The news you’ve all been waiting for has arrived…
Tickets for 2022 services on sale at 12:00 (midday) Wednesday, 9th February!
With much work to do this winter including some major track upgrades and significant locomotive and building maintenance, we will not be running trains over the February half term. If you are already planning a visit then, some of our fellow railways from the Great Little Trains of Wales will be running and will be delighted to see you.
The season will begin on the 26th of March 2022, and we will initially operate in much the same way as last year, allowing customers to purchase either a full return journey on these services or, alternatively, a one-way ticket between the principal stations. Welsh Highland services start on 29th of March due to a private photo charter.
Journey options this year will include:
Woodland Wanderer Porthmadog – Tan-y-Bwlch
Mountain Spirit Porthmadog – Blaenau Ffestiniog
Gelert Explorer Caernarfon – Beddgelert
Glaslyn Venturer Porthmadog – Beddgelert
Snowdonia Star Caernarfon – Porthmadog
The Harbourmaster Porthmadog – Caernarfon
Slight variations have been made to the seating arrangements on our services – with the exception of the ‘Woodland Wanderer’, which will continue with separated compartments in heritage carriages.
To increase flexibility, solo travellers will now pay the fare for one person and be allocated a two-seater table, parties of 2-4 passengers will be assigned a four-seater table, with groups of 5-6 being allocated a six-seater bay.
The ability to board and depart at specific intermediate stations, as well as return journeys beginning at Blaenau Ffestiniog, will be introduced a little later in the season. However, limited advanced booking will be available from Beddgelert and Waunfawr stations from the start of the season. One-way tickets are available and may be booked by calling the booking office.
Membership benefits have been maintained in 2022 and may be booked online.
Full details and online bookings are on the Ffestiniog Railway website.
Catering & Shops
Our catering outlets at Spooner’s and Caffi De Winton are currently open whilst our Tearooms at Tan-y-Bwlch will reopen temporarily during Half Term week at 10:00 – 16:00 between Saturday, 19th February – Sunday, 27th February, and will open its doors for the season on Saturday, 26th March.
Detailed opening times on all our catering outlets can be found on our website on the ‘Food and Drink page.
In other exciting news, we recently launched our new online shop, in line with an innovative retail management software, allowing us to make the online shopping experience more efficient for both our customers and staff. This also enables us to tout our wares on both eBay and Amazon which is bringing in extra business in the quiet period.
Head over to our website to take a look for yourself!
The Online Shop remains the perfect place for all your railway merchandise and gifts! We have hundreds of fantastic items available including Artwork, Books, Calendars, Clothing, DVDs and Model Railway supplies.
Our ‘A Year in the Life of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways – 2021’ DVD/Blu-ray is now available to buy from the web shop. If you missed your visit last year, this is for you!
Every penny we make from our Online Shop goes towards helping to maintain our world-famous, much-loved railways!
Short summary of what to expect from each service this season
‘Woodland Wanderer’
Our popular ‘Woodland Wanderer’ heritage service to Tan-y-Bwlch makes a welcome return this Spring, allowing visitors to travel in a selection of our carefully preserved heritage carriages, providing a throwback 1960s style experience!
Our ‘Woodland Wanderer’ service will run on most days, although there may be some variations during the season.
This service is ideal for families and those with dogs due to its relatively short journey time and the ability to travel in your very own individual compartment.
The total journey time is approx. 2 hours 30 minutes including approx. a 1-hour interval at Tan-y-Bwlch station, allowing passengers to take a stroll along the woodland trail to Llyn Mair, the pretty lake in the valley and to enjoy some delicious refreshments at the station tearooms.
We will allow passengers to make a full return journey on this service, boarding at Porthmadog, or alternatively, passengers can also book a one-way ticket, beginning from either Porthmadog or Tan-y-Bwlch.
The ‘Woodland Wanderer’ service will continue with separated compartments in heritage carriages.
‘Mountain Spirit’
Our classic Ffestiniog Railway experience from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog returns with a new name; Mountain Spirit. Complete with our newest rolling stock and the observation car placed at the Blaenau end, this is sure to be a favourite among visitors in 2022!
