Getting to Dartmouth
How to reach Dartmouth by train, ferry, bus, or car.
Nearest railway station
Dartmouth has no National Rail station. The nearest is Totnes (TOT), on Great Western Railway's main line between Exeter and Plymouth, about 12km away in a straight line and roughly 22km by road. From Totnes, Stagecoach's number 7 bus (Exeter to Totnes and Dartmouth) stops on the station forecourt, at Totnes Rail Station Forecourt (Stop A), so there is no walk between train and bus; it takes about 38 minutes to Dartmouth Pontoon, on the Embankment in the middle of town. The second way in is from Paignton (PGN): the heritage Dartmouth Steam Railway runs from Queen's Park station in Paignton to Kingswear, directly across the river, and the passenger ferry brings you over to Dartmouth in five minutes. Kingswear is only a station on that heritage line.
- Nearest station
- Totnes (TOT), Great Western Railway main line; about 12km in a straight line, about 22km by road
- Bus from Totnes station
- Stagecoach 7 from Totnes Rail Station Forecourt (Stop A) to Dartmouth Pontoon (Stop A), about 38 minutes
- How often
- Roughly hourly in the daytime Monday to Saturday on the timetable read on 16 October 2026; on Sundays only two buses each way
- Second option
- Paignton (PGN), then the Dartmouth Steam Railway to Kingswear and the passenger ferry across
- In Dartmouth
- No station. Buses stop at Dartmouth Pontoon on the Embankment and Mayor's Avenue
Tips
- •On the Sunday timetable read on 16 October 2026 the 7 left Totnes station at 11.28 and 16.29 and left Dartmouth at 12.15 and 17.15: plan around those or take a taxi.
- •The last weekday bus from Totnes station to Dartmouth on that timetable left at 19.09.
- •On the operator's timetable read on 17 October 2026 the steam trains run daily to 31 October, with no ordinary trains in November and December, only the Christmas Train of Lights from Paignton; check its timetable before relying on it.
- •Do not confuse this town with Dartmouth in Nova Scotia or Dartmouth in Massachusetts when booking tickets or searching journey planners.
Useful Links
Ferries across the Dart
Three ferries cross between Dartmouth and Kingswear, and which one you want depends on whether you have a car. The passenger ferry from the Town Jetty to Kingswear, run by the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company, connects with the steam trains and runs every 15 minutes or so, a five-minute crossing. The Lower Ferry is South Hams District Council's car and foot ferry, a float pushed by a tug, from the slip at the bottom of Lower Street to Kingswear; it runs every day of the year except Christmas Day. The Higher Ferry is a cable ferry from the north end of town by Sandquay, carrying the A379 across the river; it takes contactless cards only, no cash. From Easter to the end of October the small Castle Ferry also runs from the South Embankment downriver to Stumpy Steps below Dartmouth Castle.
- Passenger ferry
- Town Jetty to Kingswear; about every 15 minutes, five-minute crossing; Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company, 01803 752370
- Lower Ferry
- Cars and foot passengers, Lower Street slip to Kingswear; Monday to Saturday first ferry from Kingswear 07.00, Sunday 08.00, last from Dartmouth 22.55; not Christmas Day (Dart Harbour's summary; check the council's page)
- Higher Ferry
- Cable ferry for cars and foot passengers by Sandquay; Monday to Saturday 06.30 to 22.50, Sundays and bank holidays 08.00 to 22.50; contactless only
- Castle Ferry
- South Embankment to Stumpy Steps, Dartmouth Castle; Easter to the end of October (the operator's last day in 2026 is Saturday 31 October), boats on demand from 10.00; in October the last boat leaves Dartmouth at 15.45 and the castle at 16.00, by the operator's site
- Higher Ferry refit 2027
- Due to close Monday 18 January to 1 February 2027 inclusive for maintenance and inspection, on the operator's preliminary dates; check nearer the time
Tips
- •Steam railway tickets include the passenger ferry; allow 30 minutes between boat and train, as the operator asks.
