Travel Ideas
Just a few ideas of how you can have an enjoyable day out using the railway…
Rovers
There are several Rovers that can be purchased, which give you unlimited travel on parts of TfW’s network. These are a cost-effective and flexible way of enjoying the railway and the many places it serves; you even get a discount if you’ve got a Railcard! These can only be purchased at main stations (i.e. not Church Stretton), or on the train. Also, travel is possible at any time, any day, up until midnight.
Heart of Wales Circular Day Ranger
This offers the possibility of an interesting round trip via South Wales, taking in the picturesque Heart of Wales (HoW) line (via Llandrindod) and the main line (via Hereford); or you can use the HoW line in both directions for ad-hoc exploration. It costs £43, or £28.35 with a Railcard; they also offer a 2-day version.
Ffestiniog Round Robin
This gives you the chance to sample the North Wales Coast line and the Cambrian Coast line as well as the excellent narrow gauge steam-hauled Ffestiniog Railway, which takes you between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Porthmadog. Excellent value at £40, or £26.60 with a Railcard. Note that Shrewsbury is the nearest station on this ticket, so you will need to pay a little extra to get there.
North Wales Rover
A great ticket for exploring North Wales, it gives you a day’s unlimited travel on the North Wales Coast and Cambrian Coast lines, as well as most bus services in the North Wales area. The All Zone option costs £40, or £26.40 with a Railcard; the All Zone option is required in order to travel from Shrewsbury, the nearest valid station.
Multi-day Passes
Explore Wales Pass
A great ticket for exploring the whole of Wales. It is valid for any four days within an eight day period, which gives you some useful flexibility. The validity area includes the Marches line, through Church Stretton. As well as the TfW services, it is also valid on the other rail services and major bus services in Wales. This pass can only be purchased from Shrewsbury railway station and has a Mon-Fri 0930 limitation (except for HoW). £104, or £68.60 with some Railcards (namely: 16-25, Two Together, Disabled and Senior).
Explore North and Mid Wales Pass
Similar to the above, but only North and Mid Wales, which includes the Cambrian Coast line from Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury is the nearest valid station. £73, or £48.15 with Railcards as listed above.
Explore South Wales Pass
Similar to the above, but only South Wales, which includes the main line and HoW line from Shrewsbury, southwards. £73, or £48.15 with Railcards as listed above.
Information on all of these is available here.
E & O E