BiFest Wales 2018 – Getting to the venue, maps and travel information

Background

BiFest Wales is open to bi people, people who think they may be bi, people attracted to more than one gender who use a different or no term, and supportive people, friends, family and allies whatever sexuality/ sexual orientation they are.

Swansea YMCA is kindly supporting the event. We aim to provide a family-friendly space, supportive for everyone and allowing everyone to discuss bi issues and experiences in a safe and friendly environment. We have a Code of Conduct available, which all delegates should read. If you have any queries or concerns please contact the organisers.

Venue and getting here

Swansea YMCA is located at 1 The Kingsway, Swansea, SA1 5JQ. For photos of the venue you can visit their website:

A map with walking directions has been created for the event. There are directions from Swansea train station and Swansea bus station. The map also shows where some of the NCP car parks and main hotels are in Swansea. A link to the map is here:

We are happy to print a copy of the map and directions and send it to you on request. Unfortunately we can’t save and email the map in a different format.

We are hoping to have someone at the train station to meet people arriving on the trains listed below and walk people over to the venue. If we can arrange this they will be at the train station from 11:30am until 12:05 then walk people over in time to be registered before the first workshop, which starts at 12:30. The volunteer will be holding a sign saying BiFest Wales.
Please email us at or check the Bi Cymru/Wales Facebook group for details, as we are looking for a volunteer to help us with this.

We have included travel information for the main routes in Wales and from outside Wales below. However these are only a selection of starting points, based on routes to Swansea and where people have travelled from to previous BiFest Wales events.

Finding travel information - For details of busses, coaches and trains from your area of Wales to Swansea visit: or call 0871 200 22 33. Traveline Cymru provides details of all train and bus travel in Wales. For travel in England check

There are Megabus routes from many starting points to Cardiff, from where there are busses and trains to Swansea. Only routes which go all the way to Swansea at convenient times are included below. To check for Megabus routes near you to Cardiff go to their website:

National Express coaches also go to Cardiff or Swansea from a variety of starting points. Only routes with convenient timings and lower prices than trains are included below. For a full list of routes and times visit:

Train times and prices have been checked through on 31st March 2018 and are subject to change. Bi Cymru and BiFest Wales accept no responsibility for incorrect or inaccurate listings or prices. You can find train times and book for all train journeys in the UK on the trainline. The main train companies serving Wales are Arriva Trains Wales: and Great Western Railway: . You can book train tickets through both these sites. There are a range of other train booking sites such as: and you can check train times and details and book at

Accommodation – there is a separate list of accommodation in Swansea to help you plan your stay if you want to come for more than 1 day. And hopefully you’ll be able to stay to the end of the live alternative music gig at 11:30pm!

Please note times and prices were checked on other websites on 31st March 2018. Bi Cymru/Wales accepts no liability for incorrect information or prices changing. We have tried to be accurate, but please check Traveline Cymru, your local bus or train station, or another website to confirm.

Transport within Wales

North Wales, Chester and Shrewsbury

There are trains departing hourly from North Wales to Cardiff Central or Shrewsbury then changing once to get to Swansea.

There is a 4:25 am train from Holyhead to Swansea. This goes via Valley; Llanfairpwll; Bangor (4:57am); Llandudno Junction (5:15am); Colwyn Bay (5:21am); Rhyl (5:31am); Prestatyn (5:37am); Flint (5:50am); Chester (6:12am); Wrexham General (6:38am); Ruabon (6:45am); Chirk (6:51am); Gobowen (6:57am); Shrewsbury (7:19am); Ludlow (7:45); Leominster (7:55); Hereford (8:12); Abergavenny (8:35); Pontypool & New Inn (8:45); Cwmbran (8:50); Newport Gwent (9:02) and Cardiff (9:22am) with a change at Cardiff to join the train from London (9:51am from Cardiff) getting into Swansea at 11:17am.

The 5:22 train from Holyhead arrives at 11:59am, changing at Shrewsbury at 8:20, leaving Shrewsbury at 8:50

Newport, Cardiff, Bridgend, Port Talbot and Neath

Trains are at least one an hour from Newport to Swansea and there are at least 2 trains an hour from Cardiff Central to Swansea and the journey lasts around 1 hour 55 minutes from Newport and 50-55 minutes from Cardiff.

The 9:32am train from Newport gets into Swansea at 11:17am calling at Cardiff Central (9:51am); Bridgend (10:44am); Port Talbot Parkway (10:57am); Neath (11:05am) and arriving in Swansea at 11:17am.

