adeo Travel · Independent Rail Tour

Explore Wales by Rail

13-day self-guided Wales rail tour on three heritage steam railways

Explore Wales by Rail, a rail journey with adeo Travel

adeo Travel runs this 13-day mostly self-guided rail tour of Wales, using a 15-day BritRail Consecutive Pass to link Cardiff, Tenby, Aberystwyth, Portmeirion, Llandudno and London. The tour spends two nights in each destination, opening in Cardiff with its castle and Victorian shopping arcades before a rail journey through Pembrokeshire to the harbor town of Tenby. Day 5 swaps the train for a private chauffeur-guided drive to Aberystwyth by way of St Davids, and from there three of Wales's heritage steam lines take over: the Vale of Rheidol Railway to Devil's Bridge, the Welsh Highland Railway around the base of Snowdon, and the Ffestiniog Railway, described on the operator's page as the world's oldest narrow-gauge railway. The route also passes Harlech Castle and the Italianate village of Portmeirion before returning through England to London. With mostly self-guided days and only one private-guide excursion, this suits independent travelers drawn to Wales's castles and heritage railways.

What to know before you look closer

  • All six hotels are given as a choice between two named properties, such as "Castell Deudraeth or Portmeirion Hotel", so the confirmed hotel depends on availability.
  • Day 5's journey between Tenby and Aberystwyth is a private chauffeur-guided car tour, not a rail leg, the only day of the 13 that does not use the train.
  • BritRail Passes do not cover the London Underground, and taxis or transfers from stations to hotels are not included.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cardiff

    Arrival and Rail to Cardiff

    After arriving into Heathrow or Gatwick Airports, validate your BritRail Passes and travel by rail to the vibrant Welsh capital city of Cardiff. Wander the Edwardian baroque architecture of Cathays Park, the Victorian market and shopping arcades, or tour the Millennium Stadium. The city's magnificent centrepiece is Cardiff Castle, combining Roman walls and Norman tower with a lavish Victorian mansion.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Cardiff

    Cardiff Bay and Caerphilly Castle

    A short train ride from the centre is the cosmopolitan Cardiff Bay, home to the seat of Welsh government, the Millennium Centre, the Pierhead building and Norwegian Church. Choose to visit the open-air museum at St Fagan's or take a short train ride to Caerphilly to see the 13th century fortress at Caerphilly Castle.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Tenby

    Rail to Fishing Town of Tenby

    Today board the train and head West through industrial South Wales then into the rolling hills of Carmarthenshire, on to Pembrokeshire. Head for Tenby, home to a bustling natural harbour, Norman Castle and city walls, cobbled streets and sandy bays.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Tenby

    Pembrokeshire Towns and Villages

    With Tenby as your base today, make short rail journeys to nearby towns and villages of Pembrokeshire, such as the harbour village of Saundersfoot, the village of Lamphey with its historic Bishop's Palace, or the town of Pembroke and its medieval fortress at Pembroke Castle.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Aberystwyth

    Rail to the Coast of West Wales

    Today be collected by a private driver and explore countryside gems including St Davids, Britain's smallest city, then continue along Cardigan Bay to Aberystwyth. Stroll the elegant mile-long promenade, visit the National Library of Wales, and take Britain's longest cliffside railway up to the world's largest obscura camera.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Aberystwyth

    Vale of Rheidol Railway and Devil's Bridge

    Board the Edwardian restored steam train and take in the changing countryside scenery from open fields to woodlands and rugged mountains, climbing 700ft to Devil's Bridge, home to famous waterfalls nestled in the Cambrian Mountains.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Portmeirion

    Rail to the Italianate Portmeirion

    Embark on an incredibly scenic rail journey hugging the coast of West Wales from Aberystwyth to Portmeirion. Designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion's Riviera-inspired houses, ornamental garden and campanile offer shops, cafes and 70 acres of woodland to explore, including the famous "Stone Boat".

