Welcome  to  John's  Snowdon Sherpa  website

UPDATE.....
Monday 2nd September 2024
    There are detailed changes to the Llew Junes "19" Conwy Valley connecting journeys
NOTE SPECIALLY the last direct weekday journey of the day from Betws-y-Coed to Llandudno has been ADVANCED to 1505

SUMMARY OF SNOWDON SHERPA NETWORK - SUMMER 2024
    Increase in the level of service for the Summer Sherpa routes (commencing Saturday 23rd March 2024) have been announced..........

    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 level of the "T10" Traws-Cymru service
(serving Tryfam - Llyn Ogwen) is considerably increased - especially at weekends - BUT this did not start until Sunday 24th March - one day later than the Sherpas

    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


IMPORTANT
Llew Jones has WITHDRAWN all their former "T19" connecting journeys from Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog to/from Betws-y-Coed (for the "S1" Sherpa and the "T10" Traws-Cymru)
as per their earlier announcment

There are NO changes to any SHERPA journey as a result

Limited alternative connections are available using the
PARTIALLY-REVISED "19" service FROM Llandudno
and return FROM Betws-y-Coed..........
NOTE SPECIALLY - THE LAST WEEKDAY NORTHBOUND DEPARTURE OF THE DAY NOW DEPARTS 1520..........

(connects off the 1340 "S1" Sherpa from Caernarfon)
..........DESPITE SOME OFFICIAL WEBSITES AND ELECTRONIC DEPARTURE DISPLAYS STILL (after 12 months) SHOWING "OTHERWISE"



GETTING STARTED
The REVISED Summer Sherpa Timetables are now in operation and are advertised to continue until Sunday 3rd November 2024

In order to give visitors an idea of the service to expect - the following information
might be a useful start point to begin to "plan ahead"..........

DON'T  KNOW  YOUR  WAY
ROUND  SNOWDONIA ?


The links below go to the current timetable,  but later dates can be found
by clicking the white "next period" box at the bottom of every page

Anyone on the Coast planning to spend a day in Snowdonia should find the latest
Summer Timetable - from Llandudno/North Wales Coast to Betws-y-Coed
(for the "S1" Sherpa and "T10" Traws-Cymru)
Summer Timetable - from Llandudno/North Wales Coast
Summer Timetable - from Bangor via Llanberis
Summer Timetable - from Barmouth/Harlech/Bl.Ffestiniog via Porthmadog
Summer Timetable - from Pwllheli/Criccieth via Porthmadog
or the Summer TrawsCymru Timetable - from Betws-y-Coed to Bangor via the Ogwen Pass
a useful starting point to see "what is now available"

alternatively select ANY other timetable page from the index below...........
..........THEN FOLLOW THE LINK TO THE "NEXT PERIOD"

SOME PAGES ON THIS WEBSITE ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF BEING UPDATED AS SOME
"OFFICIAL" INFORMATION WAS ONLY RECENTLY BEEN MADE PUBLIC AT THE LAST MINUTE !

Please also see the introduction note above  then bookmark this page NOW and return later to check
if there is any further more up-to-date information available


There is a date at the bottom of every page on this website to quickly show when it was last updated --- jn view of the
occasional mid-timetabe alterations to the Sherpa network AND other connecting services..........
..........you are strongly advised to check direct with the opeator/s concerned BEFORE setting out for Snowdonia



    REMEMBER..........
    Due to so many last-minute changes to the various services 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 identified throughout THIS website 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 THAT particular 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) - these are highlighted with a "lime" background - eg
17.15 17.15
    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"


BEST "DAY" FARE..........
The £6.50*# North Wales day
'bus ticket' called "1 BWS"
(one bus) has been introduced covering all bus journeys throughout Snowdonia..........

as well as any connecting journeys from both the North Wales and the northern Cambrian Coast areas including
as far afield as Chester,  Machynlleth and Whitchurch
* in addition, a weekly version is now available for £28.00

This area covered is not only considerably greater than the "Red Rover" it basically replaces..........
BUT IT IS ALSO CHEAPER !!!

