How To Get To Wales From London By Train (or Coach)

No matter where you hail from in Britain, it’s very likely that at some point in your life you’ll have spent time in the UK’s buzzing capital city. And despite being incredibly well-connected, London can be confusing to navigate, especially when you’re trying to get to the other side of the island!

We know that how exactly to get to Wales from the rest of the UK is one of the main questions that people have when they start to plan a visit – which is why we’re publishing this series of how-to articles to make that process a little easier. You can click here to read our guide to travelling from Manchester into Wales, but today we’ll be focussing on London.

There are of course a whole host of stations on London’s labyrinthine rail network, but for travel to Wales, you’ll usually want to first make sure you can get to either London Euston or London Paddington, which should be straightforward from any London station via Tube (London’s metro, also known as Underground). The former will help you on your way to most places in North and mid-Wales, and the latter to the South.

Do remember, though, that schedules can vary and be less reliable on weekends in particular. As a general rule (unless I’m going to Cardiff, which is more predictably connected) I never travel to or from Wales on a Sunday!

Plus, booking far in advance will guarantee you less expensive tickets.

For some destinations getting a coach from London Victoria is also an option, and is generally much cheaper. Alternatively, if you’re flying into the capital, you may be able to get a train or coach directly from the airport. Let’s get into it…

Editor’s note: We have tried to include the most accurate information to give you a good idea of what kind of journey to expect. That said, it is very important that you double-check the official public transport websites for the latest timetables, changes, service disruptions, and prices. All the relevant links can be found at the bottom of this article. If there is a specific destination you are interested in that is not mentioned here, please get in touch with us and we will be happy to help.

Photo Credits

Photos of the GWR train and Paddington Station are from the National Rail Media Centre.
Photo of the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus is from the Transport for Wales media library.
Photos of Elan Valley and train on Barmouth bridge are from the Wales Asset database. © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales.

All the other remaining photos are property of Mathieu Gasquet / We Travel Wales.

Traveling to North Wales from London

Busy London and peaceful North Wales may sound like two different planets, but getting to larger towns both on the West coast and in the East doesn’t usually take longer than four hours when you travel by train from London Euston. This does come at a cost though – train tickets for a cross-country like this are pretty pricey!

The upside is that you should be able to get a journey with only one change with a little forward planning, and for some destinations, notably Bangor and Holyhead on Ynys Môn (Anglesey), no-change options are even available.

If you do need to change, the border town of Chester is likely to be where you’ll do it. Chester is well-connected to London with direct trains, taking generally just over two hours, running from Euston twice an hour from 8am until 8pm. (I’d avoid a late afternoon or evening journey though, as it may be more difficult to get an onward connection).

From Chester, you then have plenty of options to access towns and beauty spots throughout the North.

It’s possible also to take the train from London to Crewe and only then change to Chester. Knowing this gives you more choice and flexibility, as it’s usually slightly faster, and an initial change at Crewe could be more suited to your needs if you have very specific restriction on departure and arrival time. But the Chester service is regular enough for most people – and it’s nice to only have to change train once!

Let’s get into it – here’s some more detail on accessing key destinations in North Wales, travelling from or via London Euston.

From London to Llandudno

• train to Chester – 45 minutes wait – train to Llandudno
• duration: 4 h
• tickets from: £85 (single, one-way)

Llandudno is one of Wales’ most beloved coastal destinations. It was even once known as ‘the Queen of the Welsh Watering Places!’ There’s a lot to explore, with multiple beaches and a thriving town centre. It’s known in particular for its original Victorian architecture, apparent in the promenade, pier, and in buildings throughout the town.

There are direct trains from Chester to Llandudno approximately hourly from just before seven in the morning until 7.30 at night. So you’ll want to leave London by mid-afternoon to ensure you don’t miss the last train – though I’d always advise being cautious and getting the earliest train you feasibly can, as you never know when there’ll be a cancellation or delay.

