SUMMARY OF SNOWDON SHERPA NETWORK - SUMMER 2024
    Increase in the level of service for the Summer Traws-Cymru route "T10" Sherpa connections route along the Ogwen Valley
(commencing Sunday 24th March 2024) have been announced..........


    The level of the "T10" Traws-Cymru service
(serving Tryfan - Llyn Ogwen) is considerably increased at weekends


    Increase in the level of service for the Summer Sherpa routes (commencing Saturday 23rd March 2024) have been announced..........
- BUT these start on the Saturday - one day EARLIER than the Traws-Cymru summer journeys

    The level of "S1" Sherpa journeys via Pen-y-Pass and Llanberis" remains basically hourly - with the first and pen-ultimate journeys reinstated (they were suspended for the winter)

    "S2" Sherpa journeys from Bangor to Pen-y-Pass via Llanberis are again extended to operate to Pen-y-Pass on the 'alternate' half-hour to the "S1" giving a minimum summer headway of "every 30 minutes" from Llanberis
    This is augmented by exrea "S5" "shuttle journeys" at peak timss,  giving a bus every 15 minutes along the busy "core" section

    The level of "S3" Sherpa journeys along the western side of Snowdon is increased to hourly
with the last 1902 summer return journey from Beddgelert reinstated

    The level of "S4" Sherpa journeys along the Nant Gwynant pass has again been increased to basically hourly BUT BEWARE alternate journeys DO NOT OPERATE ON LOCAL SCHOOL DAYS
- see journeys headed "S+GSH" against a white background for details
    Most journeys are extended to Morfa Bychan on both weekdys and Sundays

    All the additional "S5" "Park and Ride" journeys which were SUSPENDED for the winter are reinstated

    The very limited "19" bus service from Llandudno along the Conwy Valley continues unaltered with the last direct return journey from Betws-y-Coed STILL at 1520
- with later slower journeys via the Ogwen pass
    Several outward journeys involve nearly an hour's wait at Betws-y-Coed - time for a 'cuppa'
    These are augmented by trains on the scenic 'Conwy Valley Railway Line


    REMEMBER..........
    Due to so many last-minute changes to the various connecting BUSservices in the area,  unfortunately many official websites (including the TravelineCymru "Journey Planner") continue to show journeys which have either been "CHANGED" or sometimes even "WITHDRAWN"
    Where known,  these are also included below as a warning - to help avoid you being caught out !!!


    Please bookmark and revisit nearer the time to check if there have been any further known changes since your last visit to this page

    Journeys shown on this website with a "strike through" line are still operating,  BUT it is NO LONGER possible to get a (bus) connection back to the start location of the page - eg
 1234 

    Throughout Snowdonia there are unfortunately numerous cases of "sub-standard" connections which are NOT recognised by the TravelineCymru "Journey Planner"
(as they are less than 5 minutes) - eg
11.05 11.01
    Although this website strongly advises you NOT to 'chance' them..........
..........they are included to draw your attention to the fact that if everything is 'spot on time' and you are "very quick" - it can sometimes get you to your destination considerably earlier


This "unofficial" website attempts to show what is available..... and to encourage greater use of the network
also includes some suggested "trips round Snowdonia - without your car"


SUMMER WEEKDAY TRIPS by RAIL
to the SNOWDON SHERPA at Betws-y-Coed


Transport for Wales Conwy Valley Line train  

Arriva earlier morning "12" connection  

from  Chester
Prestatyn   Rhyl
Colwyn Bay   Llandudno


to  Pen-y-Pass
Llanberis  Beddgelert
Aberglaslyn   Porthmadog

      "S1" Betws-y-Coed - Llanberis
   Gwynfor Sherpa
      "S4" Pen-y-Pass - Beddgelert

 
 Timings are shown below and it can all be done for just..........
£14.90 from Llandudno/Colwyn Bay/Abergele
- 2 zones* ("C/G")
£25.40 from Rhyl/Prestatyn - 3 zones* ("D/C/G")
    £40.00 from Chester/Shotton/Flint - all zones* - all zones *) 
using the "North Wales Day Rover" which includes the "whole of the Sherpa Network"
purchase at your first station or from the driver of your first connnecting bus
(* - a discount is available for a "railcard" holder if booked at a station)

LATEST..........