# - a family ticket is also available for just £14.20
BE "GREEN" --- NOW THERE IS NO NEED TO TAKE YOUR CAR INTO SNOWDONIA

This is the ONLY website about the "Snowdon Sherpa" bus network which is regularly updated with all the news,  mid-timetable corrections and service changes for both the Snowdon Sherpa services and all the local bus and train connecting journeys !!!
Unlike any of the official websites,  it also shows later alternative
non-Sherpa journeys
(where available) which offer options
if you are unfortunate enough to miss the last Sherpa of the day

A FULL ROUND-UP OF THE OFFICIAL WEBSITES CAN BE FOUND ON MY CONTACTS PAGE
BEWARE some are still not yet fully updated
Numerous errors have been spotted on these and where known they are highlighted on this webste to help you avoid 'falling' for the WRONG / OUT OF DATE INFORMATION

Always better to be "fore-warned" than to be "caught out" !!!
(especially in Snowdonia where it is a very long walk if you miss a 'non-existent' bus)


This website is produced purely as a hobby to help promote greater use of the
limited public transport to and across Snowdonia which IS more than adequate for most journeys even in the mid-winter,  but you may need some careful pre-planning to ensure you can get back home

It also gives some ideas in the form of suggested itineries for "days out" to Snowdionia both from locations on the Sherpa Network itself AND  from further afield using the various connecting servivces
It concentrates of giving the real "facts" rather than attempting to look "fancy" !!!

Comprehensive accurate official publicity for ALL services in Snowdonia
is difficult - if not impossible - to find
and unfortunately bus operators and councils often only show "their" journeys

It also attempts to warn visitors of potential "pitfalls" advised to me by others
and highlights numerous known errors in official publications
( "always far better to be 'pre-warned' than 'caught out' !!!! " )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Sherpa journeys are normally shown in GREEN
with other bus journeys and connections in blue or black
Mid--timetable earlier re-timing are normally shown in BOLD BLUE (eg 0920) and
"warnings" about connections, regular overcrowding, etc. shown as "# - xxxxxxxxx"
Where available - later services via alternative non-Sherpa routes are shown
to prevent anyone being stranded - see individual tables for details
These are normally shown against a "gold" background
Sherpa tickets are not valid on these journeys but Red Rover Day Tickets are
Most Sherpa weekday journeys run every day but some operate either restricted days,
dates  and/or  LOCAL school holiday periods
(which are not always the same for Caernarfon, Conwy, Llanberis, Llanrwst or Porthmadog schools
- and very often differ from those "across the border")

These are identified by an appropriate note and usually times are shown against a
white background as an additional warning
Times at some intermediate locations vary by a few minutes in different official publications
Throughout this website, the earliest know time is used to ensure passenegers can
arrive in sufficient time to catch their Sherpa
Remember many roads in Snowdonia are very narrow and as a result of this
some Sherpa journeys can be delayed considerably by heavy traffic - so don't panic !

Throughout this website, clicking on underlined text will lead to another page or picture
--- IF this is another timetable it will be the current page and it may be necessary to follow the links on that page to a later period
To help you find your way round this website there is a timetable index at the bottom of every page with the page you are currently viewing shown in blue
Always check the page issue date in case there have been any updates since you last looked !!!

As with all websites,  errors can occasionally creep in, but your webmaster always appreciates advice
about anything, including any out of date page, links, etc. so it can be immediately corrected for the
benefit of the many other visitors to this website



this is an unofficial website and the latest times should always be confirmed from the individual timetables
on one of the County Council or another official website  along with any subsequent amendments thereto 

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

Gwynfor "S2" double-deck Sherpa      
at Capel Curig en-route to Pen-y-Pass
     
  Snowdon Sherpa  
Bus Timetables

unofficial website




Sherpa Network
"S1" daily all-year
"S2" daily all-year
"S3" daily all-year
"S4" daily all-year
"S5" daily during the summer

        Gwynfor "S97" Sherpa
  Porthmadog - Beddgelert
  Conwy Valley
connections
        LLew Jones "T19" from Llandudno 

  R E M E M B E R ....................... !!!
Car Parking in Snowdonia is very limited and can be expensive if a space can be found
(the popular one at Pen-y-Pass is often full before 0900 on fine summer days)
(and these days requires pre-booking)

The alternative is to leave your car behind and use the
Snowdon Sherpa Bus network


This "unofficial" website attempts to show what is available by all operators
It contains composite timetables of connecting services on a cross-Snowdonia route basis
where a change of bus is usually necessary --- hopefully it will help you plan your days out

It also includes some suggested "trips round Snowdonia - without your car"
The majority of Snowdon Sherpa bus services are operated by modern low-floor minibuses
but are sometimes replaced by a larger bus during busy periods
There is no specific requirement for groups to pre-book, but ANY parties
are advised in their own interests to ring the operator the day before
to ensure a sufficiently large bus or duplicate is provided

Squeezing even a dozen extra passengers into a small minibus can sometimes be quite a challenge !!!!


