ULTIMATE South Wales Road Trip: Route + Guide
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Going on a Wales road trip? You lucky thing! Use this guide to help you plan your Wales road trip itinerary and have a Welsh road trip of a lifetime! Welsh cakes. Vast green valleys. Long, winding roads. Sheep. Sheep, and erm, more sheep (you’ll get used to the baa’ing quickly, I promise).
Visiting South Wales is one of the best things to do when visiting the UK, and definitely one of the prettiest. Depending on distance, you can do this South Wales road trip route in as little as 2-3 days. Wales is one of the cheapest countries to visit in the UK, and an epic South Wales road trip can be done within a friendly budget!
If you want to see more of the country and head to north Wales as well, I’d recommend budgeting for at least 5-6 days. As this Wales road trip itinerary is for less than a week, it only focuses on south Wales.
This Wales road trip route can be altered and changed to suit your needs. It doesn’t require too much driving (around 6 hours spread across 3 days) and covers around 320 miles. Throughout this post, I have included handy resources and links for your road trip planning, as well as the best companies for car rentals and accommodation.
Other UK posts:
- 12 Easy Walks in the Lake District With AMAZING Views!
- Lake District Solo Travel: Ultimate Guide
- Getting Around the Lake District Without a Car FULL GUIDE
- BEST Walks from Ambleside, Lake District
A South Wales Road Trip: A Summary
Wales is a country in the United Kingdom which borders England. It’s the second smallest country in the UK (after Northern Ireland), and is known for its beautiful countryside views and sandy coastlines.
With six major cities, Cardiff is the capital, and it attracts thousands of tourists each year for its history, nightlife and abundance of green space and parks. In fact, it has the greenest space out of any of the UK cities. Whilst the main language in Wales is English, some locals will speak Welsh. On your road trip, you’ll notice road signs are written in both Welsh and English!
On this South Wales road trip, you will be able to experience a glimpse of what Wales has to offer. Whilst less than a week is never enough to get to know a country properly, this South Wales road trip is enough to give you a taste and leave you wanting more Welsh paradise.
Where to stay on your Wales Road Trip
Looking for the best places to stay on your Wales road trip? These are some of the best hostels and Airbnbs that I recommend.
- Barry Island: I recommend this hostel for solo backpackers or this apartment for couples and groups.
- Pembrokeshire: I recommend this apartment for solo travellers, couples and groups.
- Mumbles: I recommend this cottage for solo backpackers or this apartment for couples and groups.
- Tenby: I recommend this cottage for solo backpackers or this apartment for couples and groups.
- Hay-On-Wye: I recommend this hostel for solo backpackers or this apartment for couples and groups.
- Brecon Beacons: I recommend this hostel for solo backpackers or this apartment for couples and groups.
- Cardiff: I recommend this hostel for solo backpackers, or this apartment for couples and groups.
What areas does South Wales include?
In this itinerary, we stick to South Wales only. This is to keep driving distances short and to maximise your time enjoying and experiencing each new location. Whilst we don’t visit every South Wales town or village, we visit some of the best!
South Wales Road Trip: Route and Itinerary
⏰ Duration: 3-5 days
🏴 Locations in Wales: Barry > Cardiff > Brecon Beacons > Hay-on-Wye > Mumbles > Tenby > Pembrokeshire
This South Wales road trip is perfect for first-timers in the country, as we visit a few different landscapes and Welsh attractions. Whilst most travellers will start in Cardiff, you can also add the town of Barry to your list if you are a big Gavin and Stacey fan.
NOTE: This South Wales road trip does not include Snowdonia National Park. If you want to visit Snowdonia National Park, you can plan a different North Wales route with some of the following locations included, if you have time to do so. Not sure if you want to visit Snowdonia? You can check out an epic Snowdonia guide here!
Renting a car for a Wales road trip
If you can, take a car to get around Wales. If you only have a short amount of time, you don’t want to be spending hours waiting for public transport. Don’t have a car? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world. Be sure to pre-book your car rental before arriving in the country to avoid disappointment!
➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!
Driving in Wales Tips
- Drivers from non-EU countries need a valid International Driving permit. and you must have at least 3rd-party insurance on your vehicle.
- Wales drives on the left-hand side.
