How much does it cost?

From £1,279 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,728 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Llandudno are included, along with four named heritage railways: the Llanberis Lake Railway, Snowdon Mountain Railway, Ffestiniog Railway, and Welsh Highland Railway.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

Escorted, with a Tour Manager throughout.

Which trains are used?

The Llanberis Lake Railway alongside Lake Padarn, the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the summit, the narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Railway between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Porthmadog, and the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon through the Aberglaslyn Pass.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Wonderful Wales 2027

Escorted Llandudno-based Welsh steam railway tour to Snowdon and Portmeirion

Railtrail Tours' Wonderful Wales is a 6-day escorted tour based at the Empire Hotel in Llandudno for all five nights, with a Tour Manager accompanying the group throughout. Rather than changing hotels, the group rides four heritage railways on consecutive days: the Llanberis Lake Railway alongside Lake Padarn and the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the summit on day 2, the narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Railway to Porthmadog on day 3, and the Welsh Highland Railway through the Aberglaslyn Pass to a visit at Portmeirion on day 4. Day 5 slows the pace with a visit to Bodnant Garden above the River Conwy and a vintage tramcar ride to the summit of the Great Orme for views across the Irish Sea. The operator rates the activity level as Moderate. This suits travellers who want Snowdonia's heritage steam railways and Welsh scenery handled as a group, from a single coastal hotel base rather than repacking each night.

What to know before you look closer

Lunches are not listed as included on any day; only breakfast, evening meals, and a single cream tea on day 5 are covered by the price.
Free periods, including the day 3 afternoon in Porthmadog to explore the harbour or maritime museum, are unguided time rather than led activities.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Llandudno
Arrival in Llandudno
Journey from your home station to Llandudno and make our way to the Empire Hotel, our hotel for the next five nights. Free time to explore before our first evening meal together.
Day 2railovernight: Llandudno
Llanberis Lake Railway and Snowdon Mountain Railway
Five-mile return steam train journey on the Llanberis Lake Railway alongside Lake Padarn with views of Snowdon. Heritage railway adventure to the summit of Snowdon on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, passing viaducts, waterfalls, and gorges. Return through the National Park and Conwy Valley.
Day 3railovernight: Llandudno
Ffestiniog Railway
Coach to Blaenau Ffestiniog to board the narrow-gauge steam train on the Ffestiniog Railway, following the old slate trains route to Porthmadog. Free afternoon to explore the harbour or visit the maritime museum before returning by steam train through the Conwy Valley.
Day 4railovernight: Llandudno
Welsh Highland Railway and Portmeirion
Steam-hauled journey on the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon, climbing into Snowdonia through Beddgelert and the Aberglaslyn Pass. Visit magnificent Portmeirion with its Italian-style architecture and sub-tropical gardens, with a brief stop at Betws-y-Coed on the return.
Day 5overnight: Llandudno
Bodnant Garden and the Great Orme Tramway
Visit Bodnant Garden above the River Conwy, home to National Collections and Champion Trees, with a cream tea. Vintage tramcar ride to the summit of the Great Orme for views across the Irish Sea, followed by free time before the final evening meal.
Day 6
Departure
After breakfast, bid farewell to Llandudno and make your way to the station for homeward journeys.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Day 2: Heritage railway adventure to the summit of Snowdon on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, passing viaducts, waterfalls, and gorges.
Day 3Day 3: Narrow-gauge steam train on the Ffestiniog Railway, following the old slate trains route to Porthmadog.
Day 4Day 4: Steam-hauled journey on the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon, climbing into Snowdonia through Beddgelert and the Aberglaslyn Pass.
Day 5Day 5: Vintage tramcar ride to the summit of the Great Orme for views across the Irish Sea.

Included

5 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 cream tea
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions & admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,279 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,728 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Llandudno are included, along with four named heritage railways: the Llanberis Lake Railway, Snowdon Mountain Railway, Ffestiniog Railway, and Welsh Highland Railway.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: Escorted, with a Tour Manager throughout.
Which trains are used?: The Llanberis Lake Railway alongside Lake Padarn, the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the summit, the narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Railway between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Porthmadog, and the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon through the Aberglaslyn Pass.
What hotel am I staying in?: The Empire Hotel in Llandudno for all five nights.