Trains and boats and – well, not planes, but buses – are all in the masterplan for Plymouth Navy Days to ensure that the biggest public event staged by the Royal Navy this year runs as smoothly as possible.

Organisers of the event, on the Bank Holiday weekend, have put together a comprehensive transport network to cope with the estimated 60,000 visitors and minimise disruption on local roads – winning praise from local politicians.

Cllr Sue Dann, the Plymouth City Councillor cabinet member for transport, said: “The forethought and planning which has been put into the travel arrangements for visitors to Navy Days is exceptional and is a model for other major event organisers in the city to aspire to.

“I am particularly impressed by the underlying principle of the travel plan that the journey is regarded as part of the actual experience of the day out when all too often people think this is when visitors turn up at their gate.”

One major element of the package was the sponsorship of the transport network by Interserve plc – leading members of the consortium that was recently selected for the multi-million pound Armada Project to bring accommodation at HMS Drake up to modern standards.

The transport options for visitors to Navy Days includes:

Free buses, provided by Plymouth Citybus, from Navy Days Park and Ride sites at Coypool and Milehouse, in partnership wit Plymouth City Council.

Free ferry services from the Barbican, Mount Edgcumbe (free parking in the grounds), Saltash (free park and ride site at Carkeel Motor Services with free transfer by First Bus to the ferry point), Torpoint (free parking site at Torpoint Community College with free bus route provided by First via the Torpoint Ferry). Ferry services are provided in partnership with Plymouth Boat Cruises and Tamar Cruising.

Free bus journeys for Advance Ticket holders only on First Routes 1 and 2 (1A and 2A on Sunday and Monday) in partnership with First.

Holders of Navy Days Rail Tickets (available at all stations in England and Wales which include a specially-discounted admission charge) can travel to the event free on First routes 1, 1A, 2 and 2A in partnership with First.

Citybus routes 26, 26A, 26B, 46 and 46A all run to Navy Days and normal fares apply to all these routes. First services 7A and 11 also run to Navy Days, also with normal fares.

For those coming to Navy Days by car, parking is available on site. Car tickets (costing £34 in advance) include entry for all passengers in the car and the price includes a free copy of the souvenir brochure.

Groups can come by minibus (there is a single charge of £100 for vehicles carrying between 10 and 24 passengers) or coach (for buses including up to 54 passengers there is a special price of £250 – coaches must be booked in advance by ringing 01752 555340).

Motorcycles, at £20 in advance, and cycles (the bike is free – but the rider pays the normal pedestrian price) will be parked in a secure parking area.

All routes to Navy Days will be clearly signposted and Navy Days Radio will broadcast travel information among other items on 106.6FM throughout the period.

Navy Days Officer Col Steve Cox said: “Whether visitors come by train, boat, car or on their own two feet, the transport plan gives a variety of choices and the opportunity to make the journey part of their day out.”

A free bus service will operate in the Naval Base for those with tired feet, allowing them to see as many of the attractions as possible, and the Royal Marines will operate a ferry service using their landing craft between the northern and southern ends of the base – the largest such establishment in Europe.

For disabled visitors there is a designated car park with a bus for wheelchair users, giving access to key parts of the site and to Type 23 frigate HMS Portland.

Full details of the travel network, ticket prices and event highlights are available on www.royalnavy.mod.uk and tickets can be bought in person at the Tourist Information Centres at Marsh Mills and the Mayflower Centre in the Barbican.

For online ticket sales see www.seetickets.com and for telephone purchases ring 0870 1608833. For postal sales, contact See, The Hollows, St James’s Street, Nottingham NG1 6FJ.

Navy Days runs from Saturday August 28 until Monday August 30, and gives members of the public the chance to see a range of warships, both RN and overseas, including assault ships, frigates and submarines.

A mock amphibious assault using helicopters and landing craft is just one of the highlights of a full range of displays planned at the naval base during the weekend.