Transport for Wales

Transport for Wales operate most train services in Wales, including almost all of those which are wholly within Wales. Services from Swansea, Cardiff and Newport to and from London are operated by Great Western Railway, whilst those from North Wales (Holyhead, Bangor, Rhyl and Wrexham) to London are operated by Avanti West Coast. You can buy train tickets online for all Transport for Wales routes on MyTrainTicket.co.uk, and find Arriva train timetables for many Wales-only routes.

Services and routes

There are four main routes along which Transport for Wales services operate – the North Wales main line from Holyhead and Bangor to Chester; the South Wales main line from Newport via Cardiff and Swansea to Pembroke, Fishguard (for ferry services to Ireland) and Milford Haven; the Cardiff – Manchester and North Wales route via Hereford, Shrewsbury, Wrexham and Chester; and the Cambrian lines from Birmingham, Telford and Shrewsbury across central Wales to Aberystwyth, Barmouth and Pwhelli. Transport for Wales also operates the many ‘Valley Lines’ services from Cardiff, and the highly scenic ‘Heart of Wales’ line from Shrewsbury to Swansea via Llandrindod Wells and Llanelli.

The company’s flagship service is the daily Holyhead – Cardiff service via Bangor, Chester, Crewe, Shrewsbury, Hereford and Newport which conveys First Class accommodation and a restaurant service with travelling chef.

Otherwise Transport for Wales services operate with Standard Class accommodation only, though many of the longer-distance services convey at-seat catering.