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Photos from our destination guides; each links to the page that lists the place.
- Fastest published time5 hr 4 min1
- Straight-line distanceabout 373 km (232 miles)
- FaresVary: book ahead for Advance4
About this time. The time is London Paddington to Penzance, "as little as" as published by GWR; Cornwall has other stations that are nearer. The Night Riviera Sleeper runs between London Paddington and Penzance.1
The time above is the quickest journey on the National Rail page we read on 1 Nov 2026; it is not a timetable. Some trains take longer and some need a change. Check the National Rail journey planner (opens in new tab) for your date.
Where the trains go from
National Rail names London Paddington as the London station with direct trains to Penzance.1
From Penzance National Rail lists direct trains to Plymouth.1
GWR lists direct routes from London Paddington to Penzance and to Truro, and from Plymouth to Penzance. Its Cornwall stations include Penzance, Truro, St Austell and Bodmin Parkway, with branch lines towards Newquay, Looe, St Ives and Falmouth. The Night Riviera Sleeper runs between London Paddington and Penzance nightly except Saturdays.1
| Station | Managed by | Step-free access | Left luggage |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Paddington station page on National Rail (opens in new tab) 2 | Network Rail | Step-free category B1: there is step-free access to all platforms which may be accessed via long or steep ramps or via streets | Left luggage listed (Mon to Fri 07:00 to 23:00; other days not listed) |
| Penzance station page on National Rail (opens in new tab) 2 | Great Western Railway | Step-free category A: there is step-free access to all platforms | No left luggage listed |
Step-free categories are National Rail’s own. More on storing bags: luggage storage at stations and airports. Main-line hubs on the way: rail gateway stations.
Which ticket to look for
- Advance. Single tickets for one train on one date. National Rail says you can usually buy them up to 12 weeks ahead and, on many routes, until shortly before departure. You may pay £10 to change one plus any fare difference (as stated on 1 Nov 2026); they are non-refundable unless your train is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel.4
- Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak. Not tied to one train, but limited to quieter times. National Rail says off-peak hours generally begin at 09:30 on weekdays in cities and large towns (09:00 elsewhere), and weekends and bank holidays are off-peak all day. Evening restrictions may apply.5
- Anytime. The most flexible and usually the most expensive.6
A Railcard can cut many fares by a third. See rail tickets explained, Railcards and the which ticket helper.
Step-free travel and assistance
National Rail’s Passenger Assist lets you book help for the whole journey through one train company, even across several trains. It says train companies accept requests up to 2 hours before the journey starts, and that you can also turn up and go by asking staff or using a Help Point.7 See accessible travel.
Other ways to make the trip
Coach. Visit Cornwall says coach times from London or Birmingham to Truro are around 7 to 8 hours; National Express serves Cornwall as far as Penzance.3 See coaches and long-distance buses.
Driving. Read driving in Britain first if you plan to hire a car, especially for the city driving zones.
More train routes
- London to Oxford by train
- London to Cambridge by train
- London to Bath by train
- London to Bristol by train
- London to Wales by train
- London to Cardiff by train
- London to York by train
- London to Manchester by train
- London to Liverpool by train
- London to Lake District by train
- London to Edinburgh by train
- London to Glasgow by train
Questions
How long is the train from London to Cornwall?
The fastest journey National Rail publishes takes 5 hr 4 min. The time is London Paddington to Penzance, "as little as" as published by GWR; Cornwall has other stations that are nearer. The Night Riviera Sleeper runs between London Paddington and Penzance. Many trains take longer, and some need a change: check the journey planner for your date.
How much is the train from London to Cornwall?
There is no single fare. Prices depend on the ticket type, time and how early you book. National Rail says Advance tickets can usually be bought up to 12 weeks ahead and are only valid on the train you book; Off-Peak tickets are cheaper than Anytime tickets where they exist.