Travel to and around Wales

Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) are being introduced worldwide for visitors to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have a UK immigration status prior to travelling.

The changes are being made to introduce a more streamlined, digital immigration system wich will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year.

Visitors to the UK who do not need a visa for short stays (up to six months) and do not have a UK immigration status, will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

From 25 February 2026 eligible visitors without one will not be able to board their transport and cannot legally travel to the UK.

Eligible visitors who take connecting flights (transiting) and go through UK passport control need an ETA. Those transiting through Heathrow and Manchester airports who do not go through UK passport control do not currently need an ETA.

British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA, including dual citizens. Dual British citizens must have a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement when travelling to the UK.

An ETA costs £16 (GBP), permits multiple journeys and is valid for two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever date is sooner. 

Applying for an ETA is quick and simple. Visit the Government's website for more information and how to apply for an ETA 

Wales is well connected by air and it is easy to get here from the UK or overseas. Travel directly into Cardiff Airport, just 20 minutes outside the capital city in South Wales,  and Bristol airport just 45 minutes from South Wales. For North Wales  Manchester and Liverpool airport are just over one hour travel time into Wales, whilst Birmingham Airport is just under two hours and services Mid Wales. London airports are also  two hours with good links by road and rail for visitors wishing to travel to Wales.  

Cardiff Airport has over 25 direct routes and is connected to hundreds of other destinations through major hubs including Amsterdam Schiphol via KLM. Cardiff Airport has a number of direct and indirect flights to other UK and international destinations.

WestJet will operate a direct flight to Cardiff Airport from Toronto,Canada from May 26 and will operate 4 times a week.

Chartered flights and other welcome services for delegates can be arranged at Cardiff Airport. 

Wales has excellent daily ferry crossings from Ireland to Wales:
 
Irish Ferries

Dublin Port to Holyhead
Journey time: 1hr 49min (Fast ferry)
Journey time: 3hr 15min (Cruise ferry)

Rosslare to Pembroke
Journey time: 4hr (Cruise ferry)

Stena Line

Dublin Port to Holyhead
Journey time: 3hr 15min (Superferry)

Rosslare to Fishguard
Journey time: 3hr 30min (Superferry)

There are also ferry crossings from mainland Europe to the UK, with easy road and rail journeys to Wales:-

Brittany Ferries
Condor Ferries
DFDS Seaways
LD Lines Ferries
P&O Ferries
Stena Line

The Eurostar links Britain with many European cities such as Paris, Lille, Amsterdam and Brussels via London St Pancras International. London St Pancras International has connecting services via The London Underground to London Paddington and London Euston which offer direct trains to North and South Wales and Mid Wales via connecting travel. For Eurostar group travel information visit their website.

Wales has frequent direct train services from the all over UK. National Rail Enquiries is a source of information for all passenger rail services and fares in the UK.

Trainline provides rail information, timetables and sells tickets.

Traveline Cymru is a useful website for planning rail and bus journeys in Wales.

Some train companies offer additional benefits for groups:

Avanti West Coast offer discounted group train fairs and have staff available to help with any large group booking enquiries. 

Avanti VIP is a bespoke package where you can hire a private carriage for corporate groups. 

Transport for Wales (TfW) and Great Western Railway (GWR) both offer special rates for group travel. TfW also offer an Explore Wales Pass, enabling your clients to explore Wales by train and selected bus routes at a discounted rate, valid for four days within an eight day period. Unlimited travel for an entire day is also available with a Rover or Ranger ticket. 

From London: 

Transport for Wales (TfW) run onwards services along the South Wales coast calling at main stations to Pembrokeshire and Great Western Railway (GWR) run direct services from London Paddington to Newport, Cardiff and Swansea. 

Avanti West Coast run services from London Euston to Holyhead in North Wales stopping along the North Wales coast, Bangor and Holyhead.

From other areas:

Transport for Wales (TfW) operate the following services:

• from Manchester, Crewe and Chester along the North Wales Coast including key stations Llandudno, Bangor and Holyhead;
• from Birmingham International and Shrewsbury to Newtown, Machynlleth, Pwllheli and Aberystwyth; 
• run services between Cardiff and Holyhead via Shrewsbury stations including Abergavenny, Chirk and Wrexham and stations along the North Wales coast. 

There are also services along The Heart of Wales Line, a scenic rural route between Swansea and Shrewsbury. It was ranked amongst the top ten train rides in Europe for 2024 by world famous travel guide Lonely Planet.

Avanti West Coast run from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool with connecting services to Holyhead.

Great Western Railway (GWR) operate services that have connections to South Wales from destinations such as Bristol, Devon, Cornwall, Plymouth, Exeter, Bath and the Cotswolds.

Merseyrail and Cross Country also offer routes to key connecting train stations in to Wales. 

The three fastest roads in to Wales are;

• M56 – which enters in to North Wales;
• M54 – which enters in to Mid Wales;
• M4 – which enters in to South Wales. 

The M4 is the main motorway which connects South Wales. The A55 is the main dual carriageway through North Wales. The A470 is the backbone road of Wales which connects the South and North. It is a picturesque route that includes Eryri (Snowdonia), the Cambrian Mountains and the Brecon Beacons. Wales does have some of the most scenic drives in Great Britain. 

Hire cars are available in the main towns and cities of Wales and a number of companies offer chauffeur drive limousines for hire and private coaches. 

The National Express coach network links major towns and cities in the UK. Direct routes to Wales include;

• London Victoria Coach Station > Cardiff, Swansea, Pembrokeshire;
• London Victoria Coach Station and Birmingham > Wrexham, Llangollen, Newtown, Aberystwyth;
• London Gatwick Airport, London Heathrow Airport and Bristol > Cardiff, Swansea;
• Hull, Nottingham, Leicester and Birmingham > Cardiff, Swansea, Pembrokeshire;
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne, York, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Chester > North Wales.