Covid-19 - Please stay local where possible and follow current advice about using public transport. find out more

How to get toFfestiniog & Welsh Highland Railwaycar-free

COVID-19 advice

A special service is running from 20 July onwards, for advance ticket-holders only – please see website.

Please follow current advice about using public transport. Cyclists welcome – plan your route here.

Step-by-step directions

Please check current advice before travelling

How to get to Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway car-free:

From Birmingham and Mid Wales

Take the train to direct Porthmadog on the epic Cambrian Coast Line. You can also join the Ffestiniog Railway at Minffordd**

Train times and tickets

From Porthmadog station it's a 15-minute stroll through the town to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways - see map.

Open map

From Manchester and the North West

For the Ffestiniog Railway: take the train to Blaenau Ffestiniog on the scenic Conwy Valley Line, where the two trains connect.

For the Welsh Highland Railway: take the train to Bangor for the bus to Caernarfon.

Train times and tickets

Bus 5C leaves from Stop H on Station Road, Bangor. Buses leave every 15 minutes and the journey takes half an hour.

  • Bus times from:
    Station Road, Bangor (Stop H)

It's a 10 or 15-minute walk from the bus stop to the Welsh Highland Railway - see map.

Open map

About Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway

The historic Ffestiniog Railway climbs from sea level to over 700ft on its journey through the mountainous Snowdonia National Park and round the UK’s only railway spiral to the 'slate capital' of Blaenau Ffestiniog.

The recently reopened Welsh Highland Railway is the UK's longest narrow gauge railway - an epic 25 mile mountain adventure through the alpine scenery of the Aberglaslyn Pass to the historic castle town of Caernarfon.

  • County: Gwynedd
  • Address: Harbour Station, Porthmadog Gwynedd LL49 9NF
  • Refreshments: Spooner's Grill, Café & Bar at Porthmadog Harbour station and on-train refreshments
  • * Car-free offer:

Visit website

  • Family enjoying the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway

Plan your door-to-door journey

Please check current advice before travelling

Reverse Route

About Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway

The historic Ffestiniog Railway climbs from sea level to over 700ft on its journey through the mountainous Snowdonia National Park and round the UK’s only railway spiral to the 'slate capital' of Blaenau Ffestiniog.

The recently reopened Welsh Highland Railway is the UK's longest narrow gauge railway - an epic 25 mile mountain adventure through the alpine scenery of the Aberglaslyn Pass to the historic castle town of Caernarfon.

  • County: Gwynedd
  • Address: Harbour Station, Porthmadog Gwynedd LL49 9NF
  • Refreshments: Spooner's Grill, Café & Bar at Porthmadog Harbour station and on-train refreshments
  • * Car-free offer:

Visit website

  • Family enjoying the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway
Bike routes

National Route 8 passes through Porthmadog and Caernarfon. It’s a 10-mile cycle from Bangor train station to the Welsh Highland Railway in Caernarfon – here’s the route. If you’d like to take your bike on the steam train, it’s best to book: 01766 516024

Handy Tips

** If changing at Minffordd, check connection times carefully as there are no refreshments or waiting rooms.

*** discounts of up to 50% for holders of some rail rovers/passes – phone for details: 01766 516024

Look out for the Good Journey Mark – where car-free visitors are welcome and enjoy a discount

Visit car-free in 2020!