If you would rather not change train at all, there is a direct service to Llandudno Junction, from which you can change to explore other nearby towns, or take a bus, taxi or second train to Llandudno itself.

Even if you’re not planning to stay in Llandudno itself, you can use it as a jumping off point to get to other parts of North-West Wales. For example, you can travel by train on the Conwy Valley Line from Llandudno to popular destinations within Eryri (Snowdonia) such as Betws-y-Coed.

Alternatively, you can get off the train a little earlier to explore other towns on the North coast, for example Conwy, Colwyn Bay, or Prestatyn.

From London to Bangor

• direct train available 
• duration: 3 h 20 m
• tickets from: £80 (single, one-way) – can be much cheaper if you take a route with one or more changes

Esteemed as a centre of community, arts, and education in North Wales, Bangor is a must visit for anyone interested in Welsh history and culture – particularly as it has the honour of being Wales’ oldest city. Luckily, it’s quite easy to get to from London! 

There are generally around five departures of the direct train from London to Bangor in a day, with a couple in the morning and then two or three running through from mid-afternoon to evening. The final destination of this journey is Holyhead in Anglesey, which we’ll get to further down!

For more options and / or lower prices, look into options with changes. There will either be one change at Chester, or two, at Crewe and then at Chester. Widening the net will mean you have a choice at least every hour, and if you book in advance and are flexible about timings, you may be able to get a single ticket for under £60. It shouldn’t make your journey too much longer – even the journey with two changes is only four hours as long as you’re not travelling very early in the morning or very late at night, which I wouldn’t recommend regardless.

Bangor is also a very good base to explore to branch off to other places. There are good connections by train and coach to other parts of the North. You can get busses to other North-Western towns like Caernaerfon, Conwy, or Porthmadog slightly further afield, and even further down into Cardigan Bay and mid-Wales if you’re planning a multi-destination trip. There are also several buses that will take you around the Eryri National Park.

From London to Anglesey

• direct train available
• duration: 3 h 50 min
• tickets from: £90 (single, one-way) – can be much cheaper if you take a route with one or more changes

Ynys Môn (Anglesey) is known for its natural beauty as well as for being one of Wales’ most Welsh-speaking areas. Almost all of its coastline is protected, as it’s considered to be one of Wales’ five Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, also known as National Landscapes. If that weren’t enough to convince you to visit, it’s warmer than most of Wales!

Anglesey’s major town, Holyhead, is at the far end of the island, though some train journeys (not the direct line, unfortunately) will make other stops along the way. If yours doesn’t, you can travel via bus; but be aware that not all the popular destinations such as the South Stack Lighthouse are reachable this way and you may sometimes have to choose between walking a long distance or shelling out for a taxi. You can find numbers for taxi companies operating in the area on the Anglesey Council website. Be sure to book in advance!

As for busses, it’s very affordable. You can get a 1bws day ticket entitling you to travel between any destinations in North Wales as much as you like – it’s £7 for an adult and £4.70 for a child. Singles to specific destinations are obviously cheaper, but if you want to explore multiple places then the day pass will be good value.

And if you will be relying on a bus or taxi to get you to your destination, it’s worth double checking whether you can get off the train at Bangor and travel from there rather than going all the way to Holyhead and doubling back. There are busses from Bangor to various towns on the island, and if you are taking a taxi, many tourist attractions on Ynys Môn are actually very close to the mainland, so it could be cheaper to travel from Bangor than from Holyhead.

The train journey to Holyhead is the same as that you’d take for Bangor – you just stay on it for a little longer! Although travelling directly is possible and convenient, as with the journey to Bangor, you may get more options and a lower price if you consider changing either at Chester, or at Crewe and then Chester.