The 10:31am train from Newport gets into Swansea at 12:17pm calling at Cardiff Central (10:50am); Bridgend (11:44am); Port Talbot Parkway (11:57am); Neath (12:05am) and arriving in Swansea at 12:17pm.

There is a National Express coach from Newport to Swansea leaving Newport at 9:55am and getting into Swansea at 11:35am.

There’s a 10:25am National Express coach from Cardiff to Swansea arriving in Swansea at 11:35am.

Busses are also available from Cardiff to Swansea, including the X10 (previously The Greyhound), express route and are often cheaper than trains, although less frequent and the last bus is earlier. There are a range of local bus routes from Bridgend, Port Talbot and Neath to Swansea. Concessionary Wales bus passes are valid on local bus routes and they are often cheaper than trains, but take longer and stop earlier. All travel information in Wales and busses, including prices, can be found at

West Wales (Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire)

There is a direct train route from Pembroke, Milford Haven, Tenby and Fishguard via Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen and Llanelli to Swansea, although trains are only every 2 hours or so from Pembrokeshire and hourly from Carmarthen. Busses are also available.

The 9:09am train from Pembroke Dock calls at Pembroke (9:17am); Lamphey (9:20am); Manorbier (9:29am); Penally (9:34am); Tenby (9:37am); Saundersfoot (9:45am); Kilgetty (9:47am); Narberth (9:57am); Whitland (10:05am); Carmarthen (10:27am); Pembrey and Bury Port (10:47am); Llanelli (10:53am); and Gowerton (11:01am), arriving in Swansea at 11:17am

The 9:10 Milford Haven train calls at Johnston (9:18am); Haverfordwest (9:25am); Clarbeston Road (9:33am); Clunderwen (9:40am); Whitland (9:47am); Carmarthen (10:06am); Pembrey and Bury Port (10:24am); Llanelli (10:31am), Gowerton (10:38) arriving in Swansea at 10:51am.

There is also a 9:53am train from Fishguard Harbour going through Fishguard and Goodwick (9:56am); Claberston Road (10:14am); Clunderwen (10:22am); Whitland (10:29am) and arriving in Carmarthen at 10:46am. Where you can change to the 11:10 train to Swansea going thorough Ferryside (11:20am); Kidwelly (11:25am); Pembrey and Burry Port (11:31am); Llanelli (11:38am); Gowerton (11:45am) and arriving in Swansea at 11:58am.

Aberystwyth, Lampeter and Aberaeron

The T1 bus operated by First Cymru goes from Aberystwyth to Carmarthen, via Llanrhystud, Aberaeron, Lampeter, Llanbydder and Pencader, every hour. The 701 bus operated by Lewis's Coaches runs Aberystwyth to Swansea, but these are not frequent. Trains from Carmarthen are hourly to Swansea.

The 6:40am T1 bus operated by First Cymru goes from Aberystwyth bus station calling at a variety of places including Llanrhystud (7:03am), Aberaeron (7:22am), Lampeter (7:49am) (you will probably have to change at Lampeter or stay on the same bus, check with the driver), Llanbydder (8:08am) and Pencader (8:27am) gets into Carmarthen railway station at 8:57am where you can get the 9:15am train to Swansea arriving at 11:06am.

The 7:40 701 bus operated by Lewis's Coaches goes from Aberystwyth bus station calling at places including Llanrhystud (7:58am); Aberaeron (8:12am); Lampeter (8:37am); Llanbydder (8:49am); Carmarthen (9:23am); Cross Hands (9:41am) and arriving at Swansea at 10:13 am

The 7:40am T1 bus operated by First Cymru goes from Aberystwyth bus station calling at a variety of places including Llanrhystud (9:03am), Aberaeron (8:22am), Lampeter (8:54am) (you may have to change at Lampeter or stay on the same bus, check with the driver), Llanbydder (9:08am) and Pencader (9:25am) gets into Carmarthen railway station at 9:53am where you can get the 10:15am train to Swansea arriving at 12:06am or get the National Express from the bus station at 11:10am arriving in Swansea at 11:55 pm.

There is a Megabus from Aberystwyth via Lampeter to Swansea leaving at Aberystwyth at 8:30am; Lampeter at 9:25am; Carmarthen at 10:15 and arriving in Swansea at 11:15am. Prices are currently £4, but are subject to change.

