The distance between Penzance and Swanage is around 316km (196 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 3h 35m.
We've found 4 different ways to get from Penzance to Swanage by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Swanage → Penzance if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to Castle Cary then Upwey and then to Poole.
Multiple train operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the train to Exeter St Davids and then to Axminster then take the bus to Weymouth Bus Garage then take the train to Poole.
Multiple operators
There are several options for getting from Penzance to Swanage by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the train and then take the bus which costs around £83 ($100) and will take around 7h 25m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 3h 35m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £55 ($65).
The distance between Penzance and Swanage is around 316km (196 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 259km (161 miles)
It takes around 5h 50m to get from Penzance and Swanage by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 35m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Penzance to Swanage is to drive which takes around 3h 35m and will set you back approx £55 ($65).
The cheapest way to travel between Penzance and Swanage, if you exclude driving, is to take the train and then take the bus which will typically cost around £83 ($100) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Penzance and Swanage. It typically takes around 5h 50m and departs twice a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Penzance to Swanage. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Castle Cary, Upwey and Poole. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 5h 50m.
Great Western Railway, South Western Railway and CrossCountry run train services between Penzance and Swanage. Trains depart twice a week and will take around 5h 50m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Penzance and Swanage. We recommend that you drive to Swanage. instead which will take 3h 35m.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Penzance to Swanage. We recommend that you take the train to Castle Cary then Upwey and then to Poole. instead which will take 5h 50m.
The closest major airport to Swanage is Bournemouth Airport (BOH) (BOH) which is approximately 21km (13 miles) from Swanage. Southampton Airport (SOU) (SOU) and Bristol Airport (BRS) (BRS) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Penzance and Swanage. The distance is around 316km (196 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 35m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Penzance to Swanage is to take the train which takes, on average, 5h 50m and will usually cost around £145 ($175).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train + 1 similar | 5h 50m | £145($175) | twice a week | 437km (271 miles) |
Train via Reading | 7h 5m | £150($180) | every 3 hours | 574km (356 miles) |
Train and Bus | 7h 25m | £83($100) | 4 times a day | 391km (243 miles) |
Drive | 3h 35m | £55($65) | on demand | 316km (196 miles) |
South Western Railway
First in Wessex Dorset & South Somerset
The following major airports near Swanage offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.