Trains from London Paddington to Swansea from £21.75

Heading out from the capital to Wales? Our guide to the London Paddington to Swansea train will get you up to speed on this popular journey. Whether you're heading to Wales's second city for business or pleasure, we'll show you how to use our journey planner to bag the cheapest tickets, plus information on the journey itself and several ideas on how to spend your time in this iconic seaside city.

How much is a train ticket from London Paddington to Swansea?

You can get tickets for the London Paddington to Swansea train for as little as £21.75. Prices can vary significantly, depending on a few factors.

It's worth noting that it's almost always cheaper to buy train tickets online rather than on the day at the station. Train operators release tickets 12 weeks in advance, so there's plenty of opportunity to plan and save on your next trip.

It's also worth avoiding peak time travel, especially if you are travelling for leisure. Peak trains are the most in demand, so they usually cost more.

Put your travel plans into our Journey Planner and you'll instantly see all the options available, which of them is the cheapest, and our recommendation of which train you should catch.

How long is the journey from Paddington to Swansea?

The fastest London Paddington to Swansea train duration is just 2h 39m. Most services might take a few minutes longer, though, and trains that stop more frequently can add around an hour to the journey.

If you want to discover the London Paddington to Swansea train times for the time of day you intend to travel, check them on our Journey Planner. It will give you full details of all the trains scheduled for your date and time of travel.

Is Swansea close to London?

Swansea cannot reasonably be described as close to London, but the two cities have fast and efficient train links, bringing them closer than ever. The London Paddington to Swansea train stops at various stations on its journey, but it varies depending on the particular service. Common stops include Reading, Swindon, Bristol Parkway, Newport, Cardiff Central, Bridgend, Port Talbot Parkway and Neath.

Where do trains go from Swansea?

There are plenty of onward connections from Swansea. Among many others, services run westwards to Fishguard Harbour, northwards to Manchester Piccadilly, and there is a frequent train back along the line to Cardiff. If you are interested in taking this route from Paddington, though, it's probably easier to just get off the main line train at Cardiff. Check the London Paddington to Swansea train timetable by searching our Journey Planner to make sure your chosen train stops at Cardiff.

If you'd like to find out more about London Paddington to Swansea train arrivals and departures, then check out our live arrivals and departures page. Input your chosen station (in this case, Swansea) and it will give you an instant update on how trains are currently running to or from that station.

What is the London Paddington to Swansea train like?

Trains on the London Paddington to Swansea route are run by Great Western Railway. This operator runs modern Class 800 trains. They meet the current accessibility requirements and have bookable cycle spaces on board. Plus, there's plenty of room for luggage, both overhead and in the storage areas at the end of most coaches.

GWR offers a refreshments trolley travelling throughout the train, so you can buy any food and drink you need as it passes along. In First Class, drinks and snacks are complimentary on most daytime services.

Find out more about GWR First Class here.

What is Swansea like?

Swansea is a busy Welsh city, second only in stature to Cardiff. That means there are plenty of fun and informative activities to get stuck into on a day trip or a longer stay alike. We've pulled together a few ideas to give you a bit of inspiration.

A visit to the city has to begin with a wander along the famous seafront at Swansea Bay. Made up of several separate beaches, probably the most well-known is Mumbles Beach. The village of Mumbles is famous for its Italian heritage ice cream parlours. It's practically essential to enjoy a cone while you're there!

Wales has, for many years, been a hotbed of industry, and Swansea's National Waterfront Museum documents this history in the appropriate location of the formerly industrial Swansea Bay. The museum prides itself on being modern and interactive, so it's a place that the whole family will enjoy.

From industry to poetry, Dylan Thomas is almost certainly Wales's most famous poet, and there is a museum in Swansea paying homage to the great mind. There are events throughout the year, as well as a permanent collection that explores how he shaped poetry and rose to be one of Wales's literary heroes.

While in Swansea, a visit to the Clyne Gardens is a must. The landscaped park is outside the main city, but a bus ride gets you there easily. Spread over 19 hectares and incredibly well-kept, the gardens were created in the 1860s and feature thousands of plants. The largest Magnolia tree in Britain can be found here, and the Japanese Pond is another highlight.

One of the oddest plants is to be found in the bog garden. Known as Elephant Rhubarb, this particular variety of plant grows enormous leaves that look a lot like edible rhubarb. Sadly, they are nothing of the sort, so no nibbling! These plants have recently been found to be highly invasive, so new plantings are now banned. See it while you can...

Back in town, and a real treat for the kids is to head to Plantasia Tropical Zoo. Located, bizarrely, in a retail park, this popular attraction is a fully-fledged zoo that opened its doors in 1990. The imposing glass pyramid houses meerkats, tarantulas, piranhas, bearded dragons and a Burmese python, among others. There are also plenty of tropical plants that belong in the animals' natural habitat. You can even enjoy a bit of refreshment at the on-site café before heading back to the station to catch the train again!