Getting to BiFest Wales from outside Wales

London, Swindon, Reading, Bristol and Newport

There are trains directly from London to Swansea. These depart hourly from London Paddington and take around 3 hours to get to Swansea. The same train goes via Reading (2 hours 40 minutes), Swindon (2 hours 10 minutes), Bristol Parkway (1 hour 40 minutes), Newport (1 hour 20 mins), Cardiff Central, Bridgend, Port Talbot and Neath.

On Saturday 12th May 2018 the 7:45am train from Paddington gets you into Swansea at 10:43am, with advance singles starting at £24.00 from London; £22.50 from Reading; £12.00 from Swindon; £9.50 from Bristol Parkway

The 7:45am train from London Paddington calls at Reading (8:12am); Swindon (8:41am); Bristol Parkway (9:09am); Newport (9:31am); Cardiff Central (9:50am); Bridgend (10:10am); Port Talbot (10:23am); and Neath (10:31am); arrives at Swansea at 10:43am.

There is also a National Express coach leaving London Victoria at 4am and changing at Heathrow. That coach leaves at 7:10 and goes via Bristol coach station at 9:10am and arriving in Swansea at 11:35am. Cheapest tickets are currently £18.00 one way.

Manchester, Stockport, Crewe, Shrewsbury and Hereford

There is also a direct train from Manchester Piccadilly to Swansea. This train departs hourly and takes around 5 hours to get to Swansea. This train goes via Stockport, Wilmslow, Crewe, Nantwich (some trains), Whitchurch (some trains), Wem (some trains) Shrewsbury, Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Ludlow, Leominster, Hereford, Abergavenny, Cwmbran, Newport, Cardiff Central, Bridgend, Port Talbot and Neath.

On Saturday 12th May 2018 the 6:30am train from Manchester gets you into Swansea at 10:51am and the 7:30am train from Manchester gets you into Swansea at 11:59am. Advance single train tickets start from £26.50 one way if you book well in advance.

The 6:30am train from Manchester calls at Stockport (6:39am), Wilmslow (6:47am); Crewe (7:08am); Nantwich (7:16am); Whitchurch (7:27am); Wem (7:37am); Shrewsbury (7:51am); Church Stretton (8:07am); Craven Arms (8:16am); Ludlow (8:24am); Leominster (8:36am); Hereford (8:52am); Abergavenny (9:16am); Cwmbran (9:29am); Newport (9:41am); Cardiff Central (10:00am); Bridgend (10:19am); Port Talbot (10:31am); and Neath (10:38am); arriving at Swansea at 10:51am.

The 7:30am train from Manchester calls at Stockport (7:39am), Wilmslow (7:46am); Crewe (8:08am); Nantwich (8:17am); Whitchurch (8:27am); Shrewsbury (8:50am); Church Stretton (9:05am); Craven Arms (9:13am); Ludlow (9:20am); Leominster (9:31); Hereford (9:50am); Abergavenny (10:13am); Cwmbran (10:25am); Newport (10:44am); Cardiff Central (11:05am); Bridgend (11:24am); Port Talbot (11:38am); and Neath (11:46am); arriving at Swansea at 11:59am.

Birmingham

Trains are hourly with a change at Cardiff Central. Advanced singles are currently available for £32.40 if you book well in advance.

The 7:30am train from Birmingham New Street gets into Swansea at 10:43am, calling at University [Birmingham] (7:36); Cheltenham Spa (8:10am) ; Gloucester (8:22); Chepstow (8:48); Newport (9:07) and Cardiff Central (9:23am). Change to the 9:50 train arriving at Swansea at 10:43am.

By air

There is an airport near Cardiff in Rhoose.

There are flights to Cardiff airport from

Wales - Anglesey

Scotland - Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow

England - Newcastle,

Channel Islands - Jersey

Northern Ireland – Belfast

Ireland – Dublin, Cork

As well as a range of international destinations.

There is a shuttle bus to the trains and then a train from Rhoose (Cardiff International Airport) to Bridgend where you can change to a train to Swansea.

There is also now a rail-air link bus from the airport to Cardiff.

For more details about the airport and flights visit:

By Ferry
There is a Swansea-Cork ferry operated by Fastnet line

The ferry port isn’t far from the town centre at:

Swansea Ferry Port,
King's Dock,
Swansea,
Wales
SA1 1SF

There are also ferries to Pembroke and Fishguard from Rosslare. You can get a train from Pembroke and Fishguard to Swansea.