The correct revised Sherpa and other current route numbers
(as further amended in early-April 2022) are shown
on the diagrams below and on the timetables throughout this website
 BEWARE....
Large wooden "Poster boards" with a network map appeared during summer 2011 at strategic locations throughout Snowdonia
but unfortunately some STILL contain some incorrect route numbers
(as at the time !)

Important - the former "S97" no longer operates..........
it is replaced by the new "S4" between Motfa Bycham and Pen-y-Pass
and NO LONGER continues to Betws-y-Coed

(so use the re-numbered S1" between Pen-y-Pass and Betws-y-Coed)

The former "S4" between Beddgelert and Caernarfon has been renumbered "S3" with most journeys extended to either Dinorwig or Bangor via Bethal

  
  


Note - in ALL cases THERE IS ONLY ONE BUS - SO DON'T GET LEFT BEHIND.....
.....especially if the indicator on the front of your "S3" or "S4" Sherpa shows an intermediate location (eg Beddgelert or Caernarfon) at the start of its journey

Far more worrying the former open-top Arriva "S2" Sherpa service via Llanrwst (which actually started from Llandudno, NOT the Junction) was withdrawn at the end of the 2009 season !
Use the alternative current "19" Conwy Valley bus services - most journeys connect with the "S1" Sherpa
at Betws-y-Coed - BUT NOTE SPECIALLY the last direct weekday northbound weekday journey
currently departs VERY EARLY at 1520..........
- but there are later "T10" Traws-Cymru bus services via the Ogwen Valley and Bangor
(alternatively use the "Conwy Valley" Railway trains which generally make better return connections

The former "S6" section of the network between Capel Curig and Bethesda
(has now been completely withdrawn and replaced by the new "two-hourly" all-year-round "T10" TrawsCymru service between Bangor and Corwen which also serves Llyn Ogwen (for Tryfan), Capel Curig (for the "S1" Sherpa to Pen-y-Pass and Llanberis) and Betws-y-Coed
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Weekdays


Sundays and Public Holidays
Current Snowdon Sherpa services are........
S1 - Betws-y-Coed - Pen-y-Pass - Llanberis - Caernarfon
S2 - Bangor - Llanberis - Nant Peris - Pen-y-Pass

S3 - Beddgelert - Caernarfon - Llanrug/Dinorwig  
S4 - Pen-y-Pass - Beddgelert - Porthmadog - Morfa Bychan
S5 - additional Llanberis "Park and Ride" journeys
TrawsCymru T10 - Bangor - Capel Curig (- Betws-y-Coed - Corwen)
connecting into the "S1" Sherpa at Capel Curig
to Pen-y-Pass (for "S4" to Beddgelert) - Llanberis (for "S2" to Bangor) - Caernarfon (for "S3" to Beddgelert)

Make sure you use the Snowdon Sherpas in 2024
Please do your bit to help the environment by keeping all unnecesary cars out of Snowdonia
                 
If you MUST take you car - remember many
roads in Snowdonia are designated "clearways"

(ensure you park at an appropriate location
or you are likely to end up with
a hefty parking fine !!!!!
)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Much easier, cheaper and greener to use the Snowdon Sherpas !!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That way you can go up Snowdon by one path and return down by another
            

Several different operators cover the Sherpa network
AND connecting services
- especially on Sundays

Generally speaking, to give you maximum flexibility, the best ticket
for travelling to, round and returning from Snowdonia for a whole day is the £6.00 "1 bws"
(one bus) Day Rover available from the driver of your first bus
(or a North Wales Day Rover if travelling from further afield including partially travelling by train to the Sherpa network)


So make sure you select and ask for the appropriate ticket for ALL of your proposed itineraries as many companies also offer their own day rover, which are only valid on their services !!!