Itinerary example: London to Newborough Nature Reserve and Ynys Llanddwyn

• 8:00 – Avanti West Coast train from London Euston
• 11:16 – Train arrives at Bangor station
• 12:03 – 42A bus (going to Llangefni) from Bangor Station
• 12:37 – Bus arrives in Newborough
• 12:45 – Walk or take taxi to the nature reserve
• 13:00 – Arrival time if taking taxi (booked in advance)
• 13:30 – Arrival time if walking
• Duration: 5 hours to 5 hours and 30 minutes
• Total cost (single, one-way): £96 for walkers, £5-10 more for taxi 

From London to Eryri (Snowdonia)

• train to Bangor or Llandudno Junction – bus connection
• duration: around 5 h
• cost from: around £80-90 (single, one-way)

The most famous landmark in beautiful North Wales has to be Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest mountain in the country. It sits as the crown jewel of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, which is also home to historic castles, picturesque villages, centres for various adventure sports, gorgeous beaches stretching down into Cardigan Bay, and other peaks like Cadair Idris.

Travelling around Eryri will generally mean making a start at Bangor or at Betws-y-Coed (there are also connections from Caernarfon and further south from Porthmadog). From either location, you can connect to the Snowdon Sherpa bus service, which will take you to various small towns and villages throughout the park as well as drop-off points for hikes. Particularly recommended are historic Beddgelert, ‘Eryri’s loveliest village’, Pen-y-Pass which leads to several of the best walking routes, and Llanberis, from which you can even get the Snowdon Mountain Railway all the way to the top of Yr Wyddfa. You can use the 1bws day ticket to travel on the Snowdon Sherpa bus, too.

To get to Betws-y-Coed – a busy mountain resort with lots to do, and well worth spending time in in its own right – you should leave from London Euston, changing first at Chester and then at Llandudno Junction. Cheaper options may be available if you also change at Crewe first. Given that this is a longer journey, leave as early as possible in the day to avoid any mishaps.

Itinerary example: London to Llanberis

• 9:00 – Avanti West Coast train from London Euston
• 12:22 – Train arrives at Bangor station
• 13:45 – S2 bus (Sherpa’r Wyddfa) from Bangor station
• 14:31 – Bus arrives in Llanberis (add 20 min to get to Pen-y-Pass)
• Duration: 5 hours 31 minutes
• Total cost (single, one-way): £96

From London to Wrexham

• train to Chester – 30 minutes wait – train to Wrexham
• duration: 2 h 40 m
• cost from: around £80 (single, one-way) – cheaper tickets sometimes available on alternative routes with more connections (e.g. via Birmingham)

Heading over to the North-East, Wrexham is one of Wales very few cities, a busy and exciting place with lots to do. You can also connect from Wrexham to walks and scenery in the Dee Valley area using the T3 bus.

To get to Wrexham, there are two options. There are more services available if you take the first option, which is to change in Chester as you would for the rest of North Wales. The train from Chester to Wrexham is very short, only about fifteen minutes, as both towns are on the border.

At certain times of day it can be possible to instead change at Birmingham New Street and then at Shrewsbury, as you would for most destinations in mid-Wales. This would take you around 3.5 hours but might be a lot cheaper, closer to £50. It’s worth looking into if you have a tight budget for your trip. Plus, you can get a train direct to Birmingham from London Stansted Airport, so it’s also a useful option for those flying into the UK.

Not far from Wrexham, the T3 bus can take you to the impressive Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the nearby town of Llangollen, both of which are definitely worth a visit. Llangollen is known for its canal and boasts a vibrant cultural and music scene, but it doesn’t have a proper train station (although a small section of track operates mainly as a tourist attraction on the Llangollen Steam Railway). You can walk to Pontcysyllte from Llangollen – it’s a pleasant, well-signposted walk – or you can get off the bus a little closer, at the village of Trevor.

Traveling to Mid Wales from London

Lovely mid-Wales is a great option if you are looking for seaside, in which case you can traverse Cardigan Bay, or peaceful rolling hills and farmland, for which you should head to the Elan Valley area.

