SUMMARY OF SNOWDON SHERPA NETWORK - SUMMER 2026
UPDATE.....
Saturday 28th March 2026
   The level of Sherpa service on routes "S1" "S2" "S3" and "S4" increases to a similar level to last summer,  with minor retimings --- the "S5" "shuttle" to Pen-y-Pass is reinstated for the summer
   The level of Traws-Cynru service on route "T10" through the Ogwen pass is also to increase to a similar level to last summer
Sunday 17th May 2026
   Minor changes to train services of the Conwy Valley and North Wales Coast railway lines
   Click here for the latest information

    REMEMBER..........
    Due to so many last-minute changes to the various connecting BUS 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the TravelineCymru "Journey Planner") continue to show journeys which have either been "CHANGED" or sometimes even "WITHDRAWN"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 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
08.03 07.59
    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..........
£15.60 from Llandudno/Colwyn Bay/Abergele
- 2 zones* ("C/G")
£26.60 from Rhyl/Prestatyn - 3 zones* ("D/C/G")
    £42.00 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





D R A F T

DRAFT  Mondays to Saturdays from 18th May to 31st October 2026
except Public Holidays Late Spring Holiday Monday 25th May  and Late Summer Holiday Monday 31st August
see important note above
  Click here for suggested Monday to Saturday itineraries from 18th May 2024
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
* * * STILL TO BE FULLY UPDATED
Note specially - details of some last minute changes along the North Wales Coast Line are STILL to be published
   
"T for Wales"
 
"T for Wales"
 
"T for Wales"
 
"T for Wales"
   
     
Sat
M-F
 
M-F
Sat
 
      Chester Station dep   j
0623
-
-
0653
-
-
0926
0928
-
-
1223
1226
-
      Chester Station dep   j
      Shotton Station dep   j
|
-
-
0702
-
0902
|
|
-
1202
|
|
-
      Shotton Station dep   j
      Flint Station dep   j
0635
-
-
0708
-
0908
0939
0041
-
1208
1236
1239
-
      Flint Station dep   j
      Prestatyn Station dep   j
0648
-
-
0721
-
0921
0952
0954
-
1221
1248
1251
-
      Prestatyn Station dep   j
      Rhyl Station dep   j
0654
-
-
0727
-
0927
0958
1000
-
1227
1254
1257
-
      Rhyl Station dep   j
      Abergele Station dep   j
0700
-
-
0733
0914
|
|
|
1214
|
|
|
-
      Abergele Station dep   j
      Colwyn Bay Station dep   j
0707
-
-
0740
0921
0938
1008
1010
1221
1238
1305
1308
-
      Colwyn Bay Station dep   j
      Llandudno Junction arr
0713
-
-
0748
0928
0945
1014
1016
1228
1245
1312
1315
-
      Llandudno Junction arr
 
The Conwy Valley Line
 
   
Llew Jones
bus 19
     
  Llandudno (T for Wales) dep
07.08
-
-
0745
 10.10
-
-
-
 13.10
-
-
-
-
  Llandudno (T for Wales) dep
  Deganwy (T for Wales) dep
07.13
-
-
|
 10.15
-
-
-
 13.15
-
-
-
-
  Deganwy (T for Wales) dep
  Llandudno Junction (T for Wales) dep
07.25
-
-
0758 ##
 10.23
-
-
-
 13.23
-
-
-
-
  Llandudno Junction (T for Wales) dep
  Llanrwst (T for Wales) dep
07.49
-
-
##
 10.47
-
-
-
 13.47
-
-
-
-
  Llanrwst (T for Wales) dep
  Betws-y-Coed ("The Gateway to Snowdonia") arr
07.55
-
-
##
 10.53
-
-
-
 13.53
-
-
-
-
  Betws-y-Coed ("The Gateway to Snowdonia") arr
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
\|/
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
\|/
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
\|/
 
