Travelling to Talsarnau is best by Train, the local
station is 'Talsarnau' which links to the mainline at Birmingham.
There is a regular bus and train service stopping in Talsarnau that can be used to travel around the area. From the coast of North Wales down to Aberystwyth, public transport can take you there and back in a day. Below are some day trip ideas, please remember these are only guides and you should verify bus/train times which do vary depending on the time of year. We advise asking bus drivers and train guards for details of pickup points for return journeys and changes:
Portmeirion: The easiest way to visit is by train, the first leaves Talsarnau at 10:30 and arrives at Minffordd, which is the station for Portmeirion, at 10:40. Return trains are fairly regular with the last being 19:35.
Porthmadog: Visiting by train is as above with the first train being the 10:30 and last leaving Porthmadog at 19:30.
Bangor and Caernarfon: Your journey starts by train to Porthmadog, you would then take a bus from there with the same service going to both destinations.
This is a full day trip starting with the 8:45 (next 10:30) train from Talsarnau, the bus then leaves Porthmadog at 10:05 (next 12:05) there is an approximate hours stopover in Porthmadog to look around.
Caernarfon: Bus arrives at 10:45 and stops near to the Castle. Departure time is 15:40 giving more than 4½ hours to explore.
Bangor: Bus arrives at 11:05 in the city centre close to shops and the Cathedral. Departure is at 15:15 allowing around 4 hours.
The bus arrives back in Porthmadog at 16:20 linking with either the train service leaving at 19:30, allowing time to visit a pub or restaurant for some refreshment or alternatively you can stay on this bus changing at the Oakeley arms stop (Arriving at 16:35 with around 20 minutes stop over) and arriving back in Talsarnau at 15:20.
Harlech: Harlech can be reached by bus or train, with a number of services; you just need to select the one that best suits your timetable.
Barmouth: A regular bus service leaves Talsarnau hourly at 5 minutes to the hour, journey time is around 40 minutes. Return bus leaves approximately hourly with the last leaving at 18:40.
Aberystwyth: The easiest journey is by train, leaving Talsarnau at 8:30 (next 10:20) arriving in Machynlleth at 10:00 (next 11:55) you then depart on the 10:48 (next 12:48) to Aberystwyth arriving at 11:20 (next 13:20)
For the return journey the last train leaves at 19:30 changing at Machynlleth with a stopover of around an hour, arriving back in Talsarnau at 22:30.
A number of trains run during the day if you wished to return earlier.
The route to Aberystwyth passes through other towns you may wish to visit including Fairbourne, Tywyn and Aberdovey.
Blaenau Ffestiniog: One of the most enjoyable journeys is from Porthmadog on the Ffestiniog railway. You can start your journey from Talsarnau by train travelling to Porthmadog from where you can change to the Ffestiniog railway for the journey to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Times vary so you will need to check.
There is also a bus service that passes through Talsarnau travelling on to Blaenau, bus times start at 8:20 and from 10:20 are hourly. On most services you will need to change at the Oakeley Arms so ask the driver for details. The last bus returning to Talsarnau leaves at 19:15, after the change of bus at the Oakeley Arms you will arrive back in Talsarnau at 20:20.
Beddgellert and Betws Y Coed: A very pleasant journey which starts in Talsarnau by train at 10:30, firstly going to Porthmadog then taking the bus departing at 11:00. The journey is through beautiful Welsh countryside and takes approximately 20 minutes to Beddgellert. The same bus continues taking the road passed Mt. Snowdon and on through Capel Curig to Betws Y Coed arriving at approximately 12:00.
The Last bus leaving Betws Y Coed at 16:20 picking up in Beddgellert at 17:05 arriving in Porthmadog at 17:25. The last train back to Talsarnau leaves Porthmadog at 19:30 (there is a train which leaves at 18:00)
Llanberis: The bus to Llanberis leaves Caernarfon (See above for journey details) at 11:00 (13:05 for later journey) arriving in Llanberis at 11:30. Last bus leaves Llanberis at 15:00 getting into Caernarfon in time for the 15:40 return journey.
Llandudno, Conwy and Conwy Valley Railway Line: A extremely picturesque train journey can be taken from Blaenau Ffestiniog (Blaenau) to Llandudno Junction/Llandudno along the Conwy Valley Line.
Your Journey starts in Talsarnau with the 10:28 bus for Blaenau, you will need to change at the Oakeley Arms, so ask the driver to give you details. Once you have arrived in Blaenau (11:20) take the train departing at 11:55 for Llandudno. There are a number of places along the way that you may wish to visit including Betws Y Coed, Llanwrst and Conwy (will need a short walk or Taxi ride)
The last train leaves Llandudno at 16:15 arriving in Blaenau at 17:45. The bus to Talsarnau leaves at 19:15, allowing enough time for a relaxing drink etc. after the change of bus at the Oakeley Arms you will arrive back in Talsarnau at 20:20.