- If you’re not familiar with driving in the UK, be sure to check out some general road rules before you set off.
- Stay safe whilst following GPS by using a phone holder for your car. The phone holder will ensure you can follow directions hands-free.
- Don’t be alarmed when you see all of the road signs are in Welsh! Yes, that’s not English! Usually, the English words are underneath, but if in doubt, use Google Maps!
- Cash is still used for parking in Wales. We found a lot of the time we couldn’t pay with our card in car parks. Make sure you have pound coins (Welsh currency is GBP (Sterling).
- Your signal may dip in and out in the Welsh countryside. I recommend getting an eSIM (if you’re from overseas) to get mobile data across the country.
- Most drivers in the UK are sensible and follow the rules. Seatbelts are mandatory and you will be stopped and fined for not using one. Traffic lights are followed religiously.
➡ Need to hire a car in Wales? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! 🚗 LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!
When’s the best time of year for a Wales road trip?
Knowing when to take your Wales road trip is really down to what kind of weather you want. Welsh weather is similar to the rest of the UK, with mild summers and cold winters.
☀️ If you’re interested in sunbathing on the beach and wearing a bikini, head to Wales during the summer months of June-August. These are generally Wales’ hottest months, but there’s no guarantee. Temperatures in these months can still drop and of course, we will still have some rain (it is the UK!)
🍂 Autumn temperatures in Wales fall between September-early November. If you’re looking for those aesthetic autumnal colours, your best bet is to take a Wales road trip during these months.
🌸 Spring in Wales usually begins in late March and is until May. Temperatures are beginning to rise and there is less rain than in the winter months. Pink blossom trees are blooming and the fields are coated in daffodils.
❄️ If you’re a winter baby and fancy wrapping up warm in your scarf and gloves, head to Wales during November-February. It may not get as cold as Finland, but the cold sea air and the low temperatures still require you to add lots of layers!
Best South Wales road trip destinations
1) Barry Island
Head to Barry Island first on your south Wales road trip route for a traditional English seaside town experience. Pick up some famous Barry fish and chips, enjoy some classic arcade games and build sandcastles on the beach.
Backpacker budget activities in Barry Island:
- Eat fish and chips along the coast
- Play arcade games
- Take a photo in the arches, where Gavin and Stacey was filmed
- Walk around the fairground
- Buy an ice cream
- Sit on the beach walls and enjoy the views
➡ Need somewhere to stay in Barry Island? I recommend this hostel for solo backpackers or this apartment for couples and groups.
2) Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales and is worth planning into your Wales itinerary. Have a walk around Cardiff Bay or Cardiff Castle, and head to the high street in the evening for the nightlife.
If you fancy having a drink, book some accommodation for the night or park up your van somewhere quiet. Did you know it’s possible to have a day trip from London to Cardiff?! Take a look at this epic Cardiff to London itinerary!
Budget backpacker activities in Cardiff:
- Visit Cardiff Castle, a 2000 year old historical site
- Explore the Principality Stadium, which is home to the Welsh national rugby team. Go on a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium and find out all there is to know about Welsh rugby.
- Visit Bute Park located in the heart of Cardiff. Have a picnic, take a walk or read your book in the pretty gardens.
- Drink in one of Cardiff’s cheap bars and clubs
- Go window shopping or actual shopping at Cardiff Market
➡ Need somewhere to stay in Cardiff? I recommend this hostel for solo backpackers, or this apartment for couples and groups.
3) The Brecon Beacons National Park
One of the most well-known areas and one of my favourite place in Wales is the Brecon Beacons National Park. If you’re looking for scenic hikes, long walks and iconic skylines, you’ll want to plan in a day or two for the Brecon Beacons.
Free and budget activities in the Brecon Beacons:
- Hiking the 886m Pen Y Fan, which is a well-known SAS training ground that has views across south and mid-Wales.
- Doing the beautiful Four Waterfalls walk, a circular woodland walk that takes a couple of hours
- Stop off at villages like Brecon and Crickhowell for a coffee and a slice of cake
- Go to the Visitor’s Centre to learn more about the local area
- Take a wild swim
- Walk around the acres of national park and take in the views
- Window shop in the small, independently owned stores
➡ Need somewhere to stay in the Brecon Beacons? I recommend this hostel for solo backpackers, or this apartment for couples and groups.
