Aberystwyth Train Services
Regular direct trains normally run every two hours between Birmingham and Aberystwyth via Shropshire and Mid Wales.
Times and Routes
Typical fares and journey opportunities, current at June 2010:
Direct train services to Aberystwyth are available from Birmingham International, Birmingham New Street, Smethwick Galton Bridge and Wolverhampton.
Typical journey time from Birmingham New Street is around 3 hours.
Typical fares from Birmingham New Street:
Take a Virgin Trains service from London Euston and change at Birmingham New Street or Wolverhampton for connecting Arriva Trains Wales service to Aberystwyth.
Total journey time should be comfortably inside 5 hours.
Typical fares from London Euston:
Note: if you are travelling from London to Aberystwyth using the flexible Off Peak Return ticket, you may use any train out of London Euston after the morning rush-hour. Beware that some rail staff have mistakenly claimed otherwise, possibly confused by the restrictions that apply to those travelling shorter distances on the same route.
Direct train services are available to Shrewsbury, where connecting Arriva Trains Wales services to Aberystwyth are available.
From Manchester Piccadilly, total travel time should be under 4 hours; from Chester, the journey is around 3 hours.
Typical fares from Manchester Piccadilly:
From Porthmdog, Pwllheli, Barmouth and elsewhere on Gwynedd's west coast, there are regular trains to Machynlleth and Dovey Junction, for connections to Aberystwyth.
See also: Cambrian Coast Railway for more about this route.
Much of north east Wales and the north Wales coast has convenient train services to Shrewsbury, for onward connections to Aberystwyth.
From the Bangor area and Anglesey, it will often be quicker to make use of the direct Bangor - Aberystwyth X32 bus.
Direct train services are available from most major towns to Shrewsbury, where connecting Arriva Trains Wales services to Aberystwyth are available.
From Cardiff, total travel time should be around 4 hours.
From Swansea and most of south west Wales, it will often be quicker to travel to Carmarthen and then catch the connecting X40 bus onwards.
Typical fares from Cardiff Central:
Most major towns have direct services to Birmingham International, Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton or Shrewsbury, where you can transfer to the Aberystwyth train.
For how to get to Aberystwyth from airports and ferry ports, see: Air and ferry links.
To plan your journey, check fares and buy tickets use , call the Arriva Trains Wales booking line or visit a staffed railway station.
Check Fares and Buy Tickets Online
Cambrian Railcard - discounts for regular travellers
Local residents who regularly use the trains between Aberystwyth, Pwllheli, Machynlleth and Shrewsbury may benefit by buying a Cambrian Railcard. For a payment of £5, cardholders get a third off most rail fares along the route for 12 months.
Other railcards, valid across the UK, are also available for people aged over 60, under 26, disabled or travelling with children. See: National Railcards
National Rail Enquiries
- Times, fares and advice - English
- 0845 748 4950*
- Times, fares and advice - Welsh
- 0845 604 0500*
- Website
- www.nationalrail.co.uk
Arriva Trains Wales
- Customer Services
- 0845 606 1660*
- Ticket Sales
- 0870 900 0773*
- Assisted Travel Bookings
- 0845 300 3005*
- Website
- www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk
* Calling these numbers costs up to 35p/minute and the company you're calling may well be profiting from your call! Cheaper alternative numbers can often be found at: www.saynoto0870.com.
