- Must visit
Tate St Ives
Major modern art museum with sea-facing setting and rotating exhibitions. A top stop for British modernism and St Ives artistic history.
Cheapest price on Sep 17
$8
Average ticket price on Sep 17
$12
Fastest journey on Sep 17
2 h 45 m
Average journey duration on Sep 17
2 h 51 m
Buses on Sep 17
2
Distance
97 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Plymouth to St Ives is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Plymouth to St Ives will cost around $12 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $8.
On Thu, Sep 17, we found 2 buses from Plymouth to St Ives, including 2 direct services.
On Thu, Sep 17 the direct buses cover the 97 km distance in an average of 2 h 51 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 45 m .
On Thu, Sep 17 the slowest buses will take 2 h 56 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Plymouth to St Ives among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $13 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 28m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $13, while a train costs an average of $22.
Distance: 60 miles (97 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$13 Average price Cheapest | $22 Average price | $28 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 14m Average total duration 2h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 28m Average total duration Fastest 1h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Plymouth to St Ives:
A bus is $9 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Plymouth to St Ives costing on average $22.
Other travel options to St Ives take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 44m.
Tickets start at around $13 compared to roughly $28 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $15. The journey takes 2h 44m versus 1h 49m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:00AM | Arrival Time 06:56AM | Duration 2h56 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:15AM | Arrival Time 06:53AM | Duration 2h38 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:20AM | Arrival Time 08:55AM | Duration 2h35 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:25AM | Arrival Time 09:00AM | Duration 2h35 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 04:15PM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 05:15PM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:40PM | Arrival Time 05:25PM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $11 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:05PM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 2h55 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $13 |
The table below shows live departures for Plymouth to St Ives buses for tomorrow, Thursday, September 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:00 AM Plymouth | 2h56 | 6:56 AM St Ives | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:30 PM Plymouth | 2h45 | 5:15 PM St Ives | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Plymouth to St Ives run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 44m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $7 if you book in advance.
There are 8 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:50, the last at 22:20. The fastest bus covers the 60 miles (97 km) distance in 2h 35m.
Distance 60 miles (97 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price $7 |
Buses per day 8 |
Direct buses 8 |
Fastest bus 2h 35m |
First bus 3:50 AM |
Last bus 10:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of St Ives — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect St Ives trip today.
Major modern art museum with sea-facing setting and rotating exhibitions. A top stop for British modernism and St Ives artistic history.
Barbara Hepworth’s preserved studio and garden display her sculptures in the place she lived and worked. Essential for art lovers.
Compact museum covering fishing, mining, maritime, and social history. It gives valuable context to the town beyond its beaches and galleries.
Golden crescent beach backed by Tate St Ives and surfing waves. One of the town’s most famous and scenic places to walk and linger.
Long sandy beach east of the center with broad bay views. Popular for swimming, walks, and a quieter atmosphere than the harbour.
Historic maze of narrow lanes and cottages near the harbour. It captures the old fishing-town character that gives St Ives its charm.
A rich Cornish fish stew of mixed local seafood in a saffron broth. It is a classic coastal dish linked closely with Cornwall’s fishing heritage.
Cornwall’s famous baked pastry with beef, potato, swede and onion. Traditionally made as a portable meal for miners and still widely loved locally.
A split bread roll filled with local pilchards or sardines. It reflects St Ives fishing traditions and is a simple, classic Cornish seaside lunch.
A Celebrated beachside restaurant with refined Cornish seafood, tasting menus and sea views. Ideal for a special meal in St Ives.
A Popular seafood restaurant and fishmonger near the harbour, known for very fresh Cornish fish in a relaxed modern setting.
A Long-established bakery and cafe famous for Cornish pasties, saffron cake and other regional bakes. Good for a traditional quick bite.
Moderate for UK seaside resorts. Summer stays cost more, but dining and local buses are similar to other Cornwall tourist towns.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if not already added. Round up for taxis. Cafes usually do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Plymouth to St Ives by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at St Ives, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Plymouth to St Ives buses use the Plymouth, Coach Station to St Erth, A30 station pair. Use this guide to compare Plymouth and St Ives bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Plymouth, Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Plymouth, Coach Station. ATMs are available at Plymouth, Coach Station.
Ticket office support is available at Plymouth, Coach Station.
Available at Plymouth, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Plymouth, Coach Station: Station is accessible with ramps and level access.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need