I come from mid-Powys and now study near London, so it’s a journey the inconveniences of which I am very much familiar with! Read on, and we’ll discuss how to make your trip as smooth as possible.

You will be travelling from London Euston, with the most convenient change at Birmingham (International or New Street stations), followed by another change at Shrewsbury, depending on your destination. Direct trains to Birmingham leave from London Euston multiple times an hour from early in the morning until late at night. Some are quicker than others, but you should be able to get one which takes less than an hour and a half. 

If you’ve not used Birmingham New Street before, be aware that it’s a very large, busy station, so give yourself plenty of time to change. Most platforms have two sides (‘A’ and ‘B’). For journeys to Wales, try to leave the platform you arrive on at the ‘B’ side; this usually makes finding your onward connection more convenient. Birmingham International (where the airport is located) is smaller and easier to navigate, and is often less busy, except during peak holiday periods or when a major event is taking place at the nearby NEC.

Trains from Birmingham can run all the way to Pwhelli in the north west coast, stopping at popular destinations such as Aberystwyth, Tywyn, Aberdyfi, Barmouth, Harlech and Porthmadog, which means from London it’s only one change. For other destinations in the south east, you will need to change in Shrewsbury.

Shrewsbury is on the border and surrounded by gorgeous countryside itself! As from here you’ll be moving into very rural mid-Wales, and trains are less frequent than during the first part of the journey, you may well get an hour or even more to explore the town, which I always enjoy. Check which platform your next train is leaving from as if it’s from Platform 3, this has a separate entrance to the rest of the station.

From London to Aberdyfi, Barmouth and Northern Cardigan Bay

• train to Birmingham – change – train to final destination
• duration: 3 to 5 h, depending on final destination
• tickets from: £40, depending on final destination

From Birmingham onwards, you will be travelling on the Cambrian Line, which serves the northern section and part of the southern section of Cardigan Bay, with the rail line splitting off at Dovey Junction. You can head west to beach towns such as Aberdyfi and Tywyn, then continue northwards to Barmouth, Harlech, and all the way up to Pwllheli without the need for an additional change.

Note that the train splits into two when it arrives at the market town of Machynlleth, with one half going south towards Aberystwyth and the other continuing north. Make sure you are in the correct half of the train. Station assistants always ask passengers for their destinations to help avoid confusion.

If you are planning a multi-destination trip, popular seaside towns such as Barmouth and Porthmadog offer useful bus connections into Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, allowing you to explore both the seaside and the mountainous terrain.

Itinerary example: London to Barmouth

• 10:38 – Avanti West Coast train from London Euston
• 11:46 – Train arrives at Birmingham International
• 12:08 – Transport For Wales train from Birmingham International
• 15:58 – Train arrives at Barmouth
• Duration: 5 hours 20 min
• Total cost (single, one-way): £74

From London to Aberystwyth and Southern Cardigan Bay

• train to Birmingham – train to Shrewsbury – train to final destination – plus busses if heading South
• duration: around 5 h, depending on final destination
• tickets from: £40, depending on final destination

So many of my best memories are of exploring the quaint towns and picturesque beaches of Cardigan Bay! Aside from the famous destinations, there are countless hidden gems dotted along the coastline, and it’s a hiker’s delight, with glorious views from the clifftops too.

From Birmingham, the Cambrian Line serves the south coast down to bustling Aberystwyth, with its impressive university and library, as well as plenty to see, buy, and eat. This is the same train that also runs towards the north-west, and it actually splits into two sets of carriages when you arrive in Machynlleth, so make sure you are in the correct carriage for your destination (train staff will be on hand to assist you).

To continue further south to towns such as Llangrannog, Aberaeron, and Newquay, things are less convenient, as you will need to take a bus connection from Aberystwyth. Fortunately, the bus station is right next to the train station.