All the regular "S1" connecting Sherpa services are operated by
'Gwynfor Coaches' and run every day throughout the year #
providing direct connections to .......
Caernarfon via Pen-y-Pass
- (start of the main tracks up Snowdon)
and Llanberis
also more limited "S4" Sherpa connections at Pen-y-Pass
to Beddgelert
(for "S3" connections to Caernarfon)
and Porthmadog
# - except Christmas Day,  Boxing Day and New Year's Day





Mondays to Saturdays from 25th March to 2nd November 2024
except Public Holidays Good Friday 29th March  Easter Monday 1st April  Early Spring Holiday Monday 6th May  Late Spring Holiday Monday 27th May  and Late Summer Holiday Monday 26th August
see important note above
  Click here for suggested Sunday and Public Holidays itineraries
"Trips round Snowdonia - without your car"
from North Wales Coast Railway Stations

out and return via the Conwy Valley Line and Betws-y-Coed
(the "Gateway to Snowdonia")
   
Outward train times
latest times should be confirmed from the individual timetables on the
official Transport for Wales/Avanti websites
   
"T for Wales"
"T for Wales"
"T for Wales"
"T for Wales"
   
###
 
M-F
Sat
M-F
Sat
      Chester Station dep   j
-
0652
  0855  
0924
1231
1225
-
      Chester Station dep   j
      Shotton Station dep   j
-
0701
0904
0900*
1201*
1159*
-
      Shotton Station dep   j
      Flint Station dep   j
M-F
Sat
0708
0910
0937
1244
1238
-
      Flint Station dep   j
      Prestatyn Station dep   j
-
-
0721
0923
0951
1257
1252
-
      Prestatyn Station dep   j
      Rhyl Station dep   j
0550b
0540b
0728
0930
0958
1304
1300
-
      Rhyl Station dep   j
      Abergele Station dep   j
0609b
0559b
0734
0936
0932*
1233*
1230*
-
      Abergele Station dep   j
      Colwyn Bay Station dep   j
0631b **
0621b **
0742
0944
1008
1315
1311
-
      Colwyn Bay Station dep   j
      Llandudno Junction arr
|
|
0749
0951
1014
1322
1319
-
      Llandudno Junction arr
      Llandudno arr
0659b
0649b
-
-
-
-
-
-
      Llandudno arr
 
                                The Conwy Valley Line
 
 
M-F
Sat
Llew Jones
bus 19
M-F
Sat
M-F
Sat
-
 
  Llandudno (T for Wales) dep
0707 j
0708 j
0745
10.12
10.13
13.17
13.17
-
  Llandudno (T for Wales) dep
  Deganwy (T for Wales) dep
0712 j
0713 j
|
|
\|/
10.17
10.18
13.22
13.22
-
  Deganwy (T for Wales) dep
 
M-F
Sat
|
|
|
|
-
 
  Llandudno Junction (T for Wales) dep
07.28
07.28
0758 ###
10.25
10.26
13.28
13.28
-
  Llandudno Junction (T for Wales) dep
  Llanrwst (T for Wales) dep
07.52
07.53
###
10.48
10.49
13.52
13.51
-
  Llanrwst (T for Wales) dep
  Betws-y-Coed ("The Gateway to Snowdonia") arr
07.58
07.59
###
10.54
10.55
13.58
13.57
-
  Betws-y-Coed ("The Gateway to Snowdonia") arr
 
                                The Conwy Valley Line   (click here for alternative return connections via Bangor)
 
