Here at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways you don’t just buy a ticket… You buy an experience!
North Wales has been a go-to summer holiday destination for centuries.
Over the years, holidaymakers have set off for North Wales during the summer months, in search of an area steeped in history with a diverse and rich culture, majestic mountain landscapes, splendid golden beaches, delicious local cuisine, beautiful gardens, iconic attractions and of course steam railways.
These are enticements, which have endearing appeal, whether you were visiting North Wales as a holidaymaker in 1962 or 2022!
In short, visitors set off to North Wales in search of an experience.
Here at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, we understand this and have long prided ourselves on providing visitors with an unforgettable experience.
A warm Welsh greeting, comfortable carriages, unparalleled views of Snowdonia National Park and delicious homemade treats at our station tearooms… we believe we closely embody what visitors to North Wales have long sought and we are now looking forward to welcoming another season of holidaymakers to our railway.
So, this Summer, visit the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, where you don’t just buy a ticket… you buy an experience.
This Summer, our offering is better than ever, with a total of seven super journey options, providing plenty of choice for visitors.
Our trains from Caernarfon:
The Cwellyn : Caernarfon – Rhyd Ddu
Gelert Explorer : Caernarfon – Beddgelert
Snowdonia Star : Caernarfon – Porthmadog
‘The Cwellyn’ is the newest addition to our journey options this summer, a fantastic trip for families, this short afternoon journey provides plenty of breath-taking scenery at an affordable price.
The popular ‘Gelert Explorer’ service journeys along the northern end of the Welsh Highland Railway on a scenic journey filled with variety across the foothills of Snowdon!
Our ‘Snowdonia Star’ journeys a total of 50 miles from coast to coast and back again across the entirety of the Welsh Highland Railway, making it the ultimate grand day-out! This epic journey travels through ever changing scenery passing farmland and forest, crossing the foothills of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), descending steep hillsides, and crossing expansive estuaries. There is always something to see!
Our trains from Porthmadog:
Woodland Wanderer : Porthmadog – Tan-y-Bwlch
Mountain Spirit : Porthmadog – Blaenau Ffestiniog
Glaslyn Venturer : Porthmadog – Beddgelert
The Harbourmaster : Porthmadog – Caernarfon
Our ‘Woodland Wanderer’ heritage service is perfect for young families, providing a throwback 1960s style journey in our preserved heritage carriages to our picturesque Tan-y-Bwlch station.
The ‘Mountain Spirit’ is the classic Ffestiniog Railway experience, journeying between Porthmadog and the historic town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, the slate quarrying town that once ‘Roofed the World’.
Our ‘Glaslyn Venturer’ travels the southern end of the Welsh Highland Railway, providing glorious views of the Snowdonian mountains and the renowned Aberglaslyn Pass with an interval at the idyllic village of Beddgelert.
‘The Harbourmaster’ steams coast to coast from the old slate quays beside the harbour in Porthmadog, journeying inland across the captivating meadows of the Traeth Mawr Estuary, along the renowned splendour of the Aberglaslyn Pass, past the idyllic village of Beddgelert and through the wooded foothills of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) towards the quayside at Caernarfon.
Full details of our 2022 services can be found on the ‘Train Services’ page on our website, where we have added a simple timetable to give more detail for each service.