Our ‘Mountain Spirit’ service will run on most days, although there may be some variations during the season.
We are delighted to offer a service along the full length of the Ffestiniog Railway as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of reopening to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Modern carriages constructed to the highest standards in our own workshops offer excellent views of the beautiful Vale of Ffestiniog before arriving at Blaenau Ffestiniog, the slate quarrying town that once “Roofed the World”
The total journey time is approx. 3 hours including approx. a 40-minute interval at Blaenau Ffestiniog, enabling passengers to stretch their legs, take some photos, get some refreshments and admire the locomotive before the return journey back to Porthmadog.
We are initially only allowing passengers to make a return journey on this service from Porthmadog Harbour Station, with one way tickets from either Porthmadog or Blaenau Ffestiniog also available. However, we plan on allowing customers to purchase return tickets from Blaenau Ffestiniog later in the season.
To increase flexibility on our ‘Mountain Spirit’ service, solo travellers will now be allocated a two-seater table, parties of 2-4 passengers will be assigned a four-seater table, with groups of 5-6 being allocated a six-seater bay.
First Class experiences are also available on this service – see our ‘Gold Services’ webpage for further details.
‘Gelert Explorer’
Our hugely popular ‘Gelert Explorer’ service from Caernarfon to Beddgelert returns in 2022, travelling the northern end of the Welsh Highland Railway on a scenic journey filled with variety across the foothills of Snowdon!Our ‘Gelert Explorer’ service will run between Sunday – Thursday, although there may be some variations during the season.
This experience has it all; comfortable carriages, delicious hampers, magnificent scenery and an interval at one of Snowdonia National Park’s most picturesque villages.
The total journey time is approx. 5 hours with approx. a 90-minute interval at Beddgelert village, allowing passengers an opportunity to enjoy some local delicacies at the assortment of cafes, shops and pubs or explore the picturesque walking paths overlooked by Snowdonia’s majestic mountains.
We are initially only allowing passengers to make a return journey on this service from Caernarfon Station, or to book one way tickets from either Caernarfon or Beddgelert.
Alternatively, customers can book a return journey or a one-way ticket from Waunfawr on this service. Please note, due to very limited parking in Waunfawr we recommend customers only book this pick up service if they are staying in Waunfawr village or campsite.
To increase flexibility on our ‘Gelert Explorer’ service, solo travellers will now be allocated a two-seater table, parties of 2-4 passengers will be assigned a four-seater table, with groups of 5-6 being allocated a six-seater bay.
A selection of Hampers can be pre-booked on this service, full details are available on our ‘Hampers’ page.
First Class experiences are also available on this service – see our ‘Gold Services’ webpage for further details.
‘Glaslyn Venturer’
The ‘Glaslyn Venturer’ will remain a feature on our 2022 services timetable, offering passengers the opportunity to travel the southern end of the Welsh Highland Railway, between Porthmadog and Beddgelert!
Our ‘Glaslyn Venturer’ service will run between Sunday – Thursday, although there may be some variations during the season.
Enjoy wide vistas of the Snowdonian mountains as you journey across the ‘Traeth Mawr’ flatlands, marvel at the Glaslyn river as you pass along a ledge in the Aberglaslyn Pass and enjoy an interval at the idyllic village of Beddgelert.
The total journey time is approx. 3 hours with approx. a 75-minute interval at Beddgelert village, allowing passengers an opportunity to enjoy some local delicacies at the assortment of cafes, shops and pubs or explore the picturesque walking paths overlooked by Snowdonia’s majestic mountains.
We are initially only allowing passengers to make a return journey on this service from Porthmadog Harbour Station, with one way tickets from either Porthmadog or Beddgelert also available.
To increase flexibility on our ‘Glaslyn Venturer’ service, solo travellers will now be allocated a two-seater table, parties of 2-4 passengers will be assigned a four-seater table, with groups of 5-6 being allocated a six-seater bay.
A selection of Hampers can be pre-booked on this service, full details are available on our ‘Hampers’ page.