 
-
 
      Betws-y-Coed "S1" Sherpa dep  (platform 2 layby)
08.03
09.03
-
11.03
-
14.03
15.03
-
      Betws-y-Coed "S1" Sherpa dep  (platform 2 layby)
      Pen-y-Pass "S1"/"S4"
08.30
09.25
0933
11.25
1133
14.25
15.25
1533
      Pen-y-Pass "S1"/"S4"
      Llanberis Interchange "S1" Sherpa arr
08.50
09.50
|
11.50
|
14.50
15.50
|
      Llanberis Interchange "S1" Sherpa arr
      Caernarfon "S1" Sherpa arr
09.17
10.17
|
12.17
|
15.17
16.17
|
      Caernarfon "S1" Sherpa arr
           Beddgelert Sherpa arr
-
-
0957
-
1157
-
-
1557
           Beddgelert Sherpa arr
           Porthmadog Sherpa arr
-
-
1027
-
1227
-
-
1627
           Porthmadog Sherpa arr
  Blaenau Ffestiniog arr
08.32
-
11.27
14.31
-
  Blaenau Ffestiniog arr
### - Unfortunately the first Conwy Valley train continues to depart before the arrival of the first Avanti and Transport for Wales trains from Birmingham/Chester   
Passengers travelling by train should change to the Llew Jones "19" bus to Betws-y-Coed which calls at Platform 5 (station yard) at Llandudno Junction    
- depart 07.58 and change to the 0903 "S1" Sherpa at Betws-y-Coed (or the 0903 TrawsCymru "T10" to Bangor via the Ogwen Valley - for Tryfan)    
* - arrives Llandudno Junction earlier (0947/1245/1246)    
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~    
Purchase a "North Wales Day Rover" ticket to cover all trains and local buses (including the Sherpa and TrawsCymru journeys) at your first railway station    
 
b - There is no longer a train connection from the North Wales Coast stations into the early-morning Conwy Valley Line train or the first Sherpa of the day    
- an alternative Arriva "12" bus operates from Rhyl via Colwyn Bay - alight at Llandudno "Law Courts" then walk round the corner into Vaughan Street    
to join the train - ("North Wales Day Rover" tickets are also valid on the bus)    
** - the Arriva "12" bus - calls to pick up outside the Council Offices on Conway Road - NOT the railway station
   
- Sherpa journey operated by    
c - during the winter there is no direct Sherpa,  so change at Caernarfon ("S1" to "S3") and Beddgelert ("S3" to "S4" -- arr 1355, dep 1400)    
M-F - Mondays to Fridays only     Sat - Saturdays only     j - change trains at Llandudno Junction     A - operated by Avanti     * - depart Llandudno Junction 1653    
  GSch - Gwynedd School Days only     $ - Saturdays also Gwynedd School Holidays only --- confirm dates locally before setting out    
   
Llyn Gwynant                     Snowdon and Twin Lakes                        Llanberis Pass

                            Capel Curig and Twin lakes           Nant Gwynant Pass              Aberglaslyn Pass
BETWS-Y-COED <---> Pen-y-Pass <---> Beddgelert <---> Porthmadog
                                                     /|\                               /|\                        /|\
                                                     |                                |                        |
                         Llanberis Pass   |      SNOWDON                |
                                                     |                                           |
                                                   
   \|/                                          \|/
                                               Llanberis  <-------->   Caernarfon

 
Suggested Sherpa itineraries
latest bus times should be confirmed from the individual timetables on the official Gwynedd CC website
 

Click here for a selection of trips round Snowdonia from Betws-y-Coed station
(exit station and turn right to the "Platform 2" bus stop at the layby)

Passengers already holding a "North Wales Day Rover" can travel free on all the Sherpa and TrawsCymru connecting buses

Anyone without a combined train/bus ticket should purchase a £6.50 "1 bws" (one bus) day ticket" to cover ALL bus journeys from the driver of your first bus
M-F - Mondays to Fridays only     Sat - Saturdays only     j - change trains at Llandudno Junction     A - operated by Avanti     * - depart Llandudno Junction 1653    
  GSch - Gwynedd School Days only     $ - Saturdays also Gwynedd School Holidays only --- confirm dates locally before setting out    
Return train times
latest times should be confirmed from the individual timetables on the official Transport for Wales website

