also includes local bus travel.
£18 Adult | £9 Child (5-15).
Read more
Average each way
Mon - Sat, less frequent Sun
No trains 25-26 Dec
If you can, please buy your ticket online on the GWR app or website. Download it to your mobile device or smart ticket where possible.
Also please remember to:
– wear a face covering (mandatory on public transport) unless you are exempt
– wash your hands
– use social distancing
Get more advice on GWR’s Coronavirus safety page.
On the St Ives Bay Line, Off-Peak Day Return tickets for trips like St Erth to St Ives (£4.00) are valid all day, seven days a week, and are available all year round (no trains 25-26 Dec).
Elsewhere on the GWR network, Off-Peak Day Return tickets are typically valid for journeys after 09 30 Mon-Fri and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays. Look up train times.
(For longer distance journeys you can save a lot of money by booking up to 12 weeks in advance).
Where possible please buy your ticket online on the GWR app or website. Download it to your mobile device or smart ticket where possible.
If you are unable to do this and need to buy your ticket in person:
St Erth station
St Erth has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.
St Ives station
St Ives has a ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you travel.
If you are boarding at an unstaffed station that does not have ticket buying facilities, such as Carbis Bay, you can buy your ticket on the train from the Conductor.
You can also buy tickets at other stations on the national rail network that have a ticket machine or ticket office.
St Ives Bay Line Family Ranger
Two adults and up to three children travel for just £10.
Read more
St Ives Bay Line Group Ranger
Four adults travelling together can ride the line for just £8.
Read more
Groupsave
If starting your journey further afield on the GWR network, groups of 3 to 9 people travelling together get a third off Off-Peak Day Return fares on GWR services.
Read more
Child fares
Under 5s travel free and do not require a ticket. 5-15 year olds are half price.
Devon & Cornwall Railcard
If you live locally you and a friend can save a third on Off-Peak travel in the two counties. Just £12 a year.
Read more
National railcards
Get a third off many rail journeys nationwide. Most railcards cost £30 a year.
Read more
Cornwall Ranger
Day ticket that provides Off-Peak rail travel in Cornwall and to/from Plymouth (plus the Tamar Valley Line).
£13 Adult | £6.50 Child (5-15).
Read more
Ride Cornwall
Day ticket similar to the Cornwall Ranger but that also includes local bus travel.
£18 Adult | £9 Child (5-15).
Read more
If you can, please buy your ticket online on the GWR app or website. Download it to your mobile device or smart ticket where possible.
Also please remember to:
– wear a face covering (mandatory on public transport) unless you are exempt
– wash your hands
– use social distancing
Get more advice on GWR’s Coronavirus safety page.
On the St Ives Bay Line, Off-Peak Day Return tickets for trips like St Erth to St Ives (£4.00) are valid all day, seven days a week, and are available all year round (no trains 25-26 Dec).
Elsewhere on the GWR network, Off-Peak Day Return tickets are typically valid for journeys after 09 30 Mon-Fri and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays. Look up train times.
(For longer distance journeys you can save a lot of money by booking up to 12 weeks in advance).
Where possible please buy your ticket online on the GWR app or website. Download it to your mobile device or smart ticket where possible.
If you are unable to do this and need to buy your ticket in person:
St Erth station
St Erth has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.
St Ives station
St Ives has a ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you travel.
If you are boarding at an unstaffed station that does not have ticket buying facilities, such as Carbis Bay, you can buy your ticket on the train from the Conductor.
You can also buy tickets at other stations on the national rail network that have a ticket machine or ticket office.
St Ives Bay Line Family Ranger
Two adults and up to three children travel for just £10.
Read more
St Ives Bay Line Group Ranger
Four adults travelling together can ride the line for just £8.
Read more
Groupsave
If starting your journey further afield on the GWR network, groups of 3 to 9 people travelling together get a third off Off-Peak Day Return fares on GWR services.
Read more
Child fares
Under 5s travel free and do not require a ticket. 5-15 year olds are half price.
Devon & Cornwall Railcard
If you live locally you and a friend can save a third on Off-Peak travel in the two counties. Just £12 a year.
Read more
National railcards
Get a third off many rail journeys nationwide. Most railcards cost £30 a year.
Read more
Cornwall Ranger
Day ticket that provides Off-Peak rail travel in Cornwall and to/from Plymouth (plus the Tamar Valley Line).
£13 Adult | £6.50 Child (5-15).
Read more
Ride Cornwall
Day ticket similar to the Cornwall Ranger but that also includes local bus travel.
£18 Adult | £9 Child (5-15).
Read more
