Wales by Train
Trains - Tickets - RoutesA 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.
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
Copyright: RAILWAYHERO
Train Tickets
Buy your train tickets for Wales online on Transport for Wales.
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
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
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
Guidebooks For Wales
Travel with a guidebook ease your journey to find best sights and things to do. Buy it on Amazon.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend not to travel without insurance. Don't fret! World Nomads offers many different travel insurance coverage plans to suit your trip best. > BUY HERE
