Aberystwyth Travel: Trains
Main Railway Services to Aberystwyth
Direct train services run from Birmingham New Street to Aberystwyth via Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury every day of the week, normally once every two hours. Fares are reasonable and it's generally a good way to get to Aber. Punctuality is horrendous, however, so do plan your journey to allow for late-running trains.
Rail Route Diagram
Showing the principal direct service between Aberystwyth and Birmingham, stations served and selected connections:
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Train Times and Buying Tickets
For the cheapest fares, book your journey in advance by phone, at a station or online using . The limited-availability "Virgin Value" tickets from London Euston to Aberystwyth can cost as little as £12.50 single, when booked at least 7 days ahead of travel.
If you can't book ahead or if the best value fares have gone, a "Saver Return" ticket for return travel between London and Aberystwyth costs about £56 or between Birmingham and Aberystwyth about £38.
If you are under 26, over 64, are disabled or will be travelling with children, consider buying a National Railcard, which gives one-third off the cost of most tickets.
Suggested Routes:
The majority of major towns and cities have direct train services to Wolverhampton, Birmingham or Shrewsbury, from where you can catch onward trains to Aberystwyth.
From London:
The quickest way of reaching Aberystwyth (about 4 hours 45 minutes) is to take a Virgin Trains train from London Euston to Wolverhampton or Birmingham New Street and then change trains. The last suitable train normally leaves London at around 18.40 on weeknights (earlier on weekends). Note that Arriva trains between Aberystwyth and Birmingham are frequently turned round early at Wolverhampton due to late-running, never reaching Birmingham. It's therefore a good idea to plan to change at Wolverhampton rather than Birmingham if you have the choice.
From South Wales and the South West:
In many cases it may be quicker and cheaper to take a train to Carmarthen, and then catch the connecting X40 bus on to Aberystwyth.
From the North West:
In addition to various other connections, there are several direct trains from Liverpool and Manchester to Shrewsbury, from where Aberystwyth is about two hours by train.
From Airports or European cities
See the international travel page.
Eurostar and Train Travel from Europe
Eurostar services arrive at London's St. Pancras station, and travellers to Aberystwyth will need to make their way to nearby London Euston. This is either a ten minute walk away, or take the Underground's Northern Line or Victoria Line between the two stations. From Euston, regular trains to Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton are available, where onward connections to Aberystwyth can be made.
This page updated 04-Feb-2008