From 2nd April 2025, all visitors to the UK will require an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) in order to enter the UK.
We have created this page to help you complete this process smoothly and easily.
How to apply for your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)
The easiest way to apply for your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is by downloading the UK government app onto your phone.
The app is available for Apple or Android phones. There is also an option to complete the process online too.
If possible, we would recommend completing the process using the app on a phone for the quickest results.
Please ensure you only use the official UK government app.
The link to download the app for either an Android or Apple phone can be found here:
The process to apply for your ETA will take about 10 minutes if you complete the process on the phone app.
The UK government will then issue your ETA within 3 days of receiving your application.
Therefore, it is essential to complete the process at least 3 days before you travel.
When your ETA is issued, you will not receive any document to show at immigration when you enter the UK. The ETA is digitally attached to your passport.
The cost of the ETA is £10 and it is valid for 2 years. During this time, you are welcome to enter and leave the UK as many times as you like within the normal immigration rules.
The easiest way to apply for your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is by downloading the UK government app onto your phone.
The app is available for Apple or Android phones. There is also an option to complete the process online too.
If possible, we would recommend completing the process using the app on a phone for the quickest results.
Please ensure you only use the official UK government app.
The link to download the app for either an Android or Apple phone can be found here:
The process to apply for your ETA will take about 10 minutes if you complete the process on the phone app.
The UK government will then issue your ETA within 3 days of receiving your application.
Therefore, it is essential to complete the process at least 3 days before you travel.
When your ETA is issued, you will not receive any document to show at immigration when you enter the UK. The ETA is digitally attached to your passport.
The cost of the ETA is £10 and it is valid for 2 years. During this time, you are welcome to enter and leave the UK as many times as you like within the normal immigration rules.
What you needWhen you apply for the ETA using the app, you will need your passport, access to an email account and a credit or debit card.
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passport chipIn order to use the app, you need to use a passport that has a chip inside the passport.
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Photo readyDuring the application process on the app, you will need to take a passport style photo of yourself
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Travel to Cornwall by coach
One of the cheapest ways to come to Cornwall is to travel by coach. The main coach provider providing long distance coach travel to Cornwall is National Express.
Megabus generally provide the cheapest coach travel in the UK. However, these do not come to Cornwall.
If you wish to travel by Megabus, you could take a coach to Plymouth and then take the train for the final part of the journey.
One of the cheapest ways to come to Cornwall is to travel by coach. The main coach provider providing long distance coach travel to Cornwall is National Express.
Megabus generally provide the cheapest coach travel in the UK. However, these do not come to Cornwall.
If you wish to travel by Megabus, you could take a coach to Plymouth and then take the train for the final part of the journey.
Getting around Cornwall
Trains in Devon & Cornwall
There is a fantastic train network linking lots of towns throughout Devon & Cornwall. Truro is located on the main train line with regular train services to all parts of Devon & Cornwall. This is one of the best ways to explore this beautiful region of the UK.
As you can see on the map above, there is the main train line and then there are lots of branch lines that provide train connections to the coast.
As you can see on the map above, there is the main train line and then there are lots of branch lines that provide train connections to the coast.
Local buses
As well as a good train service, there is also an excellent bus service connecting rural areas of Cornwall.
From the main bus stop on Penryn Campus, you can reach almost every part of Cornwall. Find out all the bus times here on the Transport for Cornwall website. Download the app for your phone so you can keep up to date on live bus times. You can pay for your tickets using a contactless card on the bus. |
Car hire
While you can get to most places using public transport, there are some special corners of Cornwall that are really hard to get to unless you have a car.
We often organise excursions to places like these. However, you may also want to consider hiring a car for a weekend to explore yourself. The RentalCars website is a great way to find cheap car hire. You can hire a small car for around £50 for a weekend. |