The T5 takes you to Newquay, Aberaeron, Aberporth and Cardigan. Smaller settlements, such as Llangrannog, unfortunately do not have a reliable bus connection, so you will need to use another mode of transport – Teifi Taxis is a good option.

Itinerary example: London to New Quay

• 10:38 – Avanti West Coast train from London Euston
• 11:58 – Train arrives at Birmingham New Street
• 12:22 – Transport for Wales train from Birmingham New Street
• 15:21 – Train arrives in Aberystwyth
• 17:20 – T5 bus from Aberystwyth
• 18:22 – Bus arrives in Newquay
• Duration: 7 hours 44 minutes
• Total cost (single, one-way): £47

From London to Llandrindod and the Elan Valley

• train to Birmingham – train to Shrewsbury – train to llandrindod – bus + taxi to elan valley 
• duration: 6 h 30 min + taxi
• tickets from: £40 + taxi

Forests, valleys, hills and reservoirs await you in Mid Wales, with the area’s crowning jewel being the lovely Elan Valley. The area’s county town and the best place to get into via train is Llandrindod Wells, a Victorian spa town with its own interesting history and a town centre which has become much more lively in recent years.

In this case, the journey is a bit more complex, with a few options. You can change at Birmingham and then again at Shrewsbury, or travel via Crewe and change there to head back down to Shrewsbury. The latter option is often less expensive and offers more convenient timings. From Shrewsbury, the Heart of Wales line will take you to Llandrindod, and you can also get off earlier in smaller villages like Dolau or Pen-y-Bont right in the heart of the countryside.

Most people staying in this area are here for the Elan Valley, in which case you’ll want to stay in or near Rhayader. You can get to Rhayader from Llandrindod on the X47 bus service, which takes around 20 minutes and goes from near the station. If there isn’t a bus time that suits, call George’s Taxis.

If you are staying in Rhayader, it is perfectly possible to walk into the valley itself from the town centre – it’s a nice walk and takes just over an hour. However, for many people it’s more comfortable or convenient to take a taxi, and you can try George’s Taxis as above or Simon Price Cars based in Rhayader itself. You should definitely book in advance as cars can take a while to come, but the journey itself won’t take long at all.

Itinerary example: London to Elan Valley

• 11:02 – Arriva West Coast train from London Euston
• 12:42 – Train arrives at Crewe
• 13:10 – Transport For Wales train to Shrewsbury
• 13:41 – Train arrives at Shrewsbury
• 13:54 – Transport For Wales train to Llandrindod
• 15:28 – Train arrives at Llandrindod
• 16:59 – X47 bus to Rhayader
• 17:40 – Bus arrives at Rhayader
• Next day – Taxi to Elan Valley
• Duration: 6 hours 38 min (+ taxi)
• Total cost (single, one-way): £67

Getting to South Wales from London

This is probably the simplest area of the country to reach from London given that Wales’ two biggest cities are very far South. But it’s not all urban buzz in this part of the country, as South Wales is also home to popular seaside towns in Pembrokeshire, the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Brecon Beacons and Gower Peninsula, and cultural gems like historical St David’s.

Here, Great Western Railway is your friend. They run services direct from London Paddington to Cardiff Central twice hourly, and the whole journey takes only two hours. To sweeten the deal even further London Paddington is, in my opinion, one of London’s nicest and least confusing stations!

Once an hour, the London to Cardiff train goes even further, all the way to Swansea. Cardiff and Swansea aren’t your only two options though – you can also get off at towns along the way like Newport, Bridgend, or Neath. If you’re going somewhere smaller, it’s probably best to disembark at Cardiff or Swansea where another bus or a train can connect you to your destination.

From London to Cardiff

• transport: direct train from paddington
• duration: 1 h 50 minutes
• tickets from: £30, but most are more expensive

Cardiff is a wonderful city, full of culture, nightlife, and great places to eat. It’s also easy on the purse compared to other major UK cities. Cardiff Castle is a lot of fun to explore, especially if you have children, and there are plenty of activities available too like escape rooms and tours. Not only that, but it connects easily to plenty of destinations in South Wales like Pembrokeshire, the Brecon Beacons, and the South Wales valleys.

