You can get to the Ffestiniog Railway (FR) from two different main line railway stations – Minffordd and Blaenau Ffestiniog. These stations lie at either end of the heritage line and are served by trains from different parts of the country. Minffordd station on the Cambrian Coast line (which runs from Birmingham and Shrewsbury) interchanges with the FR via a passenger subway which leads up to the narrow-gauge railway tracks. Or, if you're coming from the north – Liverpool and Manchester, for instance – you can get to the FR by using the Conwy Valley branch line from Llandudno Junction. That route connects to the FR at Blaenau Ffestiniog - just across the footbridge. Due to damage from Storm Ciara in February 2020, there is a rail replacement bus service currently operating on the latter route. We’ll update this page when normal train services resume.
The Ffestiniog Railway is one of the UK’s most popular heritage railways, and for good reason. The heritage railway runs for 14 miles through breathtaking scenery in the Snowdonia National Park; a return journey takes around three hours. The half-way stop, Tan y Bwlch, has a tearoom and covered canopy for a bite to eat, plus an outdoor play area for the kids. It’s a perfect day out for the entire family.
Learn more about the Ffestiniog Railway on their website.
More about the Ffestiniog Railway
If you really want to make a day of a visit to Snowdonia, the Ffestiniog Railway connects to the Welsh Highlands heritage railway at Porthmadog. They share the same narrow-gauge line. The Welsh Highlands is the UK’s longest heritage railway at 26 miles, taking you past the foot of Mount Snowdon and the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass. If you want to experience the full 40-mile heritage journey, it’ll take you the best part of six hours – a day well spent, if you ask us.