Swansea-Fort William travel advice (for event starting from Ben Nevis at 0900)

[aar0]

Hi all,

In early October I’m doing the Three Peaks, and want to get up to Fort William to start with Ben Nevis the next morning.

I imagined my route would be Swansea - Crewe (preferably a 67/225), then Glasgow, and Fort William. It’s looking less easy than I imagined, I’ve got not issue with taking the 0543 from Swansea, but then I appear to be stuck at Crewe or Glasgow for hours, already being too late for the 0808 to Glasgow and once every four hours service to Fort William at 1222. I’d consider flying but that’s not looking easier, faster, or cheaper. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

 

[gazthomas]

Hi all,

In early October I’m doing the Three Peaks, and want to get up to Fort William to start with Ben Nevis the next morning. I imagined my route would be Swansea - Crewe (preferably a 67/225), then Glasgow, and Fort William. It’s looking less easy than I imagined, I’ve got not issue with taking the 0543 from Swansea, but then I appear to be stuck at Crewe or Glasgow for hours, already being too late for the 0808 to Glasgow and once every four hours service to Fort William at 1222. I’d consider flying but that’s not looking easier, faster, or cheaper. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Have you considered the Caledonian Sleeper from Birmingham International? Or Crewe?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

If you travel the previous evening, you could alternatively connect into the Caledonian Sleeper at Crewe. Arrive Fort William at 1000.

 

[MalaiseForever]

Hi all,

In early October I’m doing the Three Peaks, and want to get up to Fort William to start with Ben Nevis the next morning. I imagined my route would be Swansea - Crewe (preferably a 67/225), then Glasgow, and Fort William. It’s looking less easy than I imagined, I’ve got not issue with taking the 0543 from Swansea, but then I appear to be stuck at Crewe or Glasgow for hours, already being too late for the 0808 to Glasgow and once every four hours service to Fort William at 1222. I’d consider flying but that’s not looking easier, faster, or cheaper. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Stay the previous night in the Premier Inn by Crewe station and get the 0808 from Crewe?

 

[aar0]

Have you considered the Caledonian Sleeper from Birmingham International? Or Crewe?

I did, but the 1000 arrival (and only seats left) would see me miss our planned start at 0900 on Ben Nevis!

Stay the previous night in the Premier Inn by Crewe station and get the 0808 from Crewe?

I’d rather not if possible - got caring responsibilities and going away for two nights is already a push.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Aug 2026 ==

If you travel the previous evening, you could alternatively connect into the Caledonian Sleeper at Crewe. Arrive Fort William at 1000.

Actually this isn’t a bad idea, presumably the sleeper at Crewe is late, to the point that I could do bedtime before heading north

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Aug 2026 ==

In fact, appears the best option would be:
0543 Swansea-Crewe 0930
1009 Crewe-Glasgow 1315
1350 Citylink bus to Fort William 1709 (or 1620-1934 if delayed en route)

 

[Flying Snail]

I did, but the 1000 arrival (and only seats left) would see me miss our planned start at 0900 on Ben Nevis!

I’d rather not if possible - got caring responsibilities and going away for two nights is already a push.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Aug 2026 ==


Actually this isn’t a bad idea, presumably the sleeper at Crewe is late, to the point that I could do bedtime before heading north

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Aug 2026 ==

In fact, appears the best option would be:
0543 Swansea-Crewe 0930
1009 Crewe-Glasgow 1315
1350 Citylink bus to Fort William 1709 (or 1620-1934 if delayed en route)

Have you also looked at Ember? 14.20 and 17.20 departures from Glasgow. Also a 14.12 from Edinburgh.

Electric bus between Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Kinross, Edinburgh Airport and more

Travel by electric bus between Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Stirling, Kinross, Fort William, Inverness, Edinburgh Airport and more. Brand-new buses, affordable fares and real-time tracking.

www.ember.to

 

[aar0]

Have you also looked at Ember? 14.20 and 17.20 departures from Glasgow. Also a 14.12 from Edinburgh.

Electric bus between Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Kinross, Edinburgh Airport and more

Travel by electric bus between Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Stirling, Kinross, Fort William, Inverness, Edinburgh Airport and more. Brand-new buses, affordable fares and real-time tracking.

www.ember.to

Ahh those times are better, thank you