Explore Wales Rover (4 in 8 days)

[Rab Smith]

Hello,
I'm thinking of doing the Welsh all line Rover. Has anyone done it before, how did it go? My plan is to go from North to South utilising the buses as well.
I think 4 days should be enough.
Any tips or advice would be very welcome!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

If you're just doing West Wales (Carmarthen and the branch lines beyond), then an 'Explore West Wales' Day Ranger at £12.50 may prove to be better value than using a day's validity of the much more expensive 'Explore Wales' 4 days in 8 Flexi Rover, which I think is £149.00 before any applicable railcard discount. But that, of course, is an extra day's travelling and an extra day's expense.

 

[Rab Smith]

If you're just doing West Wales (Carmarthen and the branch lines beyond), then an 'Explore West Wales' Day Ranger at £12.50 may prove to be better value than using a day's validity of the much more expensive 'Explore Wales' 4 days in 8 Flexi Rover, which I think is £149.00 before any applicable railcard discount. But that, of course, is an extra day's travelling and an extra day's expense.

Thanks. I'll have a look at the others Rovers available and if they would suit my itinerary. I plan to spend time in West Wales but looking for the flexibility to go back and forth from the border.

 

[Bevan Price]

Out of season, seaside "bed & breakfasts" are probably cheaper than big city hotels.
Allow at least 10 minutes if changing between Shotton High Level & Low Level stations, especially if using the soutbound platform at High Level.
Also allow plenty of time for some changes at Chester & Crewe.
For example, at times the Chester footbridge can get quite busy and congested. Best to avoid Chester on "norse racing days" at the nearby racecourse.
At Holyhead, it is a longish walk between Platforms 1&3.
Enjoy your rover.

 

[Rab Smith]

Out of season, seaside "bed & breakfasts" are probably cheaper than big city hotels.
Allow at least 10 minutes if changing between Shotton High Level & Low Level stations, especially if using the soutbound platform at High Level.
Also allow plenty of time for some changes at Chester & Crewe.
For example, at times the Chester footbridge can get quite busy and congested. Best to avoid Chester on "norse racing days" at the nearby racecourse.
At Holyhead, it is a longish walk between Platforms 1&3.
Enjoy your rover.

Thanks Bevan. I'll certainly avoid the vikings at Chester!

 

[WrexhamRob]

I’d suggest also researching the TransCymru bus network there maybe day or multi day rover tickets, many routes join up between the rail gaps. Last year I travelled t8 Mold Corwen then a different T bus , Corwen Barmouth . Train Barmouth Shrewsbury- Chester, then t8 bus to Mold

 

[Rab Smith]

I’d suggest also researching the TransCymru bus network there maybe day or multi day rover tickets, many routes join up between the rail gaps. Last year I travelled t8 Mold Corwen then a different T bus , Corwen Barmouth . Train Barmouth Shrewsbury- Chester, then t8 bus to Mold

Thanks Rob, I'll need to have a look at the bus Network as it will save returning on some routes.
Going to sit and plan it soon.

 

[DelW]

If using one of the "4 days from 8" rovers on buses, I'd recommend carrying a printout of the bus validity details, or at minimum, saving that as a pdf on your phone. In my experience most bus drivers have never seen those tickets, and are likely to just state that "train tickets aren't valid on here". Don't rely on having a data signal to back you up for the possible argument. Even with printed backup, some drivers may take a lot of convincing. (Worth mentioning that my experience was on local operators not TrawsCymru, whose drivers may be better informed.)

 

[185143]

If using one of the "4 days from 8" rovers on buses, I'd recommend carrying a printout of the bus validity details, or at minimum, saving that as a pdf on your phone. In my experience most bus drivers have never seen those tickets, and are likely to just state that "train tickets aren't valid on here". Don't rely on having a data signal to back you up for the possible argument. Even with printed backup, some drivers may take a lot of convincing. (Worth mentioning that my experience was on local operators not TrawsCymru, whose drivers may be better informed.)

I had a Cardiff Bus driver try to reject it. Showed the validity page and he did allow travel but said he'd need to ring the office. He rang and they said it's "not valid at the moment" before radioing back a few minutes later to confirm that it actually was.

I don't doubt for a second that the driver was totally unaware of the ticket, let alone it's validity. He certainly wasn't trying to be difficult for the sake of it. I don't think it's valid now though, I haven't done one since the hefty price rises and cutback in validity.

 

[nwales58]

If spending a day on buses it may not be worth using one of the 4 days.

£13 Trawscymru day ticket gets you all the T services throughout the country plus X43. You can do north to south in a day using T2+T1 or T2+T12/X43+T4 or T10+T12+T4.

£7 1bws day ticket covers all buses in the North Wales 6 local authorities and to Machynlleth and Chester.

 

[DelW]

If spending a day on buses it may not be worth using one of the 4 days.

The four day limit applies only to trains, you can use it on buses every day:

GB RAIL ROVER GUIDE - Explore Wales Pass

How to find rail rover and ranger tickets on the national rail network. Rover and ranger tickets are cheap tickets for rail travel

www.railrover.org

Unlimited travel with weekday time restrictions for any 4 days in 8 days. The ticket is also valid on buses for all 8 days.