First Class experiences are also available on this service – see our ‘Gold Services’ webpage for further details.
‘Snowdonia Star’
The ‘Snowdonia Star’ is back in 2022, journeying a total of 50 miles from coast to coast and back again across the entirety of the Welsh Highland Railway, making it the ultimate grand day-out!
Our ‘Snowdonia Star’ service will run on Friday and Saturday, although there may be some variations during the season.
Highlights are endless on this epic journey as you travel over farmland and forest, cross the foothills of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), descend steep hillsides, pass through idyllic villages, traverse along high ridges and cross expansive estuaries.
When you cross the harbour bridge into Porthmadog station, spare a thought for the moment in early 2009 when the final piece of track was laid and fitted with ‘Golden Bolts’ to connect the link with the Ffestiniog Railway.
Our modern carriages provide excellent views from every window, so you’re free to sit back and take in the many wonders during your journey!
The total journey time is approx. 7 hours with approx. a 2-hour layover at Porthmadog, allowing passengers ample time to explore this historic harbour town – with its cafes, restaurants and craft shops or enjoy a drink on the terrace of Spooner’s at Porthmadog station – before the train heads back to Caernarfon, allowing passengers to enjoy all the fantastic views from a slightly different perspective!
We are initially only allowing passengers to make a return journey on this service from Caernarfon Station, with one way tickets from either Caernarfon or Porthmadog also available.
Alternatively, customers can book a return journey or a one-way ticket from Waunfawr on this service. Please note, due to very limited parking in Waunfawr we recommend customers only book this pick up service if they are staying in Waunfawr village or campsite.
To increase flexibility on our ‘Snowdonia Star’ service, solo travellers will now be allocated a two-seater table, parties of 2-4 passengers will be assigned a four-seater table, with groups of 5-6 being allocated a six-seater bay.
A selection of Hampers can be pre-booked on this service, full details are available on our ‘Hampers’ page.
First Class experiences are also available on this service – see our ‘Gold Services’ webpage for further details.
‘The Harbourmaster’
Last but by no means least, our ‘The Harbourmaster’ experience will undoubtedly be a highlight of our 2022 service as it returns this Spring!
Our ‘The Harbourmaster’ service will run on Friday and Saturday, although there may be some variations during the season.
‘The Harbourmaster’ sets off from the old slate quays beside the harbour in Porthmadog, making its way inland across the captivating floodplains and meadows of the Traeth Mawr Estuary.
Next up, the renowned splendour of the Aberglaslyn Pass and the idyllic village of Beddgelert, before the climb up the forested hillside begins as the train makes its way onto the foothills of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).
Look out for the sign marking the summit of the line (‘Y Copa’ in Welsh) before the gradual descent through farmlands and forests towards the harbour and quayside at Caernarfon.
Our modern carriages provide excellent views from every window, so you’re free to sit back and take in the many wonders during your journey!
The total journey time is approx. 7 hours with approx. a 2-hour layover at Caernarfon, allowing passengers time to explore this historic town – with its impressive castle, narrow streets, small shops and market square – before the train heads back on the return journey to Porthmadog.
We are initially only allowing passengers to make a return journey on this service from Porthmadog Station, with one way tickets from either Porthmadog or Caernarfon also available.
Alternatively, customers can book a return journey or a one-way ticket from Beddgelert / Meillionen on this service. Please note, that due to summer demand there is very limited parking in Beddgelert so we recommend you only use this pick up service if you are staying in the village or at Forest Holidays – Beddgelert.
To increase flexibility on our ‘The Harbourmaster’ service, solo travellers will now be allocated a two-seater table, parties of 2-4 passengers will be assigned a four-seater table, with groups of 5-6 being allocated a six-seater bay.
A selection of Hampers can be pre-booked on this service, full details are available on our ‘Hampers’ page.
First Class experiences are also available on this service – see our ‘Gold Services’ webpage for further details.
We are counting down the days until we can welcome you all back to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways – it won’t be long now!
Bookings will be open for trains between late March and October.
Full details of our 2022 services can be found on the ‘Train Services page on our website.