The trains from London Paddington to Cardiff Central run at about quarter past the hour and at about quarter to the hour, starting at six am and continuing on until ten at night. 

Since many people actually commute between London and Cardiff, prices are much, much higher at around 8am and at around 5pm. Travelling at midday or later in the evening, if you can, will save you a lot of money and probably mean it’s a more pleasant journey too!

Another money-saving trick is to take a coach, which will go from London Victoria and drop you off by Sophia Gardens. Coaches go hourly and are between £10 and £20. They take on average three and a half hours.

Both London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports run a direct train to London Paddington. Alternatively, if you are flying into the UK, you could see if you can get a flight to Cardiff Airport itself!

From London to Swansea and the Gower National Landscape

• transport: direct train to swansea – bus to gower
• duration: 2 h 40 min
• tickets from: £30

Swansea is a much-loved city not only on its own merits – it’s got some great museums, for example, including Wales’ oldest, and is also the birthplace and home of Dylan Thomas – but for its adjacency to the Gower National Landscape, home to some of the UK’s most fabulous beaches.

The journey from London to Swansea is pretty much the same journey as it is to Cardiff, except the train only continues on past the capital once hourly. This is the option that goes at quarter to the hour. So there are no changes, just sit back and enjoy the view! To get tickets of under £30, make sure to book well in advance and not at peak times.

You can reach the towns, villages and beaches of the Gower Peninsula, such as Mumbles, which sits on the border between Swansea and the Gower (bus no. 2 or 2A), or the famous Rhossili, via the 118 bus connection from Swansea. Be aware that the bus station in Swansea is a 15-minute walk from the train station, so allow enough time to make the change.

Swansea’s railway station is also very well connected, as you can travel from here up to mid-Wales via the Heart of Wales Line (indeed, this is sometimes a decent way to reach previously discussed destinations like Llandrindod if there are problems with the usual route) or west to Tenby and Pembroke on the coast.

Itinerary example: London to Rhossili

• 8:48 – Great Western Railway train from London Paddington
• 11:30 – Train arrives at Swansea
• Walk to Bus Station (15 minutes)
• 12:35 – 119 bus from Swansea Bus Station
• 13:43 – Bus arrives at Rhossili
• Duration: 4 hours 55 minutes
• Total cost (single, one-way): £43.35

From London to Pembrokeshire 

• train to Swansea or Cardiff – train and / or bus to destination 
• duration: 4h to 5h
• tickets from: £50

We’ve discussed how Swansea is a gateway to lovely towns in Pembrokeshire like Tenby, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke, and Fishguard. Beloved of tourists and locals alike, Pembrokeshire is stunning, full of stunning beaches, homely pubs, and great activities. 

Trains of course vary based on which of the towns you’re travelling to, but you can expect it to take roughly between four and a half and five hours to reach your destination from London Paddington, which, again, will be your starting point. Technically there are services about every two hours, but some are very very expensive, nearly twice the price of other options – there will probably be around two or three possibilities a day that cost only around £50 so plan well in advance and be flexible on timings if you can!

One of Pembrokeshire’s most important settlements is Wales’ smallest city St David’s. Though St David’s doesn’t have a train station itself, the T11 bus between Fishguard and Haverfordwest runs eight times a day so there are plenty of options.

The Pembrokeshire coastal bus services run only in the summer months – May to September – but during this period they can be another good option to get to smaller destinations from one of the bigger towns.

