Trains from London Paddington to Plymouth from £17.40*

Are you looking to travel by direct train from London to Plymouth? Check out our guide below for everything you need to know about getting from the UK’s capital to Devon’s southwest coast to explore this charming city and its maritime heritage.

How do you get from London to Plymouth by train?

The most convenient, direct way to get from London to Plymouth is to take one of the services operated by Great Western Railway (GWR) from London Paddington station.

Starting your journey to Plymouth at London Paddington

One of the city’s main transport hubs, London Paddington is a great starting point for journeys to South West England, Wales and Heathrow Airport. There are lots of transport options for getting to London Paddington, including:

• London Underground - Bakerloo, Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines all stop at London Paddington station
• Elizabeth Line
• Heathrow Express

Got time before you travel? Make the most of the wide variety of shopping and eating outlets at the station and in nearby Paddington Square. At London Paddington station, you’ll find café options such as Costa and Caffe Nero, eating outlets such as Leon and Upper Crust and shops including Oliver Bonas, Lush and Sainsbury’s Local. For the full list, check out the station retail directory. Meanwhile, at nearby Paddington Square, enjoy some retail therapy at Kate Spade or Mango, or grab a bite from the street food options available at Market Halls.

Paddington Station also has a range of facilities available before you board your train. This includes accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, seating areas, ATMs and public Wi-Fi. There’s also a waiting room near platform 12 (open 07:00 – 22:00 every day).

For passengers travelling from Paddington to Plymouth in GWR First Class, there’s a First Class Lounge available on platform 1 (open Monday to Friday: 05:00 - 23:30; Saturday: 05:00 - 21:00; Sunday: 10:00 - 23:30). The lounge is available to First Class ticket holders from up to 2 hours before your train departs and includes:

• Complimentary drinks and snacks
• Wi-Fi
• Charging points
• Live TV and train information
• Comfortable seating

There’s a choice of a modern bar area or Victorian-style lounge, so you can find what suits you best as you relax and recharge before your journey to Plymouth.

Platform 1 isn’t just home to the GWR First Class lounge but also the location of the bronze Paddington Bear statue designed by Marcus Cornish. You’ll find the famous bear just by the station clock. If you’re looking to purchase your own Paddington-themed items, head over to the Paddington Bear™ shop in the station.

How long is the journey from Paddington to Plymouth?

The train from London Paddington to Plymouth usually takes between 3h 10m and 3h 50m, although the fastest services can cover the distance of around 191 miles in just 3h 0m. Services depart London Paddington approximately once an hour, with up to 24 services operating each day.

On the way, most GWR services from Paddington to Plymouth will stop at:

• Reading
• Exeter St Davids
• Newton Abbot

Services may also call at Castle Cary, Westbury, Pewsey, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway and Totnes.

How much does the train from London to Plymouth cost?

The train journey from London to Plymouth can cost as little as £17.40, with average prices of around £37.00. One of the best ways to get the most affordable fare is to book your tickets in advance. Head on over to our journey planner to discover the journey times and fares available for your preferred dates.

What to expect on board your train from London to Plymouth

While onboard, you can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and an onboard catering service featuring a selection of drinks, sandwiches and snacks. For a more luxurious experience while travelling from London to Plymouth, why not take advantage of the onboard Pullman Dining restaurant? This fine dining option is available on selected services Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) and includes a two-course or three-course meal crafted using produce from the regions GWR serves. The price is £38 per person for a two-course option or £46 for three courses, be sure to check out the full menu to see the delights in store.

Reservations are only available for First Class ticket holders, meanwhile, Standard Class passengers can check for availability when boarding.

Travelling First Class from London to Plymouth with GWR

If you opt to upgrade on your journey from Paddington to Plymouth, you’ll enjoy:

• Access to the complimentary GWR First Class menu
• The option to book a Pullman Dining table up to two weeks in advance on applicable routes. (Please note that there is an additional fee for the Pullman Dining experience)
• Extra legroom and reclining extra-wide seats
• Enhanced Wi-Fi
• Access to power and USB sockets at your seat

Taking the Night Riviera Sleeper train from London to Plymouth

GWR offer an overnight sleeper service from London Paddington right through to Penzance, stopping at Plymouth on the way. The Night Riviera Sleeper train departs at 23:45 (Monday to Friday) or 23:50 (Sundays) and will have you in Plymouth before 6 in the morning. There’s a choice of standard seats or single and twin cabins.

Cabin bookings include:

• Use of lounges and showers at London Paddington
• An onboard complimentary light breakfast.

Passengers on the Night Riviera Sleeper train from London to Plymouth can also enjoy the lounge bar, which serves drinks and snacks throughout the journey.

Arriving at Plymouth Station from London Paddington

Plymouth Station is conveniently located in the heart of the city. If you’re heading to the University of Plymouth, the campus is just a short walk away. Plymouth’s range of shops and restaurants, along with waterfront attractions such as Smeaton’s Tower are also accessible on foot from the station, or you can hop on one of the frequent bus services into the city centre.

While enjoying your getaway in Plymouth, don’t miss the largest aquarium in the UK, dinner at one of the city’s marinas or a historical extravaganza at the Mayflower Museum. Plymouth is also ideally located for exploring Devon’s natural beauty, complete with sandy beaches and Dartmoor National Park.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.