Major city · United Kingdom
Newquay
Spend 2 days in Newquay for surf beaches, Blue Reef Aquarium and nearby coastal villages; add a half‑day trip to Padstow or St Ives if time allows.
Newquay is a small coastal town in north‑Cornwall with a compact centre, walkable beaches and a handful of attractions. Two days cover the main surf spots, the aquarium, a garden and a quick day‑trip to a neighbouring village. Longer stays suit surf‑focused holidays or relaxed beach walks.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited daylight)
- Airport
- Cornwall Airport Newquay (NQY)
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Newquay999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Newquay, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyNewquay is generally safe; watch for surf currents, crowded beaches and seasonal traffic.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire and ambulance · 101 police non-urgent · 111 NHS non-urgent medical advice
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNQY Cornwall Airport Newquay (6 mi NE of town; seasonal flights to EU cities; bus 56 to town (≈20 min).).
- Getting aroundTown centre and beaches are walkable; local bus routes (e.g., 25, 56) run every 30‑60 min to Truro, St Ives and Padstow.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£2–£3 (≈ US$3–4)
- BeerBeer (pub)£4–£5 (≈ US$6–7)
- Metro or bus rideBus 56 single ticket£4–£5 (≈ US$6–7)
- Museum or sight ticketBlue Reef Aquarium entry£12–£15 (≈ US$16–20)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person£15 (≈ US$20)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range double room, a night, per room£120 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedMid‑range double room, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £70 (≈ US$95) · Mid £120 (≈ US$160) · High £200 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NQY Cornwall Airport Newquay (6 mi NE of town; seasonal flights to EU cities; bus 56 to town (≈20 min).)
Map of Newquay
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Newquay
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Perranporth · 9.2 km straight line
- St Columb Major · 9.9 km straight line
- St Agnes · 14 km straight line
- Truro · 17 km straight line
- Padstow · 17 km straight line
- Wadebridge · 18 km straight line
- Rock · 18 km straight line
- St Austell · 22 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Newquay: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town centre and beaches are walkable; local bus routes (e.g., 25, 56) run every 30‑60 min to Truro, St Ives and Padstow. Car hire at the airport for coastal trips.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: ≈1 h total
Bus 56 from Newquay Airport (≈50 min) or train via Bodmin Parkway (≈1 h).
Fishing village with harbour, boutique shops and the National Trust's Prideaux‑House.
Door to door: ≈45 min
Bus 95 from Newquay (≈45 min) or drive via A3071.
Art galleries, harbour and nearby beaches; good for a half‑day.
Door to door: ≈1 h 30 min
Coach from Newquay (≈1 h 30 min) via the Atlantic Highway.
Legendary castle ruins; limited facilities, best in good weather.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
St Christopher’s Inns Newquay
Hostel on the cliff above Towan Beach, £10.50 with breakfast.
The Square House
Self‑catering holiday house, sleeps up to 12, central location.
Headland Hotel
B&B double £150, on headland cliffs above Fistral.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £50–£70 (≈ US$70–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £80–£120 (≈ US$110–160) excl. bed
- High
- £150–£200 (≈ US$200–300) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range double room1 × 2 nights × £120 | £240 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £120 | £480 |
| Cornwall Airport Newquay round‑trip flight (UK‑EU)2 × £120 · check | £240 |
| Bus 56 day ticket (airport‑town‑Padstow)2 × £12 · check | £24 |
| eSIM week of data2 × £15 · check | £30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £101 |
| Trip total≈ £279 per person per day, bed included | £1,115≈ US$1,500 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £2–£3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Fish and chips | £8–£12 (≈ US$11–16) |
| Beer (pub) | £4–£5 (≈ US$6–7) |
| Blue Reef Aquarium entry | £12–£15 (≈ US$16–20) |
| Bus 56 single ticket | £4–£5 (≈ US$6–7) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Seasonal flight schedules at NQY; check airline timetables before travel.
- Beach lifeguard coverage is summer‑only; swim outside supervised hours at your own risk.
- Parking at popular beaches fills quickly in peak summer; arrive early.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 999
- Police non-urgent
- 101
- NHS non-urgent medical advice
- 111
Pocket card
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NewquayNewquay
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Ambulance999
- Non‑urgent medical (NHS 111)111
Embassy
US consulate in Bristol (check address); other countries use the UK embassy in London.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cornwall Airport Newquay → Newquay town (bus 56): about £5 (≈ US$7), 20 min (check)
- Newquay → Padstow (bus 56): about £12 (≈ US$16) each way, 50 min (check)
Say or show
- Sori — Excuse me / Sorry (saw‑ree)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (how much is it?)
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (can I pay by card?)
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet? (where is the toilet?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Newquay. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited daylight) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Newquay
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