Getting to Swansea, on the South Wales coast, takes time. It’s at least a short break commitment, not a day trip, but well worth it.
Swansea is the gateway to The Gower and some of the most beautiful beaches in Britain and some of the most interesting prehistoric sites in Wales. . It is also the hometown of Catherine Zeta Jones. And trust us, Mumbles Pier is where you can find some of the best paper cones filled with fries (potato chips) on earth.
In addition to the beach and pier, Swansea is home to the National Museum of the Welsh Coast, a modern slate and glass building, opened in 2005 and showcasing 300 years of Welsh industrial history. And Oystermouth Castle overlooking Mumbles, a nearly 1,000-year-old Norman castle, offers great views of Swansea Bay.
Use these information resources to compare travel alternatives and plan your trip.
How to get to Swansea
By train
Great Western operates hourly direct trains from London Paddington Station to Swansea throughout the day. The journey takes about three hours and in winter 2019 their cheapest standard round-trip fare was about £ 50 for off-peak services when purchased in advance as two individual (one-way) tickets. Be careful when booking trips that involve changing trains. Some of the trips that include the change at Bristol Parkway station involve changing from a train to a bus.
- Read more about train travel in the UK
- Plan a trip with The National Rail Inquiries Journey Planner
UK Travel Tip: Finding the right combination of one-way tickets to arrive at the cheapest fare for a longer journey can be confusing and time-consuming. You can spend a lot of time trying different combinations. It’s easier to let National Rail Inquiries do it for you with their cheapest fare finder. To get the best rate, be flexible about travel time and click on the “All Day” button at the far right of the form.
By bus
The National Express Buses from London to Swansea take between 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 hours round trip and up to 7 hours (on a late bus). You can spend around £ 60 for a round trip, but if you buy your tickets in advance and are willing to leave at around noon in both directions, you could spend as little as £ 10.40 each way (as of February 2019 ). Cheap, non-refundable tickets, known as fun fares, are available on a first-come, first-served basis to get ahead of ticket buyers. The best way to find these rates is to use the Cheap Fare Finder to discover the lowest prices and special offers.
Buses travel between London Victoria Coach Station and Swansea several times a day.
Bus tickets can be purchased online. There may be a booking fee of 50 pence to £ 2, depending on the type of ticket you buy. Paper tickets, self-print e-tickets, and mobile phone tickets are available.
- Read about bus travel in the UK
By car
Swansea is 187 miles west of London via the M4 and A483 roads. It takes at least 3 hours 40 minutes to drive and given the erratic traffic on the M4 (the main route to London from Heathrow) it can take much longer. Remember also that gasoline, called petrol in the UK, is sold by the liter (just over a quart) and the price generally ranges from $ 1.50 to $ 2 per quart.
- Use the Automobile Association Route Planner to map a route with suggested stopovers and gas stations.
- Check daily gasoline prices (gasoline)
If you decide to stay
Swansea is a small city with a university, so at certain times of the year, during special campus events, the beginning and end of the term, it can be difficult to reserve a room. Swansea City Football Club plays in the Championship League and is popular with fans across Wales and Swansea Rugby Club is a Welsh rugby union team that plays in the Premier League. Plan ahead if you travel during sports seasons or when special events happen on campus because rooms and seats on trains and buses will be hard to come by.
