Major city · United Kingdom
St IvesPorth Ia
Stay 2 nights, midweek, May–June or September: one beach-and-Tate day, one coast-path day. In August expect crowds and no parking.
St Ives is a small north-coast Cornwall town — harbour, four beaches, a Tate outpost and the Barbara Hepworth garden — that fills to capacity in summer. Two nights covers the galleries, Porthmeor and the walk to Carbis Bay; three nights adds a coast-path or Land's End day. Come by train via St Erth: driving into the centre is a mistake.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, parking), school holidays
- Airports
- NQY · EXT · LEQ
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for St Ives999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about St Ives, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA low-crime town; the real risks are traffic in the narrow lanes, crowded summer pavements, and the sea.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 112 emergency (eu-style) · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNQY Cornwall Newquay (About 48 km (30 mi) by A3075/A30, roughly 45 min by car; many flights are summer only and public transport onward is slow.).NQY Cornwall Newquay (About 30 mi (48 km) by A3075/A30, roughly 45 min by car; many flights are summer only and public transport onward is slow.).
- Getting aroundWalk everywhere in the centre — the streets are too narrow for a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealBurger or bistro dinner£15–30 (≈ US$20–40)
- BeerPint in a pub£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
- Museum or sight ticketSt Ives Museum adult / childClosed Nov–Feb.£3 (≈ US$4)50p
- Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B or small-hotel double, a night, per room£140 (≈ US$190)
- High-end bedB&B or small-hotel double, a night, per room£220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £60 (≈ US$80) · Mid £130 (≈ US$180) · High £220 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NQY Cornwall Newquay (About 48 km (30 mi) by A3075/A30, roughly 45 min by car; many flights are summer only and public transport onward is slow.) · EXT Exeter (Further but more year-round flights; hourly mainline trains from Exeter to St Erth.) · LEQ Land's End (Only flights to the Isles of Scilly; about 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Penzance.)NQY Cornwall Newquay (About 30 mi (48 km) by A3075/A30, roughly 45 min by car; many flights are summer only and public transport onward is slow.) · EXT Exeter (Further but more year-round flights; hourly mainline trains from Exeter to St Erth.) · LEQ Land's End (Only flights to the Isles of Scilly; about 6.2 mi (10 km) west of Penzance.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (16 rain days), driest Jun (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
St Ives: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
16 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
14 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
16 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
16 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk everywhere in the centre — the streets are too narrow for a car. The St Erth branch line shuttles every 30 min (12 min run, stops at Lelant Saltings and Carbis Bay); First Kernow bus A17 links St Ives and St Erth every 30 min. Buses A2 (Penzance via Marazion), A3 (Land's End via St Just and Zennor) and A1 (Penzance via Newlyn and Porthcurno) run hourly.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Penzance and St Michael's Mount
goDoor to door: About 45 min to Penzance
Bus A2 hourly via Lelant, St Erth and Marazion
Marazion for the Mount; check tide times for the causeway.
Land's End and St Just
goDoor to door: About 1 h to St Just
Bus A3 hourly along the B3306 via St Just, Pendeen and Zennor
A full day; the coast road is the point.
Newlyn and Porthcurno
goDoor to door: About 1 h from Penzance
Bus A1 from Penzance hourly via Newlyn, Lamorna and Porthcurno
Change at Penzance; Porthcurno for the Minack Theatre.
Hayle
cautionDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Branch line to St Erth, then bus T1 or A17
Three miles of sand; better with a car.
Lizard
overnightDoor to door: 2 h+
Train to Redruth or Truro, then bus
Too slow for a return day; sleep down there.
Porthleven
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Train to St Erth, then main line and bus
Harbour and food; easier with a car.
Helston
skipDoor to door: 1.5 h+
Train to Redruth, then bus
No compelling reason to day-trip from St Ives.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
St Ives town centre and The Warren
Walk to harbour, Porthminster and the Tate; narrow lanes, no through driving.
Porthmeor and The Island side
North-facing beach and the headland; the Island car park usually has spaces, 10 min walk to the harbour.
Carbis Bay
Two miles south; quieter, sandy beach, branch-line train and the Tesco supermarket.
Lelant and Hayle
Cheaper, car-friendly bases on the main line with Park & Ride at Lelant Saltings.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £60–90 (≈ US$80–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- £110–170 (≈ US$150–250) excl. bed
- High
- £200 (≈ US$300)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or small-hotel double1 × 2 nights × £140 | £280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £130 | £520 |
| Branch line St Erth → St Ives, one way2 × £4 · check | £8 |
| Ride Cornwall Ranger day ticket (off-peak trains and most buses)2 × £13 | £26 |
| First Kernow Day Rider (bus only)2 × £12 | £24 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £15 | £30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £89 |
| Trip total≈ £244 per person per day, bed included | £977≈ US$1,400 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Cornwall excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Beach café lunch | £10–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Burger or bistro dinner | £15–30 (≈ US$20–40) |
| Pint in a pub | £5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9) |
| Tate St Ives adult / combined with Hepworth£1 off with a same-day public transport ticket; check current prices. | £10.50 (≈ US$14) / £14.50 (≈ US$20) |
| St Ives Museum adult / childClosed Nov–Feb. | £3 (≈ US$4) / 50p |
| Leach Pottery museum adultUnder 18s free. | £8 (≈ US$11) |
| Town-centre car park, per daySmall and fills early. | £3–5 (≈ US$4–7) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking in the centre fills very early; use the Island car park or Park & Ride at Lelant Saltings.
- Do not attempt street parking, even with a disabled badge, unless your accommodation confirms it.
- The last branch train is around 22:00 and the last A17 bus around 18:30 — check before a late day out.The last branch train is around 10:00 PM and the last A17 bus around 6:30 PM — check before a late day out.
- Swimming: Porthmeor faces the Atlantic with surf and currents; Porthminster is the sheltered, family beach.
- Mobile reception is patchy; use pub and café Wi-Fi.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 999
- Emergency (EU-style)
- 112
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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St IvesPorth Ia
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Emergency999
- Emergency (EU-style)112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Cornwall; the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland have embassies or high commissions in London. Check your own country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- St Erth → St Ives, branch train: about £4 (≈ US$6), 12 min, every 30 min (check)
- Bus A17 St Erth → St Ives: 10–15 min, every 30 min, last around 18:30 (check)10–15 min, every 30 min, last around 6:30 PM (check)
- Ride Cornwall Ranger day ticket: £13 (≈ US$18) adult, off-peak trains and most buses
- Taxi St Ives → St Erth: £15–20 (≈ US$20–30) (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Please — Please
- Where is the beach? — Where is the beach?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is this seat free? — Is this seat free?
Cornish (Porth Ia) is a revived language; English is spoken everywhere.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for St Ives. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, parking), school holidays · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for NQY and EXT: last branch train and A17 bus field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: harbour and The Warren, Porthmeor and The Island, Porthminster and the station, Carbis Bay.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Tate St Ives, Hepworth garden, St Ives Museum, Leach Pottery) and eat pages with last orders.
- Summer and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialSt Ives official visitor site
- officialNational Rail — St Ives station
- officialNational Rail — St Erth station
- officialTate St Ives
- secondaryWikivoyage: St Ives, revision 5300898 (CC BY-SA 4.0)