   
M-F
Sat
"T22"
Traws
-Cymru
M-F
Sat
"T22"
Traws
-Cymru
M-F
Sat
   
           Porthmadog "S4" Sherpa dep
1330 $
-
-
-
1430
-
1530 $
-
1630 $
-
1610
-
-
1730
1630 bc
-
1910
-
-
           Porthmadog "S4" Sherpa dep
  Blaenau Ffestiniog (T for Wales) dep
|
-
14.39
14.56
|
-
|
-
|
-
1645
17.35
17.38
|
|
-
1945
20.27
20.22
  Blaenau Ffestiniog (T for Wales) dep
           Beddgelert "S4" Sherpa dep
1357 $
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
\|/
|
|
|
|
|
|
\|/
1500
-
1557 $
-
1657 $
-
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
\|/
|
|
|
|
|
|
\|/
1800
1702 c
-
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
\|/
|
|
|
|
|
|
\|/
           Beddgelert "S4" Sherpa dep
      Caernarfon "S1" Sherpa dep
|
13.40
|
14.40
|
15.40
|
16.40
-
|
1734
17.40
-
      Caernarfon "S1" Sherpa dep
      Llanberis Interchange "S1" Sherpa dep 
|
14.10
|
15.10
|
16.10
|
17.10
-
|
-
18.10
-
      Llanberis Interchange "S1" Sherpa dep 
      Pen-y-Pass "S4"/"S1"
1422 $
14.30
1522
15.30
1622 $
16.30
1722 $
17.30
-
1822
-
18.30
-
      Pen-y-Pass "S4"/"S1"
      Betws-y-Coed "S1" Sherpa arr
-
14.55
-
15.55
>>>>>>>
16.55
>>>>>>>
17.55
>>>>>>>
-
-
18.55
>>>>>>>
      Betws-y-Coed "S1" Sherpa arr
 
                                The Conwy Valley Line   (click here for alternative return connections via Bangor)
 
   
M-F
Sat
 
M-F
Sat
 
M-F
Sat
 
  Betws-y-Coed (T for Wales) dep
-
15.06
15.23
-
18.02
18.05
 
20.54
20.49
  Betws-y-Coed (T for Wales) dep
  Llanrwst (T for Wales) dep
-
15.12
15.29
-
18.08
18.11
 
21.00
20.55
  Llanrwst (T for Wales) dep
  Llandudno Junction (T for Wales) arr
-
15.41
15.58
-
18.36
18.40
 
21.25
21.23
  Llandudno Junction (T for Wales) arr
  Deganwy (T for Wales)
-
15.45
16.08
-
18.40
18.44
 
21.35
21.34
  Deganwy (T for Wales)
  Llandudno (T for Wales) arr
-
15.52
16.15
-
18.47
18.51
 
21.45
21.42
  Llandudno (T for Wales) arr
-
M-F
Sat
-
M-F
M-F
Sat
 
M-F
M-F
Sat
      Llandudno Junction (T for Wales) dep   j
-
1552
1631
-
1839
1852
1855
 
2126
2158
2131
      Llandudno Junction (T for Wales) dep   j
      Colwyn Bay (T for Wales) arr   j
-
1558
1638
-
1846
1858
1901
 
2133
2205
2137
      Colwyn Bay (T for Wales) arr   j
      Abergele (T for Wales) arr   j
-
1604
1705*
-
|
1904
1907
 
2139
2212
2143
      Abergele (T for Wales) arr   j
      Rhyl (T for Wales) arr   j
-
1611
1648
-
1856
1911
1914
 
2146
2219
2150
      Rhyl (T for Wales) arr   j
      Prestatyn (T for Wales) arr   j
-
1617
1655
-
1903
1917
1920
 
2152
2225
2156
      Prestatyn (T for Wales) arr   j
      Flint (T for Wales) arr   j
-
1631
1709
-
1917
1931
1933
 
2206
2239
2209
      Flint (T for Wales) arr   j
      Shotton (T for Wales) arr   j
-
1637
1737*
-
|
1937
1939
 
2213
2246
2215
      Shotton (T for Wales) arr   j
      Chester (T for Wales) arr   j
-
1649
1725
-
1931
1949
1951
 
2225
2259
2227
      Chester (T for Wales) arr   j
- Sherpa journey operated by    
b - change from "S4" Sherpa to "S3" Sherpa at Beddgelert     c - change from "S3" Sherpa to "S1" Sherpa at Caernarfon    
 