      Betws-y-Coed "S1" Sherpa dep  (platform 2 layby)
-
08.03
09.03
-
-
11.03
-
14.03
S+GSH
15.03
-
      Betws-y-Coed "S1" Sherpa dep  (platform 2 layby)
      Pen-y-Pass "S1"/"S4"
-
08.30
09.25
0932
-
11.25
1132
14.25
1432
15.25
1532
      Pen-y-Pass "S1"/"S4"
      Llanberis Interchange "S1" Sherpa arr
"T22"
Traws
-Cymru
08.50
09.50
|
"T22"
Traws
-Cymru
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 "S4" Sherpa arr
-
-
0955
-
1155
-
1455
-
1555
           Beddgelert "S4" Sherpa arr
  Blaenau Ffestiniog arr
08.29
09.15
-
-
|
 11.27
12.15
-
|
 14.27
-
|
-
|
  Blaenau Ffestiniog arr
           Porthmadog "S4" Sherpa arr
-
09.50
-
-
1027
-
12.50
-
1227
-
-
1527
-
1627
           Porthmadog "S4" Sherpa arr
- 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)    
 
## - Passengers travelling by train from the North Wales Coasr stations should change to the Llew Jones "19" bus to Betws-y-Coed    
which calls at Platform 5 (station approach) at Llandudno Junction (depart 07.58)    
then change to the 0903 "S1" Sherpa at Betws-y-Coed (or the 0903 TrawsCymru "T10" to Bangor via the Ogwen Valley - for Tryfan)    
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~    
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    
M-F - Mondays to Fridays only     Sat - Saturdays only     j - change trains at Llandudno Junction    
A - operated by Avanti     S+GSH - 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 £7.00 "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    
  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

   
   
"T22"
Traws
-Cymru
   
"T22"
Traws
-Cymru
     
           Porthmadog "S4" Sherpa dep
1330 $
-
-
1430
-
-
1630
-
-
1610
-
1730
-
1910
-
           Porthmadog "S4" Sherpa dep
  Blaenau Ffestiniog (T for Wales) dep
|
-
14.38
|
-
-
|
-
S3
1645
17.38
|
-
1945
20.38
  Blaenau Ffestiniog (T for Wales) dep
           Beddgelert "S4" Sherpa dep
1400 $
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
\|/
1500
-
-
1657
>>>>>>
1702
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
\|/
1800
-
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
\|/
           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
|
|
-
-
|
18.10
-
      Llanberis Interchange "S1" Sherpa dep 
      Pen-y-Pass "S4"/"S1"
1422 $
14.30
1522
15.30
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 below for alternative return train
connections via Bangor Railway Station
from Pen-y-Pass Beddgelert or Porthmadog)
   
  Betws-y-Coed (T for Wales) dep
-
15.07
18.07
 
21.07
  Betws-y-Coed (T for Wales) dep
  Llanrwst (T for Wales) dep
-
15.13
18.13
 
21.13
  Llanrwst (T for Wales) dep
  Llandudno Junction (T for Wales) arr
-
15.40
-
18.40
 
21.40
  Llandudno Junction (T for Wales) arr
  Deganwy (T for Wales)
-
 
15.54
-
 
18.54
 
21.54
  Deganwy (T for Wales)
  Llandudno (T for Wales) arr
-
16.01
-
19.01
 
22.01
  Llandudno (T for Wales) arr
   
Sat
M-F
 
 
 
      Llandudno Junction (T for Wales) dep   j
-
1544
1557
-
1844
1852
1857
 
2214
      Llandudno Junction (T for Wales) dep   j
      Colwyn Bay (T for Wales) arr   j
-
1551
1604
-
1851
xx1858
 
2220
      Colwyn Bay (T for Wales) arr   j
      Abergele (T for Wales) arr   j
-
1604
-
1904
 
2227
      Abergele (T for Wales) arr   j
      Rhyl (T for Wales) arr   j
-
1611
-
1911
 
2233
      Rhyl (T for Wales) arr   j
      Prestatyn (T for Wales) arr   j
-
1617
-
1917
 
2238
      Prestatyn (T for Wales) arr   j
      Flint (T for Wales) arr   j
-
1631
-
1931
 
2251
      Flint (T for Wales) arr   j
      Shotton (T for Wales) arr   j
-
1637
-
1937
 
2257
      Shotton (T for Wales) arr   j
      Chester (T for Wales) arr   j
-
1649
-
1949
 
2310
      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    
  GSch - Gwynedd School Days only   (excluding local public holidays)
   
$ - Saturdays also Gwynedd School Holidays only --- - confirm 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") and Caernarfon ("S3" to "S1")    
(Beddgelert arrive 1657, depart 1702) and Caernarfon arrrive 1734, dpart 1740)    
  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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    News Page    


    Tickets    


    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 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 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 DRAFT page last  Updated - snowdon sherpa bus service on 17th March 2026   e-mail webmaster   (c)2026

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