Wales tour by train
Includes train from Manchester to Llandudno and all train travel in Wales.
Transfers as described.
Private walking tours in Conwy and Tenby & a boat tour from St David’s.
Description of Wales tour by train
Discover some of the most breathtaking scenery in Wales as you journey by train around some of this wildly beautiful country’s must-see destinations: Conwy, with its imposing and amazingly well-preserved 13th century castle; the fairytale village of Portmeirion, famously used for The Prisoner, and the gorgeous Pembrokeshire coast.
Travelling by rail is a relaxed and immensely enjoyable way to tour Wales, with a two-week itinerary allowing plenty of time to explore at each stop. This is a tailormade tour, allowing you flexibility on your travel dates, and the opportunity to upgrade accommodations if you wish – you’ll stay in a succession of hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis. However while you will be unaccompanied for the most part, there will be several guided tours waiting for you on arrival in key locations such as Conwy and Swansea, with the pretty seaside village of Mumbles in Swansea Bay. And of course, a 24-hour support network is there just in case of any issues.
You’ll begin in Manchester, continuing to Llandudno on the Great Orme Peninsula with its Victorian promenade, and then on by bus to Conwy, for an expert guided tour of the castle. From Conwy its a romantic steam train trip to Portmeirion, via the mining capital of Blaenau Ffestiniog, travelling in first-class luxury. Designed in the style of an Italian tourist village, Portmeirion became famous through its use as a setting for the iconic 60s TV drama, The Prisoner.
Next you’ll pass through the beautiful Cardigan Bay via Porthmadog and Abergavenny, before you arrive in the Welsh capital, Cardiff. You’ll have a day here to explore the city at your own pace before continuing on to Swansea and a guided tour there.
From Swansea you’ll continue west through Penally and the historic seaside community of Penally, eventually reaching your final destination: the lovely Pembrokeshire coast. You’ll explore this rugged landscape first on an exciting land rover tour, and then by boat, with a tour of the coast and its offshore islands led by an expert guide. Expect to see plenty of birdlife including puffins and gannets.
With growing interest in rail travel as a way to combat climate change, there’s no better way to discover Wales than by train. Romantic, convenient and full of incredible views, like a classic Welsh choir this trip hits all the right notes.
Map
Price information
Includes train from Manchester to Llandudno and all train travel in Wales.
Transfers as described.
Private walking tours in Conwy and Tenby & a boat tour from St David’s.
Departure information
Travel guides
Holiday information
Reviews
2 Reviews of Wales tour by train
Reviewed on 09 Jun 2026 by Brenda Dryall
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Afon Guest House, Port Meirion, Michael Thompson our guide in Conwy. Incredibly good weather, in fact shockingly good weather.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure to check to see what kind of local/regional holidays are taking place in the places you are planning to visit. It could impact getting tickets for some attractions and coordinating travel arrangements (i.e. taxis). In some areas taxis are very limited and to reschedule may not be possible.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We mostly took trains so there was some reduced environmental impacts. We ate locally.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a good holiday. Wales is a beautiful country and the people are very friendly.
Reviewed on 01 Oct 2023 by Kenneth Gomes
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Everything
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Blue lagoon
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
10
Responsible Travel
Planet
We are continually increasing our range of public transport holidays for those who want to leave the car behind. This fortnight-long holiday is designed for car-free visitors, and we grapple with the complicated timetables to ensure a relaxing journey throughout, combining regular rail services with first-class travel on heritage steam railways. Road transfers are added only to reach locations beyond the end of the train line, along with a small number of private tours to enhance the experience, including guided walking tours of Conwy and Tenby.We take the utmost care to choose local business partners who share our values and commitment to sustainable travel. We predominantly market our holidays via the internet. We produce a small quantity of compact brochures each year for past customers and enquirers. Anything we do have left over, we ensure is recycled.
We are corporate members of the John Muir Trust, an organisation committed to protecting the wild land of the Scottish highlands and islands.
People
We believe tourism should make a genuine difference to the communities it relies on, particularly in remote and often rural areas.. That’s why we work almost exclusively with local, family-run businesses, not with large corporate organisations. The accommodation chosen takes you a little off the beaten tourist track, so that you will have a more authentic experience. On this trip we have included a number of private guided tours, all of which are led by local guides that we have handpicked due to their knowledge and dedication to their community. We are members of AITO, the Association of Independent Tour Operators, and adhere to their strict code of conduct.We directly employ a small team of local people in Glasgow, who travel to work by public transport, cycling or on foot. We ensure staff undertake at least two recce visits in a year so that we can always recommend and include the best local experiences and restaurants throughout Scotland, England, Ireland & Wales.
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