Itinerary example: London to Tenby

• 10:48 – Great Western Railway from London Paddington to Cardiff
• 12:36 – Train arrives at Cardiff
• 12:51 – Transport For Wales train to Tenby
• 15:36 – Train arrives at Tenby
• Duration: 4 hours 48 min
• Total cost (single, one-way): £73

From London to the Brecon Beacons National Park

• various options including both train and bus
• duration: around 3 h
• tickets from: £30

Unfortunately, one of Wales’ most iconic tourist attractions is also one of the most finnicky to get to, but that certainly doesn’t mean you should forego the dramatic Beacons and South Wales’ highest peak, Pen-y-Fan!

The best town to stay in for access to the Beacons is Brecon itself, although it unfortunately does not have a functioning train station. A more convenient option might be Merthyr Tydfil, which is served by the South Wales Valleys train line. You can take a train from Paddington Station, change at Cardiff, and then continue on a second train to Merthyr Tydfil. From there, the T4 bus can take you to Brecon, and you also have the option to alight earlier at the start of the hike to Pen-y-Fan.

Alternatively, the train from London Paddington to Cardiff and Swansea also stops at Newport (an interesting place to visit itself due to its industrial history). From Newport, there are frequent rail connections to Abergavenny and Hereford, and this leg of the journey will take about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Abergavenny and Hereford are connected to Brecon by the X43 bus.

Another option is to access the Brecon Beacons via Mid-Wales. From Llandrindod, you can take the T4 bus all the way to Brecon and right to the start of the trail up Pen-y-Fan itself. If you fancy stopping off along the way, you can explore other charming and historic villages like Builth Wells, Erwood, and Bronllys.

The T4 actually runs all the way to Cardiff, so it would even be possible to just get the direct train to Cardiff and then stomach the two hour bus journey from there to Brecon! It’s scenic, but not for those who suffer with travel sickness.

Pen-y-Fan isn’t all there is to the Brecon Beacons, though. The Western side of the park is best accessed from Llandovery, for which you should travel from London Euston and change at Birmingham and Shrewsbury, or change at Swansea instead.

Itinerary example: London to Pont-ar-Daf

• 11:16 – Great Western Railway train from London Paddington
• 13:01 – Train arrives at Newport
• 13:07 – Transport for Wales train from Newport
• 13:33 – Train arrives at Abergavenny
• 14:02 – X43 bus from Abergavenny
• 14:46 – Bus arrives at Brecon
• 15:11 – T4 bus to Pont-ar-Daf car park
• 15:26 – Bus arrives at Storey Arms (next to Pont-ar-Daf car park)
• Duration: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Total cost (single, one-way): £40

Travelling Via Coach

We all know that travelling by train in the UK is very expensive, and going cross-country from England to Wales is particularly bad! One way I’ve saved money in the past is by taking a coach. National Express coaches run several journeys from London Victoria to Mid and South Wales.

The first option is to travel to Hereford, a small border city in the south-east, with the journey taking just over four hours. Tickets are much cheaper than trains – usually £10–15 for a return per person.

From Hereford, you can take the 461 bus into mid-Wales. Although the journey takes around an hour and a half, it is absolutely stunning, winding through narrow roads and expansive green hillsides. The route terminates in Llandrindod Wells, from where you can explore the surrounding area and towns such as Rhayader and Builth Wells using additional bus connections. A return ticket to Llandrindod costs around £16 per person.

The last 461 service departs at 5pm from the same station where the coach drops you off, or there is a later service at 6.20pm that only goes as far as Knighton. Depending on the day of travel, you may or may not be able to catch a coach that arrives in time for the last bus to Llandrindod. There is a 12.30pm coach departure that connects well, but it does not run every day, so this option is best if you are flexible with your travel dates.

For the return journey, the last coach from Hereford to London departs at 11.20am, which connects with the 9am 461 service from Llandrindod.

If you are heading west towards Cardigan Bay, you can also take advantage of another National Express coach service. Departing daily from London Victoria at 11am, it is a rather gruelling eight-hour journey to Aberystwyth, so make sure to bring water and plenty of snacks. The advantage is that tickets cost only £25–30 for a return per person.

