🐾
🚇
Getting Around Salcombe with a Dog
🇬🇧Salcombe, United Kingdom·Updated 27 July 2026
Salcombe has no railway station, so most dog owners arrive by car or by bus from the nearest mainline at Totnes, then leave the car behind. Once you are there the town is compact and walkable, and the little dog-friendly ferries across the estuary are the nicest way to reach the beaches and coast path on the far side.
| Mode | Policy | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| National Rail (nearest station Totnes) | There is no station in Salcombe itself. Under the National Rail Conditions of Travel, up to two dogs travel free with each passenger, on a lead or in a carrier, and not on the seats. Take the mainline to Totnes, from where a bus runs down to Salcombe. | 💡 |
| Salcombe and South Sands ferries | The Salcombe to East Portlemouth passenger ferry is a five-minute hop across the estuary to Mill Bay and the eastern coast path, and well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome. The seasonal South Sands ferry links the town with South Sands beach, and dogs on a lead may cross the sand to board it even during the summer beach ban. | 💡 |
| Local buses and taxis | The Tally Ho 164 bus links Totnes station with Kingsbridge and Salcombe, and other buses connect Kingsbridge and Plymouth. Dogs are generally accepted at the driver's discretion, so keep the dog on a lead and off the seats. Taxis are also at the driver's discretion, so mention the dog when you book. | 💡 |
Arriving in Salcombe
Salcombe sits at the mouth of the Kingsbridge estuary in the far south of Devon and has no railway station of its own. By rail you take the mainline to Totnes, then the Tally Ho 164 bus down through Kingsbridge to Salcombe, with dogs free on the train and at the driver's discretion on the bus. The nearest airport is Exeter (EXT), about an hour and a half away by road; drivers should note that town-centre parking is very limited in summer, so the park-and-ride above the town is the calmer option with a dog.
Around town and across the estuary
Once you are in, Salcombe is best explored on foot: Fore Street, the harbour and Whitestrand waterfront are all a short, if hilly, stroll apart. To reach the eastern beaches and coast path, hop on the dog-friendly Salcombe to East Portlemouth ferry, and use the South Sands ferry or sea tractor to reach South Sands. In July and August the narrow streets get very crowded, so early mornings and evenings are the calmest times to walk a dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get to Salcombe by train with a dog?
Not directly, as Salcombe has no station. Take the train to Totnes, where up to two dogs travel free with each passenger, then the Tally Ho 164 bus down through Kingsbridge to Salcombe. Dogs are usually accepted on the bus at the driver's discretion, on a lead.
Are the Salcombe ferries dog-friendly?
Yes. Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome on the Salcombe to East Portlemouth passenger ferry, a five-minute crossing to Mill Bay and the eastern coast path, and on the seasonal South Sands ferry. Dogs on a lead may even cross the South Sands sand to board during the summer beach ban.
Pet-Friendly Hotels in Salcombe
Our top-rated pet-friendly hotels, handpicked and verified.
Brightham House - Exclusively for Adults
★★★★★ · 9.8/10
€120/night
Driftwood Lodge
★★★★ · 9.4/10
€120/night
Charborough House Apt 3
★★★★★ · 9/10
€120/night
More Salcombe guides
Pet-friendly destinations nearby
Looking for a place to stay elsewhere? These destinations near Salcombe also welcome your dog.