Flying into Dublin and looking to spend the first 4 or 5 days of the trip exploring Wales. Any suggestions for which cities or sites to see? Probably not getting a car, so trains/buses/etc are fine. Have heard northern Wales is beautiful, but also good with flying into Cardiff and working our way back up the coast (not sure how long that would take).
Posted by
Port Angeles
155 posts
One of my favorite YouTube travel channels- The Memory Seekers- shared a series of videos on Wales in the spring that might provide some ideas:
https://youtu.be/MX9J5wViRZc?si=WHPrnVcyRfaRQ4md
Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
1997 posts
Sara, thanks for the recommendation of Memory Seekers on You Tube. I just went to check it out and WOW. There are so many videos on traveling in Great Britain. I love Wales. My great granny Jennie was born there and came to this country around the Civil War. I have been there twice and hope to go again, maybe next year.
Posted by
Lake District, England
7827 posts
Ryanair fly into Cardiff from Dublin (which would be a self connect), and Aer Lingus Regional from Belfast City.
Or you could take the train to Rosslare Europort then the ferry from Rosslare to Fishguard (Stena) or Pembroke (Irish Ferries) then (after an overnight in Fisguard or Pembroke) make your way up to Aberystwyth by bus, thence train from Aberystwyth up to North Wales.
(EDIT- every 2 hours Bus Eireann run bus #2 from Dublin Airport to Wexford Station, taking 2 hrs 50 minutes, connecting into an hourly Transport for Ireland bus #387 to Rosslare Europort).
You could do the Fishguard to Rosslare journey in a day, but far better to have at least one overnight at Aberystwyth or Machynnleth.
Having flown into Dublin the other alternative would be to take the afternoon or evening ferry (Stena or Irish) from Dublin Port to Holyhead. Overnight there (probably in the Travelodge) then across Anglesey on the train or bus starting next morning.
Or, fly Aer Lingus from the US to Dublin and on the same ticket a connecting flight on Aer Lingus to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, arriving in North Wales from the east, first night in Chester. There is a train from Liverpool South Parkway (the station for the airport, linked by a short bus ride) direct to Chester.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you all so much for the recommendations so far!! I’m very excited to finally be making it to Wales, just want to make sure to get as much in as I can in the handful of days we have in the schedule!
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7145 posts
I don’t understand flying into Ireland when you want to spend the first part of your trip in Wales. Seems like Cardiff or Manchester would get you closer to the main parts of Wales..
Posted by
OP
3 posts
We’re spending the second half of the trip in Ireland. And flights from our origin to Dublin were significantly cheaper than flying into anywhere in the UK, even considering the potential ferry costs.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2279 posts
Head to Conwy/Llandudno area. (Ferry to Holyhead and then train).
Conwy is a medieval walled town with a ruined castle, and Elizabethan town house. Llandudno is a Victorian sea side town with pier and traditional Punch and Judy. There is also a Victorian tramway to the top of the Great Orme - do visit the Bronze Age copper mines there .
There's lots to do and see in the area that can be reached by bus or train - Bodnant Gardens, Betwys y Coed, Carnarfon (another medieval walled town with splendid Castle). Penryn Castle, really OTT and built on the wealth of West Indies sugar and Welsh slate. Blaenau Ffestiniog with its slate heritage and high adrenaline activites at Lechwedd Slate Caverns on the edge of the town.
Posted by
41 posts
For YouTube shows, check out Postcard and a Pint (cute couple who lives in Wales) and JJ Extra.
North Wales: I have been to Conway and loved it. You can travel by bus easily to Bodnant Gardens and LLandudno. It is also train ride to Anglesy and you can ferry from Holyhead to Ireland.
Mid East: We didn't have a car so we took the train to Abergavenny which was a cute town, but we walked along the canal the cute tiny town of Crickhowell which would make a great base for hiking. I wish I had more time there. If I go back I would drive or hike Offa's dike from Abergavenny through LLanthony (great ruins) to Hay on Wye a town made of bookshops. BTW Bristol is over the border and a great city to visit.
South Wales: I would love to go to Swansea, it is a train ride from Cardiff. JJ Extra just did a video on it. It is nearish the National Botanic Gardens of Wales which I have been too, but it was recommended to me.
Posted by
Atlanta
17 posts
Thanks to the OP and all commenters. Bookmarked for later research. Considering a trip in 2025 to include some of Ireland and some of Wales, I appreciate all the suggestions. The big draw for us in Wales is castles,