The bustling metropolis of London might be worlds apart from the enchanting countryside and charming towns of Wales, but you can get there in just a few hours so it’s a popular retreat for Londoners.
If you’re thinking of visiting, I’ve put together this detailed guide which breaks down all of the main ways to get from London to Wales, whether you’re planning to go it alone or want to take a tour.
How To Visit Wales From London
There are three main ways you can visit Wales from London, these are:
- By yourself on a road trip
- By yourself on public transport
- With an organized tour
In this guide, I’m going to talk about each of these methods and give my top tips to help you plan.
The first thing you’ll need to decide is whether you want to visit North Wales or South Wales. Both are great choices for someone visiting Wales for the first time.
I generally prefer North Wales which has beautiful landscapes and the county’s best castles.
However, if you’re visiting by public transport or on an organised tour, then South Wales is a much easier option. Here, you’ll find the vibrant Welsh cities full of excellent museums and family attractions.
1. Road Trip from London to Wales
The best way to visit Wales from London is by taking a road trip. Wales is best when experienced with a car as you’ll have much more flexibility and you’ll be able to go further into the beautiful countryside which Wales is best known for.
If you’re visiting by car, I’ve put together three Wales road trip itineraries in North Wales, South Wales, and West Wales.
My South Wales road trip itinerary begins in Hay-on-Wye and ends in Chepstow which is ideal for those travelling from England. An extra addition you might consider adding en route is the Cotswolds, a beautiful area in England home to picturesque villages and charming market towns.
If you’re doing a North Wales road trip from London, my itinerary begins in Conwy. To get here, follow the M6 from London to Chester, then join the A55 which is the dual carriageway that runs along the North Wales coast.
The North Wales itinerary ends in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), so you’ll take a different route back to London along the A5 to Birmingham.
2. Visiting Wales From London on Public Transport
If you don’t have access to a car, don’t worry as it’s still possible to visit Wales by yourself using public transport.
➤ By Train
The best way to visit Wales without a car is by using the train.
Trains run direct from London to South Wales, stopping at Cardiff and Swansea, both of which are great places to visit without a car. I tend to prefer Swansea as it has a beach (shown above) and you also have easy access to the Gower peninsular on public transport.
As for North Wales, the easiest route is to change in Birmingham onto the Birmingham to Holyhead line which stops in lots of major towns across North Wales.
I recommend booking via The Train Line as you can store your ticket on your phone and easily apply for virtual railcards which will save you money.
I have put together two itineraries for visiting Wales by train which will give you more detail.
➤ By Bus
The cheapest way to visit Wales from London is by bus with prices starting from just £10 per person.
There are direct National Express services from London to Swansea, which also stop in Cardiff.
The journey to South Wales is just about manageable, taking between 4-5 hours. Getting to North Wales by bus takes more than 9 hours so I wouldn’t recommend this, consider a road trip instead.
Organised tours from London to Wales
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, visiting by yourself is the best option as you can take things at a leisurely pace and discover hidden gems.
However, for those that want to take all of the hassle out of planning and organizing the trip, or if you’re looking for a community of people to travel with, an organised tour from London to Wales with a dedicated guide could be a good option.
The best choice is the Rabbies Discover Wales 5-day tour from London. On this trip, you’ll get to sample a little bit from each region of Wales.
The tour visits all three of the National Parks in Wales, some cute towns, coastal villages, castles, cathedrals, and, and museums.
You’ll spend two nights in Aberystwyth (Mid-Wales) and two nights in Tenby (West Wales). You can book the accommodation yourself, or Rabbies can book it for you at an extra cost. All of the details are on the information page.
If you’d rather a shorter trip, Rabbies also run a 3-day tour of South and West Wales. However, keep in mind that this trip begins and ends in Bristol, not London, so you would still need to make your own way there.
I don’t tend to recommend taking a day trip to Wales as you’ll be very rushed and will only see one or two attractions. However, if this is your only option, then you might want to consider Anderson Tours’ day trip from London to Cardiff.
You’ll get picked up from 7.30am and head straight to Cardiff. You’ll take a sightseeing coach tour of the city, then you’ll visit Cardiff Bay for lunch, and nearby the nearby seaside town of Penarth.
Finally, you’ll visit Cardiff Castle (entrance fee included) and get some free time in the city centre in the afternoon, returning to London around 9pm.
Related Questions
Can I Take a Train From London to Wales?
Yes, there are direct trains from London to South Wales, stopping in Newport, Cardiff, and Swansea. You can also take the train to North Wales by changing in Birmingham.
How Much is a Train From London to Wales?
It generally costs anywhere between £40-£60 to take a train from London to Wales. The cheaper option is to take a bus with National Express.
Can You Take a Day Trip To Wales From London?
Yes, it’s possible to do a day trip to Wales from London, there are even one-day organised tours. However, you won’t get chance to see much so I generally don’t recommend this, ideally you’ll want at least a week to properly explore the country.
How Many Days Are Enough To Visit Wales?
I tend to recommend spending at least 5-7 days in Wales to get a real taste of the country and to enjoy the diversity of coastlines, national parks, and built-up areas.
Can You Visit Wales Without a Car?
Yes, whilst Wales is best experienced with your own transport, it’s also possible to enjoy it without a car by using public transport. See my full guide to visiting Wales without a car for some itinerary recommendations.
Do I Need a Passport or Visa To Visit Wales?
No, there are no border checks between England and Wales when travelling by land. Both England and Wales are part of the United Kingdom so the same visa and entry rules apply to both.
If you are flying from London to Cardiff Airport, you may need to show some ID to board the flight, although you don’t need a passport.
Published: 8 July 2023 · Last updated: 28 August 2023