Travel by train or bus from Chester to Aberwystwyth

There appears to 34 trains a day from Chester to Aberystwyth. It is 74 miles and takes 4 hrs. It costs L24.40. This info was found on www.thetrainline.com/train-times/chester-to-aberwystwyth.

Thanks so much Kathleen ! I’m wondering about the change in Shrewsbury , I know it’s a larger station and presume it wouldn’t be a long walk to change trains ?

In normal circumstances at Shrewsbury you cross from one side of an island platform to the other, so the change could not be simpler.
The train to Aberystwyth will usually be a through train from Birmingham, so reverses direction of travel when it arrives in to Shrewsbury.
Thus if you have booked a forward facing seat it will have been forward from Birmingham, it is now backward!
Also most trains are 4 car trains, and split at Machynnleth- two cars to Aberystwyth, two cars to Barmouth and Pwllhelli. The cars are clearly labelled and the guards double and triple check before the split that you are in the correct section. Aberystwyth is almost always the front two cars when departing from Shrewsbury (back two from Birmingham).
There are rare cases where the connecting train at Shrewsbury may use one of the terminating bay platforms at the end of the Island or even the strange Platform 3.
To access Platform 3 go through the ticket barriers, out the station then in again up another entrance. But that would be very rare.
Check the station information screens for your platform.
Also I don't care what the Train line says, there are 12 trains a day to Aberystwyth, but may well be 34 a day from Chester to Shrewsbury.
The full fare is £53, but buying Advance (train specific) fares is often cheaper- usually available even on the day. Try to avoid the 2 change trains, Crewe and Shrewsbury. That introduces risk of missed connections. Stick with the 1 change trains.

If buying split tickets use the Scotrail website (or do it yourself on any other website). For the first train today Scotrail are charging £29, Trainline £30.19 due to their commission. (split Advance fares Chester to Shrewsbury; Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth).

By Bus the T8 leaves Chester Bus Interchange and Railway Station every hour to Corwen-
eg 0825, arrives 1002- https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/transportforwales/MHCO/T8-timetable-20240909-7f07f729.pdf,
connect into the T3 to Dolgellau every 2 hours, say 1005, Dolgellau arrive 1055
https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/transportforwales/LLCO/T3-timetable-20240330-4333ca94.pdf
connect into the T2 every 2 hours, say 1102, arrive 1225-
https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/transportforwales/LLCO/T2-timetable-20240920-d9e84f74.pdf

A one day 1Bws Bus Ticket costs £7 for the entire journey (a total bargain)- https://traws.cymru/en/use-1bws-ticket-north-wales

These connections are great and well designed, but allow little time for bathroom breaks!! On the plus side this is a wonderful route for scenery

You could also take Bus 1 from Chester to Wrexham every 15 minutes and catch the T3 there.

Thanks ever so much isn31c ! Bus does sound simpler due to the backward , forward facing seat issue ( maybe by mid October there are few tourists so I could change seats , or maybe that’s not allowed ? )

nobody will care if you change seats in Shrewsbury. I don't know but I'd be surprised if many or any have reserved seats on the Aber train. They sure didn't when I used to work out that way.