Planning a sunny day out at the marina or heading to the English Riviera for a staycation? Trains to Torquay take half an hour from Exeter, an hour from Plymouth, or around three hours from London, so you’ll be enjoying the harbour full of yachts and the wide sandy beaches that give this town a distinctly Mediterranean feel in no time.
We’re here to be your one-stop-shop for cheap train tickets, times and info about how to get to Torquay by train. Famous as the setting for classic TV comedy Fawlty Towers and as the childhood home of the best-selling novelist of all time, Agatha Christie, Torquay remains a hotspot on the UK holiday map. If you want to get straight to booking, start a search for times and tickets above, or keep reading to find out more about trains to Torquay.
How to buy cheap train tickets to Torquay
There are a few ways you can save money on train travel this summer. Some of our top tips for booking cheap train tickets to Torquay include:
Travel Off-Peak
Tickets are usually cheaper to Torquay if you travel during Off-Peak hours. This is normally outside of rush hours during Monday to Friday, and anytime during the weekend. We’ll highlight whether a journey is during Off-Peak train times as your search for tickets.
Book in advance
Train tickets to Torquay normally go on sale around 12 weeks in advance, usually at their cheapest price. If Advance train tickets aren’t on sale yet, why not sign up to our Ticket Alert tool, and we’ll email you as soon as you can buy tickets for your chosen date.
Save up to 1/3 with a Railcard
Railcards can save you to 1/3 on the price of eligible train tickets to Torquay. Costing just £30 for one year, it doesn’t take long to make your money back either. Find out if you qualify for one and buy a Railcard online with us today.
Save up to 34% with GroupSave
If you’re heading to Torquay with three to nine of your favourite pals, we’ll let you know if you qualify for GroupSave when you search. This discount allows groups that are travelling together to save up to 34% on rail fares.
Split your train tickets
Splitting your journey into several sections and buying tickets for each part can sometimes be cheaper than buying a single ticket on longer journeys. Our ticket-splitting app feature, SplitSave, does the hard part for you.
Why not check out our train deals and discounts guide to discover the latest offers from train companies you can book with us.
Popular train routes to Torquay
Travelling by train is the fastest, easiest and greenest way to get to Torquay from the other UK destinations. CrossCountry and GWR services run frequently to Torquay. Have a look at our table below for more information about the most popular routes to Torquay, or start your search for a different station in our Journey Planner at the top of the page.
| Route | Fastest journey | Train operator |
|---|---|---|
| London to Torquay | 3h | GWR |
| Exeter to Torquay | 32m | CrossCountry, GWR |
| Plymouth to Torquay | 57m | GWR |
| Birmingham to Torquay | 3h 2m | CrossCountry |
| Bristol to Torquay | 1h 32m | CrossCountry, GWR |
The nearest beaches to Torquay train station
There are two main beaches close to Torquay train station, these are:
- Hollicombe beach: It's around a 22-minute walk to the beach from the station. Head out of the station towards the sea, then turn left onto Torbay Road and keep walking until you reach the beach.
- Meadfoot beach: It takes around 40 minutes to walk from the station to this beach, or it's a quick 8-minute taxi ride.
Visiting Torquay
From the train station, Torbay Road sweeps around the bay offering lovely views of the sea before reaching the hustle and bustle of the harbour and the town's main shopping streets. Treat yourself to an ice cream or a cuppa in a seafront cafe, tuck into traditional fish and chips or enjoy the catch of the day, cooked to perfection in a local seafood restaurant.
If you're looking to get out onto the water, there's a wide range of day trips, tours and water sports to choose from. Whether you want a leisurely trip across the bay or fancy getting a bit more active with paddleboarding, diving, sailing or kayaking, head to the harbour to book your adventure.
Back on dry land, you can make the most of the outdoors by taking a turn in the Royal Terrace Gardens - known locally as Rock Walk - or along the South West Coast Path and Agatha Christie Mile. Even though the focus is on fun in the sun, Torquay is not short of indoor attractions.
Try exploring Kents Cavern, a fascinating prehistoric cave system, or discover all about the animals and habitats of British waters at the Living Coasts coastal zoo and aquarium.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main train station in Torquay?
The main train station in Torquay is Torquay railway station. Check out live arrivals and station facilities for Torquay railway station.
Which train companies run trains to Torquay?
The primary operator of trains to Torquay is GWR. CrossCountry also run services to Torquay.
How do I find cheap tickets to Torquay?
It's easy to bag cheap train tickets to Torquay. We'd recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can. Read our cheap train tickets guide to find out more.
Are trains to Torquay running?
There are frequent daily services to Torquay, although there may be fewer services on weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Torquay.