Transport related things around Caernarfon

[mikeg]

Obviously there's the Welsh Highland Railway, is it worth it - seems a bit pricey? I did enjoy the Ffestiniog railway a number of years ago, having done the Ffestiniog Round Robin though.

I'm staying 3 nights in Caernarfon this week, will likely be using a 1bws ticket to get around (seems pretty good value)- I notice it has validity on certain TrawsCymru services, notably the T2 and T22 are useful to what limited plans I have. I'm assuming I can buy it on these buses. I was thinking of doing the Talyllyn railway, which is reachable by bus from where I'm staying, as it has a narrow guage museum instead and is significantly cheaper than the Welsh highland railway, especially since you can get money off when presenting a bus or train ticket (for which 1bws would presumably suffice were I to get a paper ticket rather than tap on, tap off). Are there any recommendations as to which heritage railway I should visit or any bus trips/walks in the area? Would you recommend the Welsh Highland Railway or the Talyllyn over one another? Also there seems to be a bus that takes a similar route to the WHR... Would this be good as a poor man's option? Have to admit I quite like narrow guage railways but the price is offputting and not normally much of a kettlehead.

As an aside, I'm travelling from Selby, a simple split with off peak returns at Manchester to Bangor and then pick up the Arriva service to Caernarfon is presumably the best way to get there? All the mapping website seem to think so.

If I could've afforded the hotel ching/had more leave I'd probably have stayed longer, there seems to be a good number of things to do in the general Gwynedd area, as well as Anglesey.

 

[WAB]

Obviously there's the Welsh Highland Railway, is it worth it - seems a bit pricey? I did enjoy the Ffestiniog railway a number of years ago, having done the Ffestiniog Round Robin though.

I personally think it's worth it - the views are magnificent, even in poor weather, and Porthmadog is a good place to spend the lunch time turnaround. The narrow gauge also makes it more fun than a trundle through the countryside in a mark I. It really boils down to how much value you place on each aspect of the trip.

I'm staying 3 nights in Caernarfon this week, will likely be using a 1bws ticket to get around (seems pretty good value)- I notice it has validity on certain TrawsCymru services, notably the T2 and T22 are useful to what limited plans I have. I'm assuming I can buy it on these buses. I was thinking of doing the Talyllyn railway, which is reachable by bus from where I'm staying, as it has a narrow guage museum instead and is significantly cheaper than the Welsh highland railway, especially since you can get money off when presenting a bus or train ticket (for which 1bws would presumably suffice were I to get a paper ticket rather than tap on, tap off). Are there any recommendations as to which heritage railway I should visit or any bus trips/walks in the area? Would you recommend the Welsh Highland Railway or the Talyllyn over one another?

Caernarfon to Tywyn is a fair old trek down rural roads in a car; I suspect it's a bit of a slog by bus too. The Talyllyn is a great day out but I'd be going from a base further south if I was visiting there - with such a long journey on the return I'd not be confident about leaving enough time to properly enjoy the Talyllyn and the immediate area.

Also there seems to be a bus that takes a similar route to the WHR... Would this be good as a poor man's option? Have to admit I quite like narrow guage railways but the price is offputting and not normally much of a kettlehead.

It's been a while since I last took the bus along there, but I seem to recall that it misses out on key views like the Aberglaslyn pass, the s-bends near Beddgelert and the curves west of Rhyd Ddu. The bushes and trees tended to block views more than on the train, too. Even if you're not too into steam traction, the locos get a great workout on the WHR.

If I could've afforded the hotel ching/had more leave I'd probably have stayed longer, there seems to be a good number of things to do in the general Gwynedd area, as well as Anglesey.

I've visited the area many times over the years and still find new things to do - well worth the visit imo.

 

[Harpo]

£18 (less with a railcard) for an Explore Cambrian day ticket is great value. Valid after 09.30 from Pwllheli to Machynlleth and Aberystwyth with spectacular coastal scenery.

All 158s for now so a decent chance of tables/full size window too, especially out of season.

 

[DelW]

Personally I would certainly choose the WHR over the Talyllyn if staying in Caernarfon, the scenery is both varied and spectacular especially if you get a clear day. You can reduce the WHR price a bit by booking from Caernarfon to Beddgelert and return - you miss out Aberglaslyn pass, but you see most of the other scenic highlights, and Beddgelert is a pleasant village. If there's a single (i.e. one-way) ticket available, doing that one way by train and the other by bus might be a cheaper option.

