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Travel from Cardiff to Swansea on March 29

Posted by (Pittsburgh, PA, USA) on

On Saturday, March 29 I need to get from Cardiff to Swansea. I was planning to take a train -- either Great Western Railway or Transport for Wales. The TFW site shows there will be engineering work that day, but says buses will replace trains for part of the line.

The GWR doesn't show any engineering work. However, I assume their trains won't be able to use the rails, but will they have replacement buses?

Can I assume all the TFW trains scheduled for that day will use buses, and if so, how do I know where to catch the bus? Am I correct in assuming, the bus would let me off at the first train station after the work (Bridgend, I think) and I can board the train there and take it the rest of the way to Swansea?

Or should I just take the Flix bus that goes from Cardiff to Swansea? I'm fine with buses, but get a little nervous about finding the stops. I will be connecting with an Adventure Travel Bus from Swansea to Rhossili, which leaves from West Way at Swansea Bus Station. I don't know if that's where the Flix Bus ends its run, but I don't think so.

I am not planning on buying bus tickets ahead of time. I believe I can buy them on board, correct? Could they sell out?

If anyone has any help or suggestions, I would really appreciate it.

Posted by
9008 posts

The Engineering work is only on the lines round the coast to Barry Island and via Rhoose (for the airport) to Bridgend, NOT on the main line. Hence why the work is not showing for GWR.
Thus it will not affect you as all GWR and TfW trains which run from Cardiff to Swansea and beyond are not affected by the work.

If you were travelling on that line buses will call at all stations and terminate at Bridgend right outside the station entrance (or did when I was on one). Last time I caught a rail replacement bus from Cardiff Central they left from the back or south car park side of the station, but direction signs will be up, and there will be loads of staff on duty for anyone affected.

However, for the record of others in the future Flixbus tickets have to be purchased on line, National Express also run from Cardiff to Swansea.
In Swansea the little 'book' next to the place name on Flixbus shows that the stop is on Dilwyn Street/Wellington Street between the Quadrant shopping centre and Tesco. Google Maps shows that this is just outside the bottom of the Bus Station. National Express use Swansea Bus Station itself.

The Rhossili bus leaves from Stand T at the Bus Station.

Blow Google maps right up and you will see that Stand T is 5th from the top of the Bus Station. West Way is the bit of road between Dilwyn Street and Wellington Street.

Posted by
2857 posts

Thank you so much, Stuart! I don't know what I would do without you. I really appreciate your quick and thorough response.

I am happy to hear I can just take the train to Swansea. Of course, I will make a record of the bus info in case there is a train strike.

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