Headline News...................
  Click here for further information
including archieved items

Monday 2nd September 2024
    Llew Jones has made further changes to the connecting journeys in the Conwy Valley

    Most important - the last direct weekday journey of the day from Betws-y-Coed to Llandudno has been
ADVANCED to 1505
--- still connects off the 1340 "S1" Sherpa from Caernarfon due 1455
 

Late Summer Public Holiday Monday 26th August 2024
      The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes) operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday

    However the connecting train services (shown against a light blue background) on the Conwy Valley and Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their weekday timetable

Late Spring Public Holiday Monday 27th May 2024
    The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes) operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday

    However the connecting train services (shown against a light blue background) on the Conwy Valley and Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their weekday timetable
 

Early Spring Public Holiday Monday 6th May 2024
      The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes) operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday

    However the connecting train services (shown against a light blue background) on the Conwy Valley and Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their weekday timetable

Easter Monday 1st April 2024
    The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes) operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday

    However the connecting train services (shown against a light blue background) on the Conwy Valley also the Cambrian Coast railway lines normally operate to their weekday timetable
 

Good Friday 29th March 2024
      The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes) operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday

    However the connecting train services (shown against a light blue background) on the Conwy Valley also the Cambrian Coast railway lines normallyoperate to their weekday timetable

Sunday 24th March 2024
    Extra "T10" journeys operate at weekends - giving an hourly frequency at the peak times of travel
 

Saturday 23rd March 2024
    The Summer "Sherpa" Timetables commence
    The level of service on the "S1" route from Betws-y-Coed to Caernarfon is again increase to hourly throughout each way
    The "S2" from Bangor to Llanberis is again extended to Pen-y-Pass....
.....with timings adjusted to give a half-hour "pattern between" Llanberis and Pen-y-Pass
    The "S3" from Caernarfon to Beddgelert is again increased to hourly
    Extra "S4" journeys run between Pen-y-Pass and Beddgelertalong the Nant Gwynant pass
- with most journeys now extended to Black Rock Sands
 

New Year's Day - Monday 1st January 2024
      There are no local bus services (including the whole of the "Snowdon Sherpa Network") on New Year's Day

    Normal weekday services re-commence on Tuesday 2nd January

Boxing Day - Tuesday 26th December 2023
    There are no local bus services (including the whole of the "Snowdon Sherpa Network") on Boxing Day

    Normal weekday services re-commence on Wednesday 27th December
 

Christmas Day - Monday 25th December 2023
      There are no local bus services (including the whole of the "Snowdon Sherpa Network") on Christmas Day

    Normal weekday services re-commence on Wednesday 27th December

Monday 11th December 2023
    As a result of some minor changes to the times of the Conwy Valley Line trains,  in particular the advancing of the weekdays mid-morning train from Llandudno..........
    ..........the mid-morning "S1" Sherpa from
Betws-y-Coed to Llanberis is ADVANCED to 1103
(on pattern)

    Unfortunately,  this severs the connection off the ONLY mid-morning bus from Llandudno
 

Late Summer Public Holiday Monday 28th August 2023
      The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes) operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday

    However the connecting train services (shown against a light blue background) on the Conwy Valley and Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their weekday timetable

Late Spring Public Holiday Monday 29th May 2023
      The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes) operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday

    However the connecting train services (shown against a light blue background) on the Conwy Valley and Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their weekday timetable

Coronation Weekend Public Holiday Monday 8th May 2023
    The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes) operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday

    However the connecting train services (shown against a light blue background) on the Conwy Valley and Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their weekday timetable
 

Early Spring Public Holiday Monday 1st May 2023
      The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes) operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday

    However the connecting train services (shown against a light blue background) on the Conwy Valley and Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their weekday timetable

commence


Wednesday 31st March 2010

Snow in Snowdonia on 31st March 2010
      The first week of the 2010 Summer Timetable !
    It snowed so hard causing the roads to be closed and the Sherpa services to be suspended for the day
    A very unusual occurance (even in the middle of winter !)
    BUT BEWARE !
Walking on the hills when covered with snow can be very dangerous



Click here for all the news items

This "unofficial" website attempts to give full details of what services are available today
and for the next few months

It also includes some suggested "trips round Snowdonia - without your car"

If you spot any error on this website (or have any additional information), please e-mail the webmaster so the information can be corrected / updated for the benefit of other visitors to this website

    Home Page    


    News Page    


    Tickets    


    Contacts    


    Contents    
Timetables
Suggested Sherpa Trips
Click here for the latest news about the Sherpa services

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 20th September 2024   e-mail webmaster   (c)2009-2024

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