Trains to Holyhead

Things to do in Holyhead

The island of South Stack is a rock off the western coast of Holy Island, which is itself off the main island of Anglesey. It’s famous for being the home of South Stack Lighthouse, which was built in 1809 to protect ships in the Irish Sea heading to Holyhead and Liverpool. It is now one of Anglesey’s best-loved tourist attractions, although do note that you’ll have to descend 400 steps to get to the bridge, then climb 28 metres to reach the lighthouse. And then you have to ascend 400 steps to get back to the cafe on the mainland after your visit. It’s quite a climb on a hot day!

Did you know you can take a day trip to Dublin from Holyhead? Get there nice and early and you can take the 2-hour voyage over the sea in a comfy ferry with plenty of amenities, spend your day in the city and hop back over in the evening. Of course, you can also opt to spend the night in the famously lively capital of Eire for a trip to remember.

For a more pensive couple of hours, why not learn about the fascinating seafaring history of the area at the Holyhead Maritime Museum? Find out about the port and the characters who made it all possible, and discover the sobering stories of shipwrecks, heroism and wartime experiences. It’ll really give you a taste of the local character.

Popular Avanti West Coast trains to Holyhead

You can reach Holyhead easily from all over the UK, although if you’re travelling from north of Manchester, you’ll have to change trains at least once.

Ways to save

The easiest way to save money on your trip to Holyhead is to avoid peak hours. Once the rush hour is over, prices drop significantly, so if you don’t need to be there early, book a little later. If you book in advance instead of getting your ticket at the station, you can save even more - and the earlier you get it, the better.

Now you’re on our website, it’s simple to book your ticket direct. Buy now on the site or our companion app and you’ll save compared to external sellers because we don’t charge a fee. Travelling with two or more others? A group booking can save you money.

If you travel more than a few times a year, a Railcard can bring you great savings. For a one-off annual payment (or you can buy a 3-year card to save even more), you’ll get one-third off all off-peak travel, or as much as half off if you're 16 or 17 years old.

Find out more on our ways to save page.

Yes, there is a taxi rank situated outside Holyhead train station, from which you can catch a cab to your destination.

Yes, it’s easy to get to Holyhead by train. Avanti West Coast runs regular trains to Holyhead, so you can travel in comfort from wherever you are in the country. Check our train times page for up-to-date information on routes, journey times, and train timetables.

Holyhead train station is well-served by public transport, including bus services 4B, 4R, 4X and X4. The nearest bus stop is just across the footbridge on the main road. There's also a ferry terminal connected to the station, with connections to Dublin. Additionally, there is car parking and bike parking.

The car park at Holyhead train station is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so you can leave your car overnight when you take your trip. The parking charge for 24 hours is £8.

The best way to get cheap tickets to Holyhead is to book in advance. You can do that online or on the Avanti West Coast app - and remember that when you book directly with us, you don’t pay any booking fees. It’s also easy to upgrade or change your ticket when you book with us, giving you more flexibility. There are also lots of other ways to save with Avanti. If you’re travelling with friends, family, colleagues or with a school group, consider booking a group ticket to benefit from cheaper tickets, or if you fall into one of our eligible groups, you could save up to a third on the cost of train tickets with a railcard.

Holyhead is beautiful to visit all year round, but if you want to get the best chance of good weather, you should visit during the summer months when there's more chance of sunshine and warm weather. As it's a coastal town, Holyhead can be windy at any time of the year, though. There's plenty to explore in the town, with lots to do both inside and outdoors depending on the weather.

Tickets usually become available to book online and on the app 12 weeks in advance. You can sign up for Advance Ticket Alerts to be notified when tickets for your routes become available. Remember that the earlier you book, the more you save - and with an Advance ticket, you’ll always have a seat booking for stress-free travel, whatever your destination.

When you travel First Class with Avanti, all you need to do is sit back and relax - and let us take care of the rest. You’ll enjoy roomier seats with a guaranteed table, so you can catch up on emails, watch an episode of your favourite show, or get stuck into a good book. We also offer complimentary food and drink on board in First Class, served to you at your table by a dedicated host (subject to availability), with a carefully chosen menu featuring suppliers local to our routes. And if you’re departing from or arriving at one of our stations with a First Class Lounge, you can take advantage of it to enjoy snacks, refreshments, comfortable seating and free, fast Wi-Fi.