For a much cheaper day out, bus from Caernarfon to Beddgelert then continuing to Porthmadog, either returning directly to Caernarfon or (if there's time) doing the coast route to Pwllheli then on to Caernarfon, offers a good variety of scenery and good eating and drinking options en route. I did this a few years ago and it was a full day but very enjoyable. I don't know how much the bus routes have changed since then though.

 

[splashoutradio]

If it hasn't already been mentioned already, the Sherpa'r Wyddfa (Snowdon Sherpa) network is always worth a trip. Providing the national park isn't under a thick fog, it's very scenic and fully covered by the 1Bws ticket. Two of the five routes also serve Caernarfon.

Sherpa'r Wyddfa | Snowdon Sherpa | a network of connecting buses to get you around Eryri National Park | Snowdonia National Park

A network of connecting bus services around Eryri National Park | Snowdonia National Park from Sherpa'r Wyddfa | Snowdon Sherpa

www.sherparwyddfa.wales

 

[Llanigraham]

If staying at Caernarfon and wanting transporty "things" then no-one has mentioned the Great Orme Tramway, although it would be a bit of a trek on the bus.
Whilst the Welsh Highland looks expensive it is well worth the money.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

How long on the bus from Caernarfon to get across to Bangor and onto the North Wales line, which should then open up a few more day return journey possibilities (such as Conwy, Llandudno, Chester, Blaenau Ffestiniog, etc).

 

[mikeg]

Thanks for your suggestions so far... May end up doing the WHR after all. I noticed the website has a booking fee... What chance do you think I have of just turning up?

 

[DelW]

Thanks for your suggestions so far... May end up doing the WHR after all. I noticed the website has a booking fee... What chance do you think I have of just turning up?

The station at Caernarfon is quite substantial with shop etc., I think it's likely to have a staffed ticket office on operating days.

 

[Gwr12345]

Thanks for your suggestions so far... May end up doing the WHR after all. I noticed the website has a booking fee... What chance do you think I have of just turning up?

Reasonable I'd say, I did a walk up during peak summer season and found it fine, although I did start from the first intermediate station (Pont Croesor)

 

[williamn]

Another vote for WHR, it’s well worth the money and I’d do it over the Talyllyn, which while lovely doesn’t have the wow factors in scenery as much.

 

[AdamWW]

Another vote for WHR, it’s well worth the money and I’d do it over the Talyllyn, which while lovely doesn’t have the wow factors in scenery as much.

And I'll add another one.

I've done a fair few train journeys in my time both in the UK and around the world.

And I'd say that a trip on the full Welsh Highland is among the best. It has a character unlike any heritage line I've been on.

I believe it's the longest heritage railway in the UK, and that's not cheating by adding in the length of the Ffestiniog.

 

[ChrisC]

When I stayed in Caernarfon about 6 years ago I went on the WHR. It is expensive but I’m pleased I did it. Well worth it.

I also had 2 fantastic days out by bus and did quite a bit of walking in some remote locations on those days. Both the days require good dry clear weather.
One of these days was bus to Pwllheli then on down the remote Llyen Peninsular to Aberdaron. On the way back from Aberdaron I changed bus at a quiet village and managed to also visit Abersoch before returning to Phwelli and Caernarfon.
On the other day I used the Snowdon Sherpa Network of buses visiting Llaberis and on to Betws-Y-Coed. I then returned to Pen-Y-Pass where I changed buses for Beddgelert then back to Caernarfon.

 

[mikeg]

Again I'd like to thank you all for the recommendations. I'm currently on the Welsh highland railway awaiting departure reading about the locomotive ng15/kalahari. There was/is loads of room on the train so doing it without booking in advance is certainly possible this time of year and saved me the booking fee too. I check out tomorrow but plan to get some bus travel done after I check out.

 

[LittleRedTrain]

For info (albeit a bit late for the OP) you can also book Ffestiniog/Welsh Highland tickets over the phone on 01766 516024 and don't have to pay the booking fee.

It doesn't help that the booking fee is a percentage, not a flat fee, so gets very expensive if booking for a big group or a special event!