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Port Isaac by train + ?

Here I am once again planning the transportation details of my 2 years delayed England/Scotland trip. I've kept all my notes and have all lodging arranged. Our trip will last 1 month, returning to some favorite places and adding new locations we didn't have time for last trip. We will begin our journey with a 5 day hike along the Southwest Coast Path, starting in Port Isaac. It seems that the closest train station is Bodmin. From there a taxi service can take us to Port Isaac. My question is, is that the best way to go? I know bus service in Cornwall is tough to figure out and not very frequent. Our flight arrives at Heathrow at 7am. September 2nd. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks! Jenny

Posted by
27122 posts

Rome2Rio gives some options. Don't trust its info on fares, travel times or frequencies. https://www.rome2rio.com/map/London-Heathrow-Airport-LHR/Port-Isaac.

Aside from the inaccuracies in the details, I'm sort of appalled that the option tagged as "Recommended" involves flying north to Newcastle, changing planes, flying south to Exeter, taking a local bus into the city, picking up a train to Bodmin Parkway, and then taking a bus to Port Isaac that Rome2Rio (inaccurately) thinks runs only twice a day. What would be the odds of making that work if there really were only two buses a day?

You can check out the Cornish bus schedules here: http://www.travelinesw.com/

Posted by
1835 posts

Bodmin Parkway is the closest station. There is a good service from London Paddington and the journey takes about four hours. You may want to buy tickets in advance . Use the GWR werbsite.

https://www.gwr.com/

The number 10 bus goes from Bodmin Parkway to Port Isaac. Timetable here;

https://bustimes.org/services/10-launceston-camelford-delabole-port-isaac-polzea

A taxi is likely to cost £40 There are several companies that advertise pickups at the railway station - a google search on 'Taxis Bodmin Parkway railway station' throws up several companies. It is probably sensible to book and get a price.

Posted by
116 posts

Thank you both so much. I'm always amazed at some of the suggestions Rome2Rio comes up with. I did consider flying to Newquay but the flight times just didn't work. I think we'll be taking the train/taxi route, something not terribly complicated since we will have been traveling for about 20 hours by then and will be fairly exhausted, but excited and happy to be finally making this trip.