With a trainline that weaves between England and Wales, your clients can visit two countries by experiencing cities, market towns, countryside and coast in one trip. We provide approximate direct train times from England to some of Wales’ major cities, towns and attractions. And a selection of itineraries which contain attractions and things to do at the locations once arrived.
From Chester
Holyhead – 1hr 46mins
Conwy – 55mins
Llandudno – 1hr 4mins
Activities along The North Wales Way
Discover the highlights of North Wales in three days
Day trip ideas from Llandudno
Wrexham – 16mins
Days out in and around Wrexham
Abergavenny – 2hrs 12mins
Newport -2hrs 36mins
Cardiff – 2hrs 55mins
Cardiff in three days
Day itinerary for a group tour in South East Wales by coach
Exploring our cities in South and West Wales
From Shrewsbury
Conwy - 2hrs 21mins
Llanfair PG - 2hrs 14mins
Holyhead - 2hrs 45mins
Llandrindod Wells - 1hr 32mins
Days out in and around Llandrindod Wells
Abergavenny - 1hr 17mins
Newport – 1hr 42mins
Cardiff - 1hr 52mins
Explore attractions in South and Mid Wales
Swansea – 2hrs 56mins
Carmarthen – 3hrs 46mins
Milford Haven – 4hrs 45mins
Fishguard – 4hrs 44mins
From Birmingham
Welshpool - 1hr 26mins
Machynlleth - 2hrs 21mins
Harlech - 4hrs
Minffordd (for Portmeirion) - 4 hrs 22mins
Criccieth - 4hrs 38mins
Aberystwyth - 3hrs
Walking routes in Mid Wales
Gardens in North and Mid Wales
Attractions in six days along the coast of Wales
Literature in Mid Wales
Golfing itinerary in North Wales
From Cheltenham Spa and Gloucester
Chepstow - 38mins / 28mins
Newport - 56mins / 44mins
Cardiff - 1hr 10mins / 58mins
Further afield, Manchester Airport and Liverpool Lime Street stations serve the North Wales coastline, with the line terminating at Holyhead and Llandudno respectively. Manchester Piccadilly travels south and south west, terminating at Fishguard.
Operated by Great Western Railway is a direct service from London Paddington and Bristol to Newport (33mins / 1hr 36mins) and Cardiff (49mins / 1hr 49mins). The London service continues to Swansea taking 2hrs 25mins.
London Euston serves the north calling at Llandudno Junction and terminating at Holyhead (3hrs 52mins).
The digitised Explore Wales pass by Transport for Wales gives visitors the ability to explore the network via a cost-friendly visitor pass. Take a look at the Explore Wales pass map. There is also a handy downloadable national network map, showing all the direct and connected destinations between the two countries.
Destinations are working together to create interesting and compelling trade-ready itineraries. Visit Cheshire has designed a 7-day itinerary which combines visiting Shrewsbury, Wrexham, Chester and Liverpool.
Your guests can choose a trip that takes in the full length of the boundary from Chester to Cardiff and experience for themselves why it is a such a special place with castles and stately homes. Or choose a ready-made itinerary that explores a section of it. Operators will have the support of both Visit Wales and VisitEngland together.
So instead of considering Wales and England separately, we want to encourage your clients to visit both in one trip with an emotive and beautiful train journey which travels through England and Wales – it is something a little bit different! Find out how to Explore Wales by train.
We are looking for tour operators who want to road test these new itinerary ideas and help us introduce ‘Exploring the border’ to your clients. If you offer holidays which connect England and Wales, please get in touch.
