How to get to Merthyr Tydfil , Rhondda Cynon Taff and Cardiff
From UK destinations to Cardiff
London Paddington – 1 hour 50
Bristol – 1 hour
Birmingham – 2 hours
Llandudno – 4 hours 30
Manchester – 3 hours 20
From Cardiff to the 3 Valleys
With an easy change of trains at Cardiff Central station, fast and frequent trains serve Pontypridd, Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr with the following journey times.
Pontypridd – 30 minutes
Treherbert – 67 minutes
Aberdare – 65 minutes
Merthyr – 65 minutes
Eurostar
Eurostar services connect Amsterdam, Brussels, Lille and Paris with London St Pancras via the Channel Tunnel. Frequent services to Cardiff Central are provided by Great Western Railway and depart from London Paddington, a short transfer from London St Pancras.
Cardiff Airport
The Valleys are accessible by train from Cardiff International Airport, which has flights from mainland Europe, Ireland and Canada. A short bus transfer links Rhoose railway station with the airport.
To plan your journey by train from anywhere in the UK, please visit https://tfw.wales/plan-a-journey
Bus Services
Local bus services connect Cardiff with Pontypridd, Porth, Maerdy and Merthyr. To plan your journey by bus, please visit https://www.traveline.cymru/
Stena Line and Irish Ferries
Stena Line and Irish Ferries provide regular ferry services between Dublin, Rosslare, Holyhead, Fishguard Harbour and Pembroke Dock. Direct train services connect Fishguard Harbour, Pembroke Dock and Holyhead with Cardiff, from where onward connections to the Valleys region can be made.
Tickets
You can buy train tickets online, from ticket vending machines, via the Transport for Wales App or from station ticket offices.
‘Pay As You Go’ is also available on services operated by Transport for Wales on the routes from Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr to Cardiff. Tap in at the station you are travelling from and tap out on arrival at your destination. To find out more about ‘Pay as you go’ please click here.
Ticket offices are located at the following stations:
Take advantage of some great savings when travelling by train!
Holders of the bus pass can enjoy free travel on buses and a 1/3 discount off train fares on the Cardiff Valleys network after 0930 Monday to Friday and anytime on Saturday and Sunday. For further information, please click here
Holders of any of the 9 National Railcards can also enjoy a 1/3 discount off fares. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit Discover Savings with Railcards | National Rail for full details
Perfect for a family day out by train where up to two children under 16 to travel free on the TFW network with every fare paying adult. For further details, please click here.
Enjoy unlimited travel on trains and some bus services in the Cardiff and Valleys region after 0930 Monday to Friday or anytime on the weekend. For full details and fares, please click here
Your ideal companion to discover the whole of Wales by train. This great value pass is also valid on certain bus services. It can be used for a maximum of four days in an eight-day period on trains, while it can be used for the full eight days on buses.
For further details including prices and how to purchase your pass, please click here
The Explore South Wales can be used for a maximum of four days in an eight-day period on trains. It can be used for the full eight days on buses operated by Cardiff Bus, Stagecoach South Wales, First Cymru and Traws Cymru services (T1, T1A, T1C, T1X, T4, T5, T6, T11, T14).
For further details including how to purchase your pass, please click here