London to Looe by train
Take GWR from London Paddington to Liskeard (roughly 3h45-4h; a few direct trains a day, others need a change). Then change to the Looe Valley Line branch, which runs from its own platform at Liskeard and takes about 30 minutes to Looe. Allow about 4h30-5h door to door from Paddington.
Calls at Coombe Junction, St Keyne Wishing Well, Causeland and Sandplace. Trains run roughly hourly Mon-Sat all year (13 a day in the autumn 2026 timetable: first 06:55, last about 21:15 from Liskeard). Sundays have about 8 trains from spring to early November only; there are no Sunday trains from 9 Nov to 12 Dec 2026 and none on 25-26 Dec. Big spring tides plus storms have closed the line temporarily.
Looe station is on the East Looe side, a few minutes' walk from the bridge. A Devon & Cornwall rail ranger, or the branch's own Rail Ale Trail, can make a day trip cheap.
Driving to Looe
Leave the A38 Devon Expressway at Trerulefoot roundabout (from Plymouth/east) and follow the A387 south-west through Hessenford to Looe. From the west or north, leave the A38 at Dobwalls/Liskeard and take the B3254 then A387 via Sandplace. The A387 continues to Polperro. Summer queues build on the A38 at the Tamar Bridge and around Liskeard, so travel early.
| From | Approx. distance | Approx. drive |
|---|---|---|
| Plymouth to Looe | 20 miles | 40 min |
| Callington to Looe | 16 miles | 35 min |
| Launceston to Looe | 30 miles | 50 min |
| Newquay to Looe | 40 miles | 1 hr |
| Port Isaac to Looe | 40 miles | 1 hr |
| Falmouth to Looe | 50 miles | 1 hr 15 min |
| Torquay to Looe | 55 miles | 1 hr 20 min |
| Exeter to Looe | 62 miles | 1 hr 20 min |
| Bristol to Looe | 140 miles | 2 hr 45 min |
| London to Looe | 250 miles | 5 hr |
Distances and times are rounded estimates for normal traffic. Visit Looe gives Plymouth about 40 min, Newquay about 1 hr and London under 5 hr; the others were not checked against a route planner. Expect longer on summer Saturdays.
Buses to Looe
- 10 (Go Cornwall Bus): Plymouth - Saltash - Landrake - Looe - Polperro
- 73 / 73A (Go Cornwall Bus): Liskeard - Looe - Polperro (73A to Pelynt)
- 77 (Go Cornwall Bus): Liskeard - Dobwalls - Pelynt - West Looe - Polperro (revised July 2026 for the new Liskeard bus station)
- 481 (Go Cornwall Bus): Looe - Polruan (for the foot ferry to Fowey)
- 171 (Stagecoach South West): Trerulefoot - East Looe - Bodmin (college service, limited)
Buses link Looe with Polperro often enough to walk the coast path one way and ride back. National Express coaches reach Plymouth and Liskeard, where you can connect. Check Traveline or bustimes.org for current timetables.
Arriving by car? See parking in Looe for Millpool prices and postcodes.
By train
Travel to Liskeard and change for the Looe Valley Line. Check the current GWR timetable, service updates and Passenger Assist before departure.
By car
Narrow streets and busy periods make a long-stay car park plus walking route more practical for many visitors. Do not promise journey times without live traffic.
Local travel
Bus routes and seasonal services change. Verify both outward and return legs, especially for evening or rural stops.
Quick answers
How do I get from London to Looe by train?
Take a GWR train from London Paddington to Liskeard (roughly 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours), then change to the Looe Valley Line branch for the 30-minute ride to Looe. Allow about four and a half to five hours door to door, and check Sunday services in winter.
How far is Looe from Plymouth?
Looe is roughly 20 miles from Plymouth, about 40 min by car in normal traffic. Allow longer on summer Saturdays and around the A38 at Liskeard and the Tamar Bridge.
How far is Looe from Callington?
Looe is roughly 16 miles from Callington, about 35 min by car in normal traffic. Allow longer on summer Saturdays and around the A38 at Liskeard and the Tamar Bridge.
How far is Looe from Launceston?
Looe is roughly 30 miles from Launceston, about 50 min by car in normal traffic. Allow longer on summer Saturdays and around the A38 at Liskeard and the Tamar Bridge.
How far is Looe from Newquay?
Looe is roughly 40 miles from Newquay, about 1 hr by car in normal traffic. Allow longer on summer Saturdays and around the A38 at Liskeard and the Tamar Bridge.
How far is Looe from Port Isaac?
Looe is roughly 40 miles from Port Isaac, about 1 hr by car in normal traffic. Allow longer on summer Saturdays and around the A38 at Liskeard and the Tamar Bridge.
How far is Looe from Falmouth?
Looe is roughly 50 miles from Falmouth, about 1 hr 15 min by car in normal traffic. Allow longer on summer Saturdays and around the A38 at Liskeard and the Tamar Bridge.
How far is Looe from Torquay?
Looe is roughly 55 miles from Torquay, about 1 hr 20 min by car in normal traffic. Allow longer on summer Saturdays and around the A38 at Liskeard and the Tamar Bridge.