‘Rover and out’ and about

Wayfarer

This may be purchased at many stations, PayPoint outlets in the area (where you have to specify TfGM Wayfarer), and from guards on trains if the station at which you joined is unstaffed.

Bounded by Littleborough, Greenfield, Hadfield/Glossop, Grindleford, Buxton, Macclesfield, Holmes Chapel, Northwich, Warrington Central, Warrington Bank Quay via Earlestown, Bryn, Orrell, Parbold, Chorley and Darwen. Also includes all of Manchester Metrolink, plus buses in an extended area from Accrington and Burnley in the north to Ashbourne in the south. From 0930 (any time on buses).

1 day - A: £13.00; Senior Citizen (no railcard required): £8; C: £6.50; Family (up to 2 adults + 2 children): £26.

 

WALES

• See also the Coast & Peaks, Freedom of the South West and Freedom of Severn & Solent Rovers, all of which enter Wales.

 

• Note a special restriction applies to all the following Rovers and Rangers in Wales (except for the First Bus & Rail Card for South Wales) - that travel must be completed by midnight each day.

 

Explore Wales Flexipass

All stations in Wales plus extensions into England bounded by Shotton-Crewe-Abergavenny and Chepstow-Gloucester. Offers 50% off the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway and 20% off the Dean Forest, Fairbourne, Gwili, Llanberis Lake, Talyllyn and Vale of Rheidol Railways. 

Free travel on the majority of bus operators’ services in Wales. All free bus travel and other discounted facilities are available on ANY day in the chosen period, even if that day is not selected for rail travel. From 0930, but no restriction between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog, Shrewsbury and Swansea on Heart of Wales services, west of Carmarthen, Aberystwyth-Pwllheli or Wrexham Central-Bidston. No restriction on buses.

Any 4 days in 8 - A: £99; R: £65.35; C: £49.50

 

Explore North & Mid-Wales Flexi Rover

Bounded by Holyhead-Crewe-Shrewsbury-Pwllheli and the coast, plus Llandudno-Llandudno Junction and Dovey Junction-Aberystwyth. Offers 50% off the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway and 20% off the Fairbourne, Llanberis Lake, Talyllyn and Vale of Rheidol railways. 

Also offers free travel on the majority of bus operators’ services in the area, including many that extend outside the area. All free bus travel and other discounted facilities are available on ANY day in the chosen period, even if that day is not selected for rail travel. From 0930, but no restriction between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog or Aberystwyth-Pwllheli. No restriction on buses.

Any 4 days in 8 - A: £69; R: £45.55; C: £34.50.

 

North Wales Rovers

North Wales/Chester is divided into eight zones roughly matching counties, and day Rovers give unrestricted bus and train travel for £13 (two adjacent zones) and £22 (three zones). Children half-price.

There is an All-Zone version which adds Machynlleth-Gobowen, offers 50% off the Ffestiniog Railway and the Welsh Highland Railway, and has a discount for railcard-holders:

1 day - A: £38; R: £25.30; C: £19.

 

Ffestiniog Round Robin

Bounded by Porthmadog-Shrewsbury-Crewe-Blaenau Ffestiniog, it offers a single trip from any station to either Porthmadog/Minffordd or Blaenau Ffestiniog, a single trip on the Ffestiniog Railway and return to the original station.

1 day - A: £39; R: £25.75; accompanied C: £19.50; Family (up to 2 adults + 2 children): £75.

Extension tickets are available allowing travel from Birmingham via Shrewsbury and Manchester or Liverpool (via Crewe or Chester):

1 day - A: £44; R: £29.05; accompanied C: £22; Family (up to 2 adults + 2 children): £86.

 

Explore Cambrian Coast Day Ranger

Machynlleth-Aberystwyth/Pwllheli. From 0915.

1 day - A: £12.50; R (inc Forces): £8.25; accompanied C: £6.25; Family (up to 2 adults + 2 children): £21.

 

Heart of Wales Circular Day Ranger

Shrewsbury-Llandrindod Wells-Swansea-Newport-Shrewsbury. One circular journey only, starting at any station and going clockwise or anti-clockwise.

1 day - A: £39; R (inc Forces): £25.75; C: £19.50.

 

Explore South Wales Flexi Rover

Pembroke Dock/Milford Haven/Fishguard Harbour-Shrewsbury via Llandrindod Wells and Newport, plus Newport-Gloucester and all Cardiff Valleys services including Maesteg, Llantwit Major and Ebbw Vale. Offers 20% off the Dean Forest and Gwili Railways. 

Also free travel on the majority of bus operators’ services in the area, including many that extend outside the area as far north as Aberystwyth. All free bus travel is available on ANY of the eight days. 

From 0930, but no restriction between Shrewsbury and Swansea on Heart of Wales services or west of Carmarthen. No restriction on buses.

Any 4 days in 8 - A: £69; R: £45.55; C: £34.50.

 

Explore West Wales Day Ranger

Carmarthen and all stations west thereof. From 0845.

1 day - A: £12.50; R: £8.30; C: £6.25.

 

Valley Lines Day Explorer

Maesteg-Cardiff Central via Pontyclun or Llantwit Major, plus Barry Island-Barry, Penarth-Grangetown and Cardiff Central-Treherbert/Merthyr Tydfil/Aberdare/Rhymney/Ebbw Vale. 

Includes the whole Stagecoach in South Wales and Thomas of Rhondda bus networks. From 0915, but no restriction on buses.

1 day - A: £12.50; C: £6.25. There is also a ‘Night Rider’ for £6.50 from 1830 (no child discount).

 

First Bus & Rail Card for South Wales

Newport-Carmarthen. GWR services only. Also available on First local bus services. From 0930, but no restriction on buses.

1 day - A: £10. Family (up to 2 adults + 3 children): £20. No child discount.

 

THE MIDLANDS

East Midlands Rover

Bounded by Cleethorpes-Scunthorpe-Sheffield-Derby-Stoke-on-Trent-Nuneaton-Coventry-Bletchley-Bedford-Leicester-Peterborough-Spalding-Skegness and the North Sea coast, plus Sheffield-New Mills Central, Belper-Matlock and Barton-on-Humber-Habrough. From 0900.

Any 3 days in 7 - A: £85.30; C/R: £56.30.

7 days - A: £111; C/R: £73.30.