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Getting Around St Ives with a Dog
๐ฌ๐งSt Ives, United KingdomยทUpdated 25 July 2026
St Ives is compact and walkable, and the best way to arrive with a dog is the little St Ives Bay branch line, which hugs the coast from St Erth and takes dogs free of charge. The town centre is steep, narrow and often car-clogged in summer, so leaving the car at a park-and-ride and taking the train in is the smart, dog-friendly move.
| Mode | Policy | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| National Rail (St Ives Bay Line) | 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. The scenic St Ives Bay branch line runs from the mainline at St Erth into St Ives roughly twice an hour and is one of the most beautiful short rail rides in Britain. | ๐ก |
| St Ives seal boat trips | The Seal Island and Godrevy wildlife boat trips from St Ives harbour welcome dogs, and dogs go free. Keep your dog on a lead on deck; on calmer days it is an easy, memorable outing that no beach restriction touches. | ๐ก |
| Local buses and taxis | First Kernow buses linking St Ives, Carbis Bay, Penzance and the coast generally accept dogs at the driver's discretion; keep the dog on a lead and off the seats. Taxis are also at the driver's discretion, so mention the dog when booking. | ๐ก |
Arriving in St Ives
St Ives is at the far west of Cornwall. By rail you take the mainline to St Erth, then change onto the short St Ives Bay branch line, all dog-friendly and free for up to two dogs. The nearest airport is Newquay (NQY), about an hour away by road; drivers should note the town centre parking is very limited in summer, so the park-and-ride stations at St Erth and Lelant Saltings are the stress-free option with a dog.
Around town on foot
Once you are in, St Ives is best explored on foot: the harbour, the old Downlong lanes, the beaches and The Island headland are all a short, if hilly, walk apart. The steep cobbled streets get very crowded in July and August, so early mornings and evenings are the calmest times to walk a dog, and they also line up neatly with the beach dog rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take my dog on the train to St Ives?
Yes. Up to two dogs travel free with each passenger on National Rail, on a lead or in a carrier. You change at St Erth onto the scenic St Ives Bay branch line, which runs about twice an hour and is a lovely, dog-friendly way to arrive.
Is it better to drive or take the train into St Ives with a dog?
The train, in summer. Town-centre parking is very limited and the streets clog up, so most people leave the car at the St Erth or Lelant Saltings park-and-ride and take the dog-friendly branch line the last few minutes into town.
Pet-Friendly Hotels in St Ives
Our top-rated pet-friendly hotels, handpicked and verified.
Trevose Harbour House
โ โ โ โ โ ยท 9.8/10
โฌ120/night
High quality detached house with parking St. Ives
โ โ โ โ โ ยท 9.8/10
โฌ120/night
The Observatory - Panoramic Sea Views - Beach 100m
โ โ โ โ โ ยท 9.7/10
โฌ120/night
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