We are planning to ferry over to Rosslare, Ireland after a two night stay in St. David's Wales in September 2016. We have booked accommodations in London and St. David's and our ferry tickets. Should we also reserve our London to Fishguard train tickets ahead of time or can we purchase them when we get to London. We are spending four nights in London. Thank you for any advice.
Posted by
Rick Steves Europe
355 posts
You shouldn't have any problem buying these once you are in London, but you can save some money if you buy them a few months ahead on the National Rail website - www.nationalrail.co.uk. Many advance, purchase tickets are non-refundable or exchangeable, so be ready to commit at time of purchase. (Some discounted "Sail/Rail" fares include the ferry ticket when booking ahead.)
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Cheapest rail tickets should be purchased 12 weeks in advance. Travel is cheaper after 9.30 or at the weekend. You can buy them on the day of travel.
Posted by
2599 posts
Sometimes, at 12 weeks out, the cheapest rail tickets have still not appeared. If so, check again at 11 weeks out. You don’t say when you are planning this trip but you should be made aware that the London to south Wales mainline is currently undergoing an electrification project. For 6 weeks - in Sept & Oct 2016, the Severn Tunnel will be closed and trains diverted via the south Cotswolds line. Thus, the journey will be 1 hour longer. www.nationalrail.co.uk
Pre book with GWR - even though you will need to switch to Arriva Wales for most of the Welsh part of the journey.
https://www.gwr.com/travel-updates
It is a very long rail journey & you might find that only a trolley service is available on the trains. Take something with you including drink.
You may well find that it is quicker to purchase a rail ticket from London to Haverfordwest rather than Fishguard / Goodwick and then catch a bus to St.David’s. You will find the local bus timetables here:>https://bustimes.org.uk/operators/RBRO
Try 342 & 413 for your journey from St.David’s to the ferry. (You get off at Goodwick - tell the driver you want the ferry and he will tell you where to get off).
This bus will take you along part of the Pembrokeshire coast.
http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=838,1629,839,1038&parent_directory_id=646&id=11494
http://www.traveline.cymru
www.traveline.info is a good site for finding transport.