Travel and Local Information

Travel Information

Air

For details of flights to and from the UK see, for example, the British Airways web site. For details of flights between Plymouth and other UK regional airports see AirSouthWest.

Plymouth Airport

Plymouth City Airport is about four miles (approx. 6.5km) to the North of the city centre on the A386. Details about transfers from the airport are available in the Plymouth Airport Guide or by phone on +44 (0)870 241 6830.

Bristol Airport

Serving most European and International Destinations. Flight links available from Bristol to Plymouth along with rail and bus links from Bristol. Visit the airport website.

Exeter Airport

Flights from most European destinations in close proximity to Plymouth. Visit the airport website.

Gatwick Airport

If you arrive at London Gatwick, you can take an AirSouthWest flight to Plymouth City Airport. You can also travel by train (or coach) from Gatwick to Plymouth.

Heathrow Airport

If you arrive at London Heathrow, you can travel by train (or coach) to Plymouth. There are two ways of travelling by train: first you take the Rail-Air link bus to Reading Rail station and then get a train from there; alternatively, you take the Heathrow Express train to London Paddington station and get a train from there. It is worth noting that trains leaving London or Reading at peak times can be very expensive. If you can get a Saver or SuperSaver ticket, it will be cheaper.

Coach & Train

Plymouth Railway Station and Coach Station is a few minutes walk from the City Centre and Conference Venue as indicated on the map above.
If you are travelling by coach or train then the following web sites may be useful - National Express, TheTrainLine and Network Rail.

It is strongly recommended that you confirm train times and services with the rail enquiries phone line. Tel +44 (0) 8457 48 49 50.

Getting from London Paddington and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Plymouth by train:

From LHR either take the Heathrow Express train to London Paddington and then take a train to Plymouth, or take the RailAir link bus to Reading railway station and then a train to Plymouth. The former option is the more expensive. Try not to pay full fare; e.g. try to buy a Saver or a SuperSaver ticket. Note that certain discounted tickets (Saver, SuperSaver etc.) are both restricted in availability and validity. You are advised to check before booking.

Car

Follow Signs for the City Centre

• From Exeter: Leave the A38 at March Mills interchange and take the A374
• From Cornwall: Leave the A38 at Manadon Interchange and take the A386

Ferry

Brittany Ferries operate services between, Roscoff/Cherbourg (France)and Plymouth as well as Santander (Spain) and Plymouth.
For information about services please visit their website.
The site can be viewed in English, French, German, Italian or Spanish.

Other Useful Links

Car Hire

• Holiday Autos
• Hertz Car Rental
• Avis Car Rental

London Information and Accommodation

• London Town
• Transport for London
• Stay in London

More Travel Links

• Visit Plymouth

News and Weather

• Weather for Plymouth
• This is Plymouth
• BBC News

Plymouth and Surrounding area

Plymouth is a vibrant city and there is much to do both in the city and in the surrounding area with both the coast and stunning Dartmoor on the doorstep. Below are some places which may be of interest:

• Plymouth Barbican, famous historical area of Plymouth, a must see
• National Marine Aquarium, with Europe’s deepest tank.
• Gin Distillery, Discover gin’s colourful history and over 200 years of distilling at Black Friars Distillery – the working home of Plymouth Gin since 1793
• Plymouth Hoe
• Tinside Lido a fully restored Art Deco outdoor bathing area
• Smeaton’s Tower Originally built on the Eddystone reef this was dismantled in the late 19th century and now stands on Plymouth Hoe.
• Mount Edgcumbe, Former home of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe set in Grade 1 listed gardens with 865 acres of country park.
• Saltram House, Buckland Abbey and Cotehele - Historic homes preserved for visitors by the National Trust.
• Dartmoor National Park the largest area of wilderness in the south
• Eden Project, a former china clay quarry the biomes of Eden are now famous around the world and this is the South West’s top attraction.
• Lost Gardens of Heligan, beautiful gardens restored to former glory, Heligan is a magical place.