Finally, there are coaches that travel along the south coast all the way to Pembrokeshire. You can travel from London Victoria to Tenby without any changes on a six-and-a-half-hour journey, with fares starting at £25. Other destinations served include Cardiff, Swansea, Carmarthen, Llanelli, Pembroke, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest. Check the National Express website to plan your journey and confirm timetables.

Getting to Wales From London Airports

If you’re visiting from abroad, you’ll most likely arrive at one of London’s busy airports, such as Heathrow or Gatwick. In most cases, you will need to travel from the airport to London Euston or London Paddington by train and/or the Underground (London’s metro system).

From London Heathrow

• The Heathrow Express train to Paddington Station (direct) takes only 15 minutes and costs £10 for a single ticket if booked in advance. On the day, prices rise to £25.
• From Paddington, you can take the Underground via the Circle or Hammersmith & City lines, which takes around 20 minutes and costs £2.80 off-peak.
• Alternatively, you can travel directly from Heathrow to Euston Station by Underground, using the Elizabeth line and the Northern line
• Another option, if your journey takes you through Birmingham, is a National Express coach from the airport to Birmingham International, and then continue by train to Shrewsbury and onwards into Wales. Prices start from £16.

From London Gatwick

• You can take a Thameslink train to City Thameslink Station, then transfer to the Underground (Hammersmith & City line) to reach Euston.
• The Thameslink also stops at London Bridge, where you can change to the Jubilee and Bakerloo lines to get to Paddington Station.
• Alternatively, you can take the Gatwick Express to London Victoria, followed by the Underground (Victoria line), although this option is more expensive.
• There is also a National Express coach from Gatwick to Birmingham, with fares starting at just £9.95.

From London Stansted

• Take a Greater Anglia train to Tottenham Hale, then transfer to the Victoria line to reach Euston.
• For Paddington Station, take a Greater Anglia train to London Liverpool Street, then continue on the Elizabeth line to Paddington.
• A coach from Stansted to Birmingham is also available, stopping at Birmingham International near the train station.

From London Luton

• Take an East Midlands train to London St Pancras, then bus 73 to Euston Station.
• For Paddington, the Circle line from St Pancras is a more convenient option.
• The same coach that departs from Heathrow towards Birmingham also stops at Luton, making it a convenient option if you’re travelling via Birmingham.

You can plan your journey from any airport to Euston or Paddington on the Transport for London website, where you can also find information about disruptions or delays. A mobile app is available as well.

It is also worth checking the Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express, and Thameslink websites, as you may be able to secure cheaper fares by booking in advance.

Extra Information And Resources

The maps and itineraries we used for this article are among the most popular in Wales — but of course, there’s much more to explore. If you’re interested in other destinations, a good starting point is the Rail and Bus Network map from Transport for Wales. It’s easy to read and provides a clear overview of the main train and bus routes.

Many websites allow you to buy tickets, each offering its own special deals and discounts. In general, I recommend starting with the Transport for Wales (TfW) website (a mobile app is also available). It’s a reliable source for planning train journeys in Wales and for receiving updates about disruptions, cancellations, and replacement buses. You can book tickets from any train station in London, with Underground connections included, meaning you can use just one platform to manage your entire journey.

You can also check Avanti West Coast when travelling from Euston, and Great West Railway when heading to South Wales from Paddington.

For buses, the Traveline Cymru website is an excellent resource, particularly for journeys that involve both trains and buses. However, it does not allow you to purchase tickets.

Bus tickets are always available to buy on the day from the conductor — often the easiest option — or from an automatic machine where available. Because many different companies operate across various parts of the country, planning everything in advance can sometimes be complicated. I suggest reading our dedicated article about travelling in Wales by public transport, where you’ll find a comprehensive explanation of the ticket types available, when they are most cost-effective, and a list of all the bus operators in the country and the areas they serve.