4) Hay-on-Wye
In the North of the Beacons national park, you’ll find a small village called Hay-On-Wye, known as the “Town of Books”. It’s one of the prettiest villages in the south of Wales and is a fun stop-off on your road trip if you’re into literature! With over twenty bookstores and book-themed cafes, you can spend the day losing yourself in your imagination.
Free and budget activities in Hay-On-Wye:
- Visit Hay Castle, a 13th-century building on the banks of the River Wye.
- Browse the town’s independent shops
- Go for a walk or bike ride in the surrounding countryside – the countryside around Hay-on-Wye is stunning!
- Sample some local food and drink in some of Hay-on-Wye’s best locally owned restaurants and bars.
➡ Need somewhere to stay in Hay-On-Wye? I recommend this hostel for solo backpackers, or this apartment for couples and groups.
5) Mumbles
The next leg will be the drive to start your Pembrokeshire road trip. En route, stop off at Mumbles, a quaint seaside town with colourful shops and cafes. There’s also a lighthouse and pier for you to enjoy on the beach!
Mumbles has some delicious fish and chip stalls along the seafront, as well as well-known ice cream stands and the atmosphere of a traditional British seaside. Treat yourself to a chippy lunch for under £5 ($6) and look out onto Swansea Bay (and spend half of your time making sure the seagulls don’t eat your chips).
Free and budget activities in Mumbles:
- Stroll along the pier and take photos of the Oystermouth Lighthouse
- Sample the local ice cream – Joe’s Ice Cream Parlour has over 30 flavours!
- Visit Swansea Bay, just a short drive from Mumbles where you can swim in the sea and sunbathe on the beach!
➡ Need somewhere to stay in Mumbles? I recommend this cottage for solo backpackers or this apartment for couples and groups.
6) Tenby
Tenby is often referred to as one of Wales’ best seaside towns. Home of Tenby Harbour, you can try fishing, take a boat trip or just relax and sunbathe on the sandy Tenby beach. Head beyond the beach to the pastel-coloured houses for an Insta-worthy photoshoot, or rent a traditional English deck chair to sit and admire the coastline.
You can base yourself here to explore more of Pembrokeshire or continue on other parts of the national park, as detailed in the next section of this post.
Free and budget activities in Tenby:
- Eat fish and chips and ice cream along the coastline like
- Swim in the sea or sunbathe on the beach
- Go fishing
- Take photos with the colourful beach houses
- Enjoy a pint at a local pub
➡ Need somewhere to stay in Tenby? I recommend this cottage for solo backpackers or this apartment for couples and groups.
7) Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
The final part of this Wales road trip is for you to explore more of Pembrokeshire. Pembrokeshire National Park is made up of 240 square miles of coast, wildlife and history. If you enjoy the outdoors, you can find something new to discover around every corner, with the famous Coastal walk, or a visit to Carew Castle.
“From relaxing strolls and sunset spotting, to high-octane hobbies like surfing and coasteering, you can find your happy place on the Pembrokeshire Coast.” – Pembrokeshire Coast website
Popular Pembrokeshire Coast locations include Saundersfoot, Manorbier Beach, Church Door Cove, and Barafundle Bay. If you have time to spare, I’d recommend staying a few extra days in Pembrokeshire to really explore the area and enjoy it!
Free and budget activities in Pembrokeshire:
- Walk part of the 186-mile Coastal Path with views of the sea and surrounding cliffs
- Visit St David’s Cathedral, which is named after Wales’ patron saint. Climb to the top of the bell tower for the best views!
- Take a surfing lesson
- Spot wildlife from the cliffs. You may even see a dolphin or two!
➡ Need somewhere to stay in Pembrokeshire? I recommend this apartment for solo travellers, couples and groups.
Bucket list experiences in Wales
When on your South Wales road trip, try to plan in as many bucket list experiences as possible! Here are some of the best actvities in Wales that you can do whilst on your road trip.
☀️ Explore the stunning Welsh coastline, with its sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and quaint towns.
🗻Visit Snowdonia National Park and hike to the top of Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales.
🌃 Discover the charming city of Cardiff, with its medieval castle, lively bars and world-class shopping.
🏰 Journey through Wales’s rich history at one of its many museums and historic sites.
