Plymouth is about sixty miles from Barnstaple and, by road, around an hour and forty minutes: down the A386 through Great Torrington and Okehampton, then over the western edge of Dartmoor to the city. By train it means changing at Exeter and usually takes longer.
Most of our Plymouth journeys are for a specific reason: a hospital appointment at Derriford, a ferry from the port, a student moving in or out of the university, or a mainline train from Plymouth station. In each case the time you need to arrive is fixed, so we plan the journey around it.
Derriford Hospital appointments
Some specialist treatment for North Devon patients takes place at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, and a long drive there and back is the last thing you want on the day of an appointment. Give us the appointment time, not a pickup time, and we work back from it with an allowance for the hospital site, which is large and can be slow to get around.
If you need to come home the same day, we can book the return at the same time and wait or come back, depending on how long the appointment is expected to take.
The ferry port
Ferries to France and Spain sail from the port at Millbay in Plymouth. Foot passengers have to check in well before departure, and missing that window means missing the boat.
Tell us the sailing and check-in time when you book and we will build in a sensible margin for the A386 and the city traffic. Bring the booking reference, and we will drop you at the terminal rather than somewhere nearby.
Over Dartmoor: the A386 in winter
The quickest route crosses the western edge of Dartmoor between Okehampton and Tavistock. It is open moorland, and in winter fog, ice and snow can slow it down a great deal. When that happens we take the A30 and the A38, which is longer but lower.
We make that call on the day and allow for it in the pickup time. The fare does not change because we chose the safer road.
Students, station runs and groups
At the start and end of term we move students and their belongings between North Devon and the University of Plymouth. An estate or 8 seater takes a room's worth of luggage, and it is one trip rather than a series of trains with everything you own.
We also run to Plymouth station for mainline trains into Cornwall and up the country, and carry groups for events and days out in the city. Tell us the numbers and luggage when you book.
What is included
- One fixed fare, agreed when you book
- Derriford Hospital appointments
- Ferry port drop-offs timed to check-in
- University moves with room for luggage
- Return journeys booked together
