Travelling by train

Timetable information

Timetables for all trains to and from Shrewsbury Station can be downloaded from this website by following the Shrewsbury Rail Timetables link on this page. Alternatively you can get the latest timetable information for services throughout Shropshire and the rest of the UK by contacting the following organisations.

• National Rail Enquiries: for impartial train times and fares for all train operators 24 hours daily telephone: 08457 48 49 50, Welsh language telephone: 0845 60 40 500, textphone 0845 60 50 600.
• Traveline (bus and rail information): 0871 200 2233 - 7am to 10.30pm daily.

Other useful rail contacts:

• Arriva Trains Wales: telephone 0845 6061 660.
• London Midland: telephone 0121 634 2040.
• Wrexham & Shropshire: telephone 0845 260 5900
• Virgin Trains: telephone 0845 000 8000.
• Cross Country: telephone 0870 010 0084.
• Network Rail: telephone 08457 11 41 41 (not for times, fares, or current running).

The websites of most train operators also provide a journey planner service, and will allow users to obtain fares details and to book tickets in advance. Follow the links on this page to their websites.

Trains to and from Shropshire

Trains are operated by Arriva Trains Wales on the following routes;

• Manchester-Crewe-Shrewsbury-Ludlow-Hereford-Cardiff; most of these services continue into South-West Wales.
• Birmingham International (for Airport and NEC) - Birmingham New Street - Wolverhampton - Shrewsbury - Wrexham - Chester - North Wales Coast - Holyhead.
• Birmingham International (for Airport and NEC) - Birmingham New Street - Wolverhampton - Shrewsbury - Machynlleth - Aberystwyth; some of these services continue along, or provide connections to the Cambrian Coast, to Barmouth, Towyn, Porthmadog, and Pwllheli.
• Cardiff-Hereford-Ludlow-Shrewsbury-Wrexham-Chester-North Wales Coast - Holyhead.
• The Heart of Wales line - from Shrewsbury to Knighton, Llandrindod Wells, Llandeilo, Llanelli and Swansea. 120 miles, making up one of the most scenic rail lines in the country.

London Midland also operate services on this route.

• Shrewsbury - Wolverhampton - Birmingham; providing intermediate stops at stations in the east of the county.

Direct trains to London

The direct service to London, operated by Wrexham and Shropshire, commenced in April 2008.

This service, presently four trains each way Mondays to Saturdays and three on Sundays, connects Shropshire directly to London’s Marylebone station without having to change trains.

Most Trains start at Wrexham, calling at Ruabon, Chirk, Gobowen and Shrewsbury. After leaving Shrewsbury, trains call at Wellington, Telford Central, Cosford and Wolverhampton, then at Tame Bridge in the West Midlands. They also call at Banbury, where connections can be made to a variety of destinations in the South and South West of England.

Wrexham and Shropshire’s trains are currently being refitted to exacting standards by a specialist firm in Stoke-on-Trent. The refurbished trains when completed this summer, will offer a modern, comfortable travelling environment in both first and standard class for both business and leisure travellers - and most of the seats will line up with the windows! In the meantime, W&S are hiring top-quality trains for their current operation, which still permit a very high level of customer service and comfort.

Normal rail tickets to London and intermediate stations are valid on these services, but Wrexham and Shropshire also offer a special range of value-for-money fares to and from London on their own services. Railcard discounts are also valid on their services. For details of these prices, how and where you can buy the tickets, and for more information about Wrexham and Shropshire, please see their website via the link on this page.

Buying your ticket

A wide variety of tickets to all rail destinations are available at varying prices to suit your needs.

For longer journeys, it can often be cheaper to buy your tickets in advance. Buy as soon as possible to take advantage of any special offers available.

Passengers starting their journeys at Shrewsbury station must buy a ticket before joining the train. Automatic ticket barriers are now in operation at this station.

Passengers using unstaffed stations may buy the full range of tickets from the conductor on the train.

The ticket office at Shrewsbury is open for sales of all types of tickets for any rail journey in the UK. There is also a travel centre available at the station for general and more complicated enquiries.
Opening hours are:
Ticket office - 5.30am to 10pm from Monday to Saturday and 7.30am to 8.30pm on Sunday.
Travel centre - 9.35am to 4pm from Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays.