  8. Day 8railovernight: Portmeirion

    Harlech Beach and Castle

    A short rail journey to Harlech brings stretching beaches and dunes, artisan ice cream shops and the steepest street in the world. The highlight is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Harlech Castle, where for the first time in over 600 years visitors can cross the 'floating' bridge into its defences.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Llandudno

    Ffestiniog Railway and Llandudno

    Back onto the Welsh Highland Railway skirting around the base of Snowdon, change onto the Ffestiniog Railway - the world's oldest narrow gauge railway - climbing over 700 feet from sea level. Reaching Blaenau Ffestiniog, change onto the mainline and head south along the Conwy Valley line to the Victorian resort town of Llandudno.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Llandudno

    Caernarfon and Caernarfon Castle

    Jump on the train to Bangor then a short bus ride to Caernarfon, home to Caernarfon Castle, one of Edward I's fortress palaces. Time permitting, take a taxi to Llanberis for a steam train ride to the summit of Mount Snowdon.

  11. Day 11railovernight: London

    Rail to London and Icons of London

    Today return over the border and through the heart of England to London. Explore world renowned sights including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral. By evening take a flight on the London Eye.

  12. Day 12railovernight: London

    Day Trips from London

    Today is free to continue exploring London, its art galleries and museums. Your rail pass and London's rail connections offer opportunities for day trips to Oxford, Cambridge, Salisbury, Canterbury, Brighton or Portsmouth.

  13. Day 13rail

    Return Home

    Today bid farewell to the UK as you board the Heathrow or Gatwick Express rail links to take you back to your departure airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 6The Vale of Rheidol's Edwardian restored steam train climbs 700 feet through changing scenery to Devil's Bridge in the Cambrian Mountains.
  • Day 7The rail journey from Aberystwyth to Portmeirion hugs the coast of West Wales to reach Sir Clough Williams-Ellis's Italianate village.
  • Day 8Harlech Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lets visitors cross a 'floating' bridge into its defences for the first time in over 600 years.
  • Day 9The Welsh Highland Railway skirts the base of Snowdon before connecting to the Ffestiniog Railway, described on the operator's page as the world's oldest narrow-gauge railway, climbing over 700 feet from sea level.

Included

  • 12 nights' accommodation (suggested accommodations listed below)
  • Full cooked regional breakfast each morning
  • BritRail Consecutive (15 day) Passes – 15 days of travel on the British National Rail Network, fully flexible and unlimited, covering all outlined rail journeys including transit on the Heathrow or Gatwick Express rail links
  • A private guided day tour between Tenby and Aberystwyth
  • Vale of Rheidol Heritage Steam Train
  • Ffestiniog Railway Steam Train
  • CADW Wales Explorer Pass (7 in 14 days) – admission to dozens of historic sites, castles and attractions across Wales including Caerphilly Castle, Caernarfon Castle and Conwy Castle
  • Admission to Cardiff Castle in Cardiff
  • adeo Travel documents pack and suggested rail schedule information for each point-to-point journey including journey durations, departure stations and travel departure times
  • Toll-free calls (from USA and Canada) to your Britain vacation specialist whilst planning your trip
  • Expert assistance during the planning of your trip and local out-of-hours number for use during travel

Not included

  • Travel on the London Underground rail network (separate to the national rail network; BritRail Passes not valid)
  • Taxis / transfers from train stations to your hotels
  • Trip Insurance
  • Flights
  • Meals and/or sightseeing other than that outlined above

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, a 15-day BritRail Consecutive Pass covers standard-class travel throughout, plus the Vale of Rheidol and Ffestiniog heritage steam trains are included.
Is it guided or independent?
Mostly self-guided; day 5 between Tenby and Aberystwyth is run as a private chauffeur-guided day tour.
What hotels are used?
Lincoln House Hotel in Cardiff, Heywood Spa in Tenby, Gwesty Cymru in Aberystwyth, Castell Deudraeth or Portmeirion Hotel in Portmeirion, Dunoon Hotel or St George's Hotel in Llandudno, and The Kensington in London.
Which heritage trains are included?
The Vale of Rheidol Railway from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge, the Welsh Highland Railway around the base of Snowdon, and the Ffestiniog Railway to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
What is not included?
The London Underground, taxis or transfers from stations to hotels, trip insurance, flights, and meals or sightseeing beyond what's listed.
What is the price?
The tour starts at 2,565 GBP (3,426 USD), about 264 USD per day.

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