🌳 Experience the natural beauty of Wales, from its rugged mountains to its pristine lakes.
🐬 Spot dolphins at Cardigan Bay.
🐦 Spot Puffins on Skomer Island (they are adorable)
With so much to see and do, Wales is the perfect destination for an unforgettable UK road trip!
A Wales Road Trip: FAQs
1) How many days should I spend in Wales?
If you’re planning on seeing the whole of Wales, I recommend 5-7 days. However, if you’re only focusing on either north or south Wales, 3-5 days is sufficient.
2) How many miles long is Wales?
The entire country stretches about 130 miles (210km) north to south, and 90 miles (145km) east-west. So, you could easily drive from one end of Wales to the other in a day. Of course, if you want to really see everything that Wales has to offer, you’ll need to take your time and explore at your own pace. But, even if you only have a few days to spare, or even 1 day in Wales, it’s still worth a visit.
3) How long does it take to drive from one end of Wales to the other?
Four hours (without stopping, and without being stuck behind a tractor). There isn’t a motorway connecting North and South Wales, but you can drive through the middle along the A470 which should take about 4 hours.
4) Is North or South Wales prettier?
North and South Wales offer different types of scenery, both beautiful in their own right. If you prefer dramatic mountain views, North Wales may be better suited for landscapes of Snowdonia and adventurous activities.
But if you prefer epic coastlines and sandy beaches, South Wales may be prettier to you, as Pembrokeshire has some of the most beautiful coastlines in the whole of the UK.
5) How can I spend 3 days in Wales?
If you only have 3 days to spare for a Wales road trip, I recommend:
- Visiting Cardiff, the capital city
- Hiring a car and driving through some of Wales’ small villages
- Taking a walk in the Brecon Beacons National Park
- Heading to Pembrokeshire to see the epic coastlines
6) Is Wales cheaper than England?
Yes. It’s much cheaper to backpack and travel to Wales than it is in England! In fact, the cost of living in Wales is 15% cheaper than in England. Whilst travelling Wales, the cost of food, transport, accommodation and activities are cheaper in Wales than they are in England, making it the perfect budget backpacker destination!
7) What is the prettiest place in Wales?
It’s hard to narrow down the prettiest place in Wales, so here are some of the most beautiful and highly rated:
- Tenby, Pembrokeshire
- Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
- Brecon Beacons
- Snowdonia National Park
- Caerphilly town
8) What should I pack for a Wales road trip?
So, what should you pack for your Wales road trip? Here are a few things that you might not have thought of:
- A lightweight waterproof jacket
- Hiking boots (that won’t slip)
- An umbrella
- A phone holder to be hands-free in the car
- Speakers
- A waterproof day bag
- A waterproof phone case
- A portable charger
- Lots of layers
- A GoPro for waterproof camera footage
- A waterproof backpack cover
- A chilly bottle to keep your water at a drinkable temperature
- A Dry Robe
- As well as using bug spray, we have midge repellent wristbands.
9) Do I need a car to visit Wales?
If you’re visiting Wales and are short on time, I strongly recommend hiring a car. If you’re looking to hire a car in Wales, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in the UK now!
8) Do I need a SIM card to visit Wales?
If you’re not from the UK, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive.
ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are eSIMs available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
A South Wales Road Trip: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about planning a South Wales road trip. When you’re planning a trip to Wales, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Wales content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
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MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
Hello Jennie…!!
Loved your blog…!! Amazing little details & beautiful pictures, got me hooked right away!!
My partner & I are looking to travel to Wales in the Middle of June & intend to do a Road Trip for 5 Nights starting & ending in Cardiff. We also wish to stay in different places each night & cover Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire & any other awesome places in between.
Can you please help out in planning the trip with the routes, stops & must visit places in the road trip?
Will be extremely grateful for your advice..!!
PS: Already done & dusted an epic 10 day road trip of Scotland & England starting in Glasgow & ending in London in 2017.. so have a fair idea of driving in the UK..
Thanks,
Saurabh
Fellow Travel Junkie from India
Wow, I really appreciate your comment Saurabh! I’m so glad you have found it enjoyable to read and helpful. Yes of course I can help you, if you contact me on jennie@jenniewanders.com, we can discuss it a bit further 🙂