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Wales by Train

Trains - Tickets - Routes
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A Travel Guide For Train Travel In Wales.

Here you will find information for Wales about trains, routes, tours, connections, where to buy train tickets, and more.

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Useful Information

Population: 3.13 million

Currency: Pound Sterling

Language: English, Welsh

Capital: Cardiff

Country Code: +44

Time Zone: Western European Time

Train Companies

The country’s trains are operated by five different companies:

 

  • Avanti West Coast (formerly Virgin Trains)
  • Transport for Wales (TFW)
  • Great Western Railway (GRW)
  • CrossCountry
  • London Northwestern Railway
wales rail map

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Train Tickets

Buy your train tickets for Wales online on Transport for Wales.

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Buy your train tickets online at OMIO and compare trains, buses & flights.

Rail Passes

Interrail / Eurail Pass

Do you want to travel throughout Europe flexibly and comfortably? Then the Interrail Pass is perfect for you. With the Interrail Pass, you can visit 40,000 destinations in 33 countries in Europe. You can travel for up to 3 months by train.

Britrail Pass

Explore Great Britain by train. You can use all national trains in Great Britain with the Britrail Pass. The Britrail Pass is valid in England, Wales, and Scotland.

TrAIN tYPES

The major rail network in Wales is composed of the following trains:

Sprinter Commuter train serving Cardiff nad its suburbs.

  • Offering standard class with rows of five seats (3+2) as well as rows with four seats (2+2)

SuperSprinter connects rural rail lines to main rail lines throughout the country.

  • 1st Class: Rows of three seats (2+1)
  • 2nd Class (Standard): Rows of four seats (2+2)
  • Trains are equipped with air conditioning as well as a refreshment trolley.

Intercity Express trains connecting suburbs in south Wales to large cities, also connects Cardiff to London.

  • 1st Class: Rows of three seats (2+1)
  • 2nd Class (Standard): Rows of four seats (2+2)
  • Trains are equipped with air conditioning as well as a refreshment trolley.

Crosscountry Trains operate routes from Cardiff to Nottingham, England

  • 1st and 2nd Classes offered.
  • 1st Class includes complimentary snacks and drinks served to your seat, electrical sockets at every seat
  • Reservations not required.
  • Trains are equipped with WiFi and air-conditioning. Offers an on-board catering trolley with a range of drinks and snacks.

SuperVoyager – connects North Wales to London, and North Wales to Scotland.

  • 1st Class: Rows of three seats (2+1)
  • 2nd Class (Standard): Rows of four seats (2+2)
  • Reservations not required, but optional
  • Trains are equipped with power sockets, free WiFi, and air conditioning. Trains have a shop carriage offering snacks as well as a self-catering trolley.

There are no  night trains from Wales directly; however, from London you can take the Caledonian Sleeper to Scotland, as well as the Night Riviera to Cornwall, England.

Ffestiniog Railway, Porthmadog
Welsh Highland Railway, Caenarfon and Porthmadog
Welsh Highland Heritage Railway, Porthmadog
Snowdown Mountain Railway, Llanberis
Talylln Railway, Tywyn
Llanberis Lake Railway
Fairbourne Miniature Railway
Brecon Mountain Railway
Vale of Rheidol Railway
Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway

Routes

Frequently Travelled Routes In Wales

National

From > To
Duration Changes Transport
Cardiff to Swansea 0:53 Direct Train
Cardiff to Shrewsbury 1:57 Direct Train
Cardiff to Holyhead 5:15 1 Train
Aberystwyth to Cardiff 4:59 1 Train

 

International

From > To
Duration Changes Transport
Cardiff to Nottingham, England 3:18 Direct Train
Cardiff to London, England 1:51 Direct Train
Holyhead to Birmingham, England 4:04 Direct Train
Aberystwyth to Manchester, England 3:59 1 train
Holyhead to Dublin, Ireland 3:15 Direct Ferry
Fishguard to Rosslare, Ireland 3:15 Direct Ferry

 

Wales travel routes

Wales: A Railway Lover’s Dream

Wales: A Railway Lover’s Dream

Main Train Stations

  • Cardiff Central
  • Cardiff Queen Street
  • Newport
  • Swansea
  • Bangor

Good to know

Best Time To Travel To Wales

We recommend traveling anytime between April – October, through the summer and shoulder seasons, you will see the best weather for all of the outdoor activities that Wales has to offer and maybe you’ll see some Atlantic Puffins too! With some of the most well preserved heritage railway lines in the world, Wales is the perfect place to explore by rail. 

Wales is also ideal for hillwalking, mountaineering, coasteering, rock climbing, surfing, mountain biking, and plenty more. Keep an eye out for the Big Cheese Festival, the World Bog Snorkelling Championship, and the Eisteddfod festival celebrating Welsh heritage.

  • High Season: June – August
  • Low Season: September – May

 

Accommodation In Wales

Booking

The best place to find cheap hotels for is to book by www.booking.com. There you will find a large selection of cheap hotels, hostels, and apartments. > BOOK HERE

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Hostelworld

If you are looking for a low budget accommodation, then go on www.hostelworld.com. They have the best choice of cheap hostels for backpackers and low budget travelers. > BOOK HERE

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Guidebooks For Wales

Travel with a guidebook ease your journey to find best sights and things to do. Buy it on Amazon.

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