M-F - Mondays to Fridays only     Sat - Saturdays only     j - change trains at Llandudno Junction     A - operated by Avanti     * - depart Llandudno Junction 1653    
  GSch - Gwynedd School Days only     (excluding local public holidays)
    $ - Saturdays also Gwynedd School Holidays only --- - confirm dates dates locally before setting out     bc - when there is no direct "S4" journey to Pen-y-Pass,  there is an alternative "S3" connection via Beddgelert ("S4" to "S3" (arrive 1657, depart 1702) and Caernarfon ("S3" to "S1")    
  latest times should always be confirmed from the individual timetables on the official Gwynedd CC or Conwy CC websites  and any subsequent amendments thereto  

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    Contacts    


    Contents    
Timetables
Suggested Sherpa Trips
Click here for the next period of this page

Bangor - Llyn Ogwen - Betws-y-Coed
Bangor - Capel Curig - Llanberis
Bangor - Snowdonia  (via Llanberis)
Barmouth - Snowdonia  (via Porthmadog)
Betws-y-Coed - Llyn Ogwen - Bangor
Betws-y-Coed - Pen-y-Pass - Llanberis - Caernarfon
Betws-y-Coed - Llandudno  (connections)
Betws-y-Coed - Pen-y-Pass - Porthmadog
Caernarfon - Llanberis - Pen-y-Pass - Betws-y-Coed
Caernarfon/Porthmadog - Beddgelert - Llanberis
Caernarfon - Beddgelert - Porthmadog
Llanberis Pass --- Park and Ride
Llanberis - Capel Curig - Bangor
Llanberis - Pen-y-Pass - Betws-y-Coed
Llanberis - Beddgelert - Caernarfon/Porthmadog
Llandudno/Colwyn Bay - Betws-y-Coed  (connections)
Llandudno - Snowdonia  (via Betws-y-Coed)
Porthmadog - Beddgelert - Caernarfon
Porthmadog/Caernarfon - Beddgelert - Llanberis
Porthmadog - Pen-y-Pass - Betws-y-Coed
Pwllheli - Snowdonia  (via Porthmadog)
Snowdonia - Bangor  (via Llanberis) 
Snowdonia - Barmouth  (via Porthmadog)
 Snowdonia - Llandudno  (via Betws-y-Coed or Caernarfon) 
Snowdonia - Pwllheli  (via Porthmadog)
Climb Snowdon - with the Sherpas   (summary)
Ride Round Snowdon - with the Sherpas   (summary)

Suggested weekday trips from Barmouth
Suggested weekday trips from Beddgelert
Suggested weekday trips from Betws-y-Coed
Suggested weekday trips from Caernarfon
Suggested weekday trips from Conwy
Suggested weekday trips from Llanberis
Suggested weekday trips from Llandudno
Suggested weekday trips from Llanrwst
Suggested weekday trips from Porthmadog

Suggested Sunday trips from Barmouth
Suggested Sunday trips from Beddgelert
Suggested Sunday trips from Betws-y-Coed
Suggested Sunday trips from Caernarfon
Suggested Sunday trips from Conwy
Suggested Sunday trips from Llanberis
Suggested Sunday trips from Llandudno
Suggested Sunday trips from Llanrwst
Suggested Sunday trips from Porthmadog

Suggested weekday trips from
Suggested Sunday trips from
North Wales Coast Railway stations
(via Betws-y-Coed)

Later non-Sherpa weekday journeys from......
Beddgelert area to Llandudno/Conwy Valley
Pen-y-Pass area to Llandudno/Conwy Valley
Porthmadog area to Llandudno/Conwy Valley
Beddgelert area to Llanberis
Porthmadog area to Llanberis
Llanberis area to Porthmadog area
Later non-Sherpa Sunday journeys from......
Beddgelert area to Llandudno/Conwy Valley
Pen-y-Pass area to Llandudno/Conwy Valley
Porthmadog area to Llandudno/Conwy Valley
Beddgelert area to Llanberis
Porthmadog area to Llanberis
Llanberis area to Porthmadog area
Additional and updated pages are in the process of being prepared - please bookmark this page and keep returning for the very latest information available


This page last  Updated - snowdon sherpa bus service on 25th March 2024   e-mail webmaster   (c)2024

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