Getting to & Around Fowey

There’s no bridge across the River Fowey here, so the ferries genuinely matter, they’re how the town connects to the villages on the other bank, not a novelty for visitors. Here’s everything on parking, driving, and crossing the water.

Parking & Driving

Where is the best place to park in Fowey?

The main car park on Hanson Drive is the obvious first choice, a five-minute walk downhill into the centre. Caffa Mill car park, near the Bodinnick ferry landing, is a good option if you’re planning the Hall Walk, and Readymoney car park suits a trip to the beach or St Catherine’s Castle.

Read our complete guide to the best places to park in Fowey.

Can you drive right into the center of Fowey?

Technically yes, but it’s not recommended. The road into town is narrow and one-way through the centre, and most visitors are better off parking at the main car park and walking in.

How narrow are the streets in Fowey?

Genuinely narrow, particularly in the older parts of town, with some stretches barely wide enough for a single car. This is very much a walk-in town rather than a drive-through one.

Can large motorhomes fit in Fowey car parks?

Larger vehicles are best kept to the main car park rather than attempting the town’s narrow streets, and it’s worth checking current height and size restrictions before you arrive.

Is parking free in Fowey?

No, the main car parks are pay-and-display, so budget for this before you arrive rather than hunting for a free space.

Are there electric vehicle charging points in Fowey?

There are EV charging points at the Main Car Park in Fowey. EV charging provision has been expanding across Cornwall’s car parks, worth checking a current charging point map for the closest option in Fowey.

Is there a park-and-ride service for Fowey?

In peak season, a shuttle bus often runs from the main car park into the centre roughly every 15 minutes, check current arrangements before you travel.

How do you get from the main car park to the town quay?

It’s a walk of around five minutes downhill, or the seasonal shuttle bus if you’d rather not manage the slope, particularly with luggage or young children.

Is public transport easy to use in Fowey?

Reasonably, with local buses connecting to Par and St Austell, though services are less frequent than in bigger towns, so check current timetables ahead of time.

Can you walk everywhere in Fowey town center?

Yes, easily, the town centre is genuinely compact and walkable, which is just as well given how narrow the streets are for cars.

The Ferries

How do you get to Polruan from Fowey?

By the Polruan passenger ferry, a short, frequent foot-only crossing running throughout the day between the two.

Here are two videos I shot of the Fowey to Polruan ferry crossing, the outward journey below, and the return trip beneath that.

How much is the Fowey to Polruan passenger ferry?

Fares are modest and paid on board, check the current price when you travel since these are reviewed periodically.

How do you cross with a car to Bodinnick?

The Bodinnick car ferry crosses regularly throughout the day from the town side, the main route for bringing a vehicle in or out of Fowey from the east without a long detour inland.

How often does the Bodinnick car ferry run?

Frequently throughout the day, though it’s worth allowing extra time in peak season when queues can build on both sides.

Can dogs go on the Fowey ferries?

Yes, dogs are generally welcome on both the Bodinnick and Polruan ferries, making it easy to explore both sides of the estuary with a dog in tow.

Are the ferries accessible for wheelchairs?

The car ferry to Bodinnick generally accommodates wheelchair users more easily than the smaller passenger ferry to Polruan, check current accessibility details directly with the operators before you travel.

Do the ferries operate year-round?

The Bodinnick and Polruan ferries run year-round, while some seasonal extras, like the summer water taxi and the Mevagissey foot ferry, only operate roughly Easter to October.

How long does the river crossing take?

Just a few minutes for either the Bodinnick or Polruan crossing, the river isn’t wide, it’s the queues in peak season that add the real time.

Where do you catch the Caffa Mill ferry?

From the Caffa Mill car park area, on the Fowey side, a convenient starting point if you’re combining a crossing with the Hall Walk.

Can you book private ferry crossings out of hours?

Some operators offer this on request outside normal timetabled hours, contact them directly in advance if you need a crossing outside the usual schedule.

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