Accommodation & Transport Eden Project

Newquay to Eden Project - two buses via Four Lords or a train to Lostwithiel then a bus. Both 2h to 2h15m.

I would try to go to the Eden Project first then Newquay - and then catch a flight from Newquay to Gatwick. They are regularly under £50.

Otherwise you are probably looking at a bus to Lostwithiel then train to Plymouth, train to Paddington, connection within London (ELizabeth line to Farringdon makes sense) then train to Gatwick. That would probably be over six hours. If I was doing it that way round I think I would still head back to Newquay as the 2 hours ish travel, 2 hours before a flight and then the flight would still get you to Gatwick quicker.

Brilliant, thanks so much!

There's bus service from St. Austell, and I was able to get there from Mevagissey via a two-bus route, connecting in St. Austell.

I'm not sure cheap accommodations exist in Cornwall. Truro might be the best bet other than isolated rural spots, but Truro's not particularly close to The Eden Project.

I also liked The Lost Gardens of Heligan. It's walkable from Mevagissey (I managed to miss the bus).

Thanks for this info too. I’ve tried to figure out if the Eden Project hostel takes single travelers. Seems they don’t do dorm-type accommodations, mostly for families I guess.

Going to Lostwithiel for a train is an unusual idea- as service there is not super frequent. St Austell is by far your better station for connections.
This is the current bus timetable- note that it is not super frequent and requires careful planning to make the bus connection- https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/gocornwallbus/SMMC/28-timetable-20230531-24532fda.pdf

I would change at St Austell Bus and Rail Station where there are all facilities, not some random stop- like St Blazey Gate Four Lords. I know what traveline says, but am sceptical that is the most sensible route, having done it by bus. St Blazey Gate would not be my choice of interchange point.

There is a Premier Inn in St Austell.
If you stay in Truro you can bus or train to St Austell for the Eden Project bus.

If you are going to Gatwick straight from the Eden Project I would have thought that train from St Austell to Reading, then train Reading to Gatwick Airport was preferable to bus back to Newquay, change for the bus to Newquay Airport, check in and fly to Gatwick.

By the way a test booking for the YHA Eden Project shows that they do take single travellers- but in high season whether that is cheaper than a hotel is questionable.

Excellent food for thought, thank you. I was amazed to find the train fares from Bodmin near the cost of flights from Newquay. Luckily, I have some time to untangle the transport mysteries before my trip. I have a query in to the hostel at Eden Project about accommodations there for singles. No response as yet. Again, thanks for taking time to reply.

I was amazed to find the train fares from Bodmin near the cost of flights from Newquay.

You may be too early for the cheapest fares. When looking at train fares, do you see the word Advance (with a capital ) next to them? If not, you’re seeing the standard Anytime or Off-Peak rates.

Have a look at rates in July and August for comparison and you might see cheaper ones labelled Advance. These are the ones to keep an eye on as they’ll be cheapest. But they must be used on the specific train. Next best are Off-Peak, with certain time restrictions attached. Anytime tix are always breathtakingly expensive.

Note: this mostly really applies to long journeys, eg Cornwall to London.

Air fares vs Rail Fares- an advance train fare from St Austell, Bodmin or Newquay to Paddington- the cheapest advance fare is £42.
Advance fare Cornwall to Gatwick is £46 by changing at Reading- and having one ticket Cornwall to Reading, and a 2nd ticket Reading to Gatwick.

The headline advance air fare is £39.99, but that only includes a 7kg piece of hand baggage.

Include the 15kg hold baggage and it becomes £64.99.

Then if you want to do seat selection that adds on a further £6 or £8.

And then the cost of getting into London, unless you are flying out the same day. Are you willing to risk a non ticketed same day connection, no matter how long, if that's your plan? Risking cancellation of the Newquay flight. If on the early flight from Newquay add on the taxi cost from Newquay to the airport as there is only a bus connection for the mid morning and afternoon flights.

Suddenly a cheap flight isn't quite so cheap.

Goodness! I’m glad I asked—thank you both for weighing in, as I certainly had no way of knowing these particulars. I’m a very light traveler—one pack does it for a two week walking holiday. And I did hear about advance tickets, but the rail schedules are somewhat daunting—there are so many choices and they all include changes. With your feedback, at least I know what to look for! I very much appreciate your advice.