To save time queueing, a self-service ticket machine is available at Shrewsbury station. The touch screen contains details and fares for most normal journeys, although you may still have to go to the booking office or travel centre for your more specialist requirements.

You may also buy tickets from certain high-street travel agencies, and from various websites.

You may also contact one of the four independent booking offices on stations within this area:

Gobowen Station
Severn-Dee Travel
The Railway Station
Gobowen, Oswestry, SY11 3JS
Open: 6.50am to 4.15pm Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 12.30pm Saturday
Tel: 01691 681010
Fax: 01691 684994
e-mail: sra@btconnect.com

Ludlow Station
Ludlow Station Travel
The Railway Station
Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 2PQ
Proprietor: Mr Francis Dunn
Open: 6.10am to 5.15pm from Monday to Friday and 6.10am to 2.15pm on Saturday.
Tel: 01584 877090
Fax: 01584 877582

Llandrindod Wells Station
The Heart of Wales Travel Centre,
Station Crescent, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 5BB
Proprietor: Mr Kelsham Hanna
Open: 6.45am to 4pm from Monday to Friday and 6.45am to 12pm on Saturday.
Tel: 01597 822053
Fax: 01597 823609

Newtown (Powys) Station
Newtown Station Travel
Newtown, Powys, SY16 1BP
Proprietor: Mr Peter Compton
Open: 8.10am to 2.45pm from Monday to Friday* and 8.10am to 12.45pm on Saturday.
(*closed for lunch 1pm to 1.30pm)
e-mail: (preferred) newtownstation@btclick.com

Tickets which could save you money:
PlusBus
If you are travelling to larger towns and cities, a PlusBus ticket is your best buy. For a small add-on fee, it includes your train travel and unlimited travel on most bus services in the urban bus network at your destination. PlusBus tickets are available for one day (for your arrival or departure day), with season tickets for seven days, a month, three months and a year. PlusBus tickets are now available for Shrewsbury.

For full details of the PlusBus scheme, and the towns and cities served follow the link on this page.

GroupSave

Small groups travelling together can often save money by asking for a "Group Save" ticket.

On services operated by London Midland, three or four adults can travel for the price of just two.
On services operated by Arriva Trains Wales, small groups of between three and nine persons can all get a 25% discount on the fare.
All you have to do is travel together for both the outward and the return journeys.

Group Save tickets are generally available wherever a cheap day ticket is valid. You can buy Group Save tickets at any staffed station, or from the conductor on the train if you are travelling from any other station.

Want to make a difference?
If you have suggestions to improve the service, want to care for your local station, or meet with other rail users in your area, then why not join one of the many rail user groups? All lines from Shrewsbury have active groups, some individual stations even have their own group. Regular meetings are held, and some groups even organise outings for members and friends. Many innovations and improvements to services and facilities have resulted from work done by these groups.

Contact details are shown below; ask for a copy of their latest newsletter.

Crewe and Shrewsbury Passengers Association
John Cresswell, Chairman, 39 Coton Hill, Shrewsbury SY1 2DY

Shrewsbury to Chester Rail Users Association
Martin Evans, Chairman, c/o Severn-Dee Travel Ltd, The Railway Station, Gobowen, SY11 3JS

Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth Rail Passengers Association
G Marston, Chairman, 64 Churchill Drive, Barnfields, Newtown, Powys SY16 2LH

Heart of Wales Line Travellers Association
Gillian Wright, Chair, Ty Glandwr, Cynghordy, Llandovery, Carms. SA20 0LN

Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton Rail Users Association
G F Atkinson, President, Chevin, Kemberton, Shifnal, Shrops. TF11 9LW

Church Stretton and District Rail Users Association
John Corfield, Publicity Officer, Woodfield, Longhills Road, Church Stretton, SY6 6DS

Craven Arms Rail Users Association
Richard Watkins, Secretary, 4 Park Lane, Craven Arms SY7 9AB

Ludlow Rail Users
Reg Banks, Chairman, 49 Shelsley Way, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 3UZ

Back to top