- •Dart Harbour lists later Higher Ferry running during Regatta, last from Kingswear 23.50 on the Thursday to Saturday, but the operator's own timetable shows its usual last crossing for those days; check with the ferry before relying on a late crossing.
- •Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day have their own Higher Ferry hours; the Lower Ferry does not run on Christmas Day.
Buses
Stagecoach South West runs the local buses. The 7 is the main link, from Exeter through Newton Abbot and Totnes to Dartmouth, ending at Dartmouth Pontoon on the Embankment. Local route 90 runs between the town and Townstal at the top of the hill, and the 91 shuttles between the park and ride on the edge of town and Dartmouth Pontoon. On the Kingswear side, the 120 runs from Paignton bus station to Kingswear and the 18 from Brixham, both a ferry hop from Dartmouth. Timetables change with the seasons, so check before you travel.
- 7
- Exeter, Newton Abbot, Totnes (including the railway station forecourt) and Dartmouth; Stagecoach South West
- 18
- Brixham to Kingswear
- 90
- Dartmouth to Townstal, the upper town
- 91
- Dartmouth park and ride to Dartmouth Pontoon
- 120
- Paignton bus station to Kingswear, for the ferry across
Tips
- •Dartmouth Pontoon (Stop A) on the Embankment is the stop for the town centre, the ferries and the boats.
- •Sunday services on the 7 are thin.
Useful Links
Driving and parking
From the A38 between Exeter and Plymouth, the A3122 brings you down into Dartmouth; from Torbay, the A379 reaches the river at Kingswear and crosses on the Higher or Lower Ferry. Parking in the old town is tight, especially from May to September when much of the on-street parking is limited to one or two hours, so most visitors use the park and ride at the top of the town on the A3122, where the 91 bus runs down to the Embankment. In town, Mayor's Avenue car park is the main pay car park, and the Old Market car park is free but closed to cars on market days. South Hams District Council takes parking payments through PayByPhone.
- From the A38
- A3122 into Dartmouth
- From Torbay
- A379 to Kingswear, then the Higher or Lower Ferry
- Park and ride
- Top of town on the A3122, with the 91 bus to Dartmouth Pontoon
- In town
- Mayor's Avenue car park (pay); Old Market car park (free, not on market days); Dartmouth Castle car park (small)
- Payment
- PayByPhone for South Hams District Council car parks, since 12 January 2025 (Discover Dartmouth)
Tips
- •Off-season, from October to April, on-street parking on the North Embankment is free, by the Rockfish restaurant's guide to parking; read the signs.
- •Hotels in the old town mostly have no car park: unload, then park.
Useful Links
From the Airport
Live options for reaching the village from the nearest airports. Times and fares are a guide and can change with traffic or operator schedules.
Exeter AirportEXT
57 km away- Duration
- About 1 hour
- Cost
- Fuel and parking
57km by a routing estimate; slower in summer traffic.
- Duration
- Allow 3 hours or more
- Cost
- Bus fares
The 7 runs from Exeter Bus Station through Totnes to Dartmouth; check the airport to city connection on the day.
Operator: Stagecoach South West
Bristol AirportBRS
158 km away- Duration
- About 2 hours 15 minutes
- Cost
- Fuel and parking
158km by a routing estimate.
- Duration
- Allow 4 hours or more
- Cost
- Bus and rail fares
At least two changes; use a journey planner.
Operator: Great Western Railway
Parking
Parking options in and around Dartmouth. On busy weekends, arriving early is recommended.
Dartmouth park and ride
At the top of the town off the A3122, next to the Health and Wellbeing Centre; the 91 bus runs down to Dartmouth Pontoon. The recommended option in summer, by the museum, the Bayards Cove Inn and Discover Dartmouth.
Mayor's Avenue car park
Check the tariff board or PayByPhone. South Hams District Council car park in the town centre.
Old Market car park
Free but closed to cars on market days, by Discover Dartmouth and Rockfish; read the signs.
Dartmouth Castle car park
Small South Hams District Council car park at the castle, TQ6 0JN.
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