It may sound like a big claim, but I think the train ride from St Ives to St Erth is hard to beat for its outstanding views!
The train pulls out of the station behind Porthminster Beach.
The Views From The Train
The views of Porthminster and then St Ives are gorgeous.
The train goes through a tunnel and then glimpses of Carbis Bay come into view.
The train pulls out of Carbis Bay and heads towards Lelant and Porthkidney Sands. Porthkidney Sands when the tide is out stretches out before you. It is fabulous!
St Ives Train Station & Train Ride Is On Our Game!
Of course we couldn't leave this amazing train ride off our game, The Great St Ives Pasty Dash. The train station is one of the spaces you land on, and there is a little postcard all about the train ride.
St Ives Train Station
The station in St Ives is right behind Porthminster Beach.
To drive there you need to go up Tregenna Hill and take the little left hand fork in the road down the The Station Car Park.
If you are in St Ives, you can walk to the station along The Warren and onto the walk behind Porthminster Beach. Just before the slipway down to the beach you will see some steep stairs. This will take you up to the train station.
Car Parking
Parking here is often tricky, but you can drop off and pick up people from the station if you need to.
Click here to read more about car parking in St Ives >>
St Ives Tickets
There is a ticket office in St Ives and the person who works there is really helpful!
You can also buy tickets online or there is a machine.
At the time of writing (May 2024) an adult return between St Ives and St Erth costs £4.00 (cheaper with a rail card) or £3.00 one way.
Children 5-15 cost £2 for a return, or £1.50. Children under 5 go free. Dogs are allowed on the train.
Look out for the sculpture on the station called "A School Of Palettes" by David Kemp with mosaic work by Celia Gregory. Well it wouldn't be St Ives without a bit of art would it!?
Station Shop
There is a really good shop next to the ticket office.
St Ives Train Times
There are approx 2 trains per hour between St Ives and St Erth. The first train to St Ives from St Erth leaves at just after 7am and the last train from St Ives back to St Erth leaves at 22:31. Check the trainline.com or the GWR app for more up to date info.
The Journey
The whole train journey only takes 11 minutes!
The route is:
- St Erth
- Lelant Saltings
- Lelant
- Carbis Bay
- St Ives
St Erth Park and Ride
If you are looking at leaving your car at St Erth and getting the train into St Ives (often very wise in the busy Summer months) it will cost you £4.10 to park for the day during the week, and £2.90 to park during the weekend. The car park has 500 spaces and is open 24 hours a day. You will need to buy train tickets on top of this.
For more info about the St Erth park and ride click here >>
