By car, train or bus — Harlech is easier to reach than you might think
Harlech is in Gwynedd, on the west coast of North Wales. The postcode for the town centre and castle is LL46 2YH. Here’s how to get here by every mode of transport.
From the A55 North Wales Expressway, take the A470 south at Junction 12 (Llandudno Junction) through Betws-y-Coed (27 miles), continuing via Blaenau Ffestiniog to join the A496 coast road south to Harlech.
From the south, follow the A487 to Machynlleth then the A493/A496 along the Cardigan Bay coast. Barmouth is 11 miles south of Harlech on the A496; Porthmadog is 9 miles north.
Sat nav: LL46 2YH
Harlech Station is served by the Cambrian Coast Line, which runs between Pwllheli and Machynlleth (connecting to Shrewsbury and Birmingham). Trains are operated by Transport for Wales.
The station is at the bottom of the hill below the town — the castle is a steep 10-minute walk uphill. Taxis are usually available at the station.
The TrawsCymru T2 service connects Harlech with Barmouth (south) and Porthmadog (north), linking to onward services across North Wales.
TrawsCymru Day Tickets allow unlimited travel on services across Wales and can be bought via the TrawsCymru app or from the driver.
There is a public car park below the castle on Ffordd Pen Llech. Additional roadside parking is available on the high street and in the lower town near the beach access road.
Parking at Harlech Beach is via the car park at the end of Ffordd y Mor, off the B4573.
| Destination | Distance | Approx. Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Porthmadog | 9 miles | 20 mins |
| Barmouth | 11 miles | 25 mins |
| Portmeirion | 12 miles | 25 mins |
| Betws-y-Coed | 27 miles | 50 mins |
| Caernarfon | 28 miles | 55 mins |
| Shrewsbury (for M54/M6) | 75 miles | 1 hr 50 mins |