Major city · United Kingdom
HolyheadCaergybi
Give Holyhead one night if you arrive by ferry or want South Stack and the coast path; otherwise pass through in an afternoon.
Holyhead is a ferry port on Holy Island, joined to Anglesey by road and rail, with a harbour station where trains meet the Dublin boats. The town itself is small and workaday; the reasons to stop are the coast, Holyhead Mountain and South Stack, plus the breakwater country park. Most travellers use it as a gateway to Ireland or as a base for western Anglesey.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (wind, rain, short days)
- Airports
- LPL · MAN · DUB
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Holyhead999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Holyhead, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA small, low-crime town; the real risks are coastal weather, cliff edges and thin evening transport.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 or 112 police, fire, ambulance · 111 NHS non-urgent · 101 police non-urgent (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLPL Liverpool John Lennon (About 2 h 30 min by road via the A55; rail connections via Chester).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable: station to town centre about 10 min, station to Newry Beach about 15 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£2.50–4 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
- BeerPint of beer£4–5.50 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, town to Trearddur Bay£10–15 (≈ US$14–20)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus single£2–4 (≈ US$3–6)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or lighthouse entry£0–8 (≈ US$0–11)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedDouble or twin room, a night, per room£95 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedDouble or twin room, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £80 (≈ US$110) · High £150 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LPL Liverpool John Lennon (About 2 h 30 min by road via the A55; rail connections via Chester) · MAN Manchester (About 2 h 45 min by road; rail via Chester or Crewe) · DUB Dublin (Reached by ferry from Holyhead, about 3 h 30 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Nov (17 rain days), driest May (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Holyhead: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
16 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
May
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
13 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
16 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
17 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable: station to town centre about 10 min, station to Newry Beach about 15 min. Buses run across Holy Island and Anglesey, but services are thin in the evening. A car makes South Stack, Trearddur Bay and the coast path far easier; taxis are limited, so book ahead for early ferries.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30–40 min by car
Bus or car to the RSPB reserve, then steps down to the lighthouse
Cliff paths and seabird colonies; check lighthouse opening before you go.
Trearddur Bay
goDoor to door: About 15 min by car
Bus or car along the coast road
Sandy beach and a couple of cafés; good for a half day.
Door to door: About 30–40 min
Train or A55 east
Mostly a sign and a shop; stop only if you are passing.
Door to door: About 45 min
Car via the A55 and Menai Bridge
Castle, pier and waterfront; a full half day.
Menai Bridge
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min
Train to Bangor then bus, or car
Strait views and the two bridges; combine with Bangor.
Door to door: About 30 min by train
Train to Rhosneigr then walk
Beaches and dunes on the west coast.
Door to door: About 30 min
Bus or car on the A55
Market town and admin centre; nothing you need on a short trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Harbour and station area
Walk to the ferry terminal and trains; best for one night with bags.
Newry Beach and the marina
Waterfront pubs and hotels, 10–15 min walk from the station.
Town centre (Market Street)
Shops, takeaways and bus stops; cheapest rooms, some noise.
Trearddur Bay and Holy Island west
Beach village 2 miles out; needs a car or taxi, quieter nights.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double or twin room1 × 1 night × £95 | £95 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £80 | £160 |
| Local bus day ticket2 × £6 | £12 |
| Fish and chips, one portion2 × £11 | £22 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £31 |
| Trip total≈ £170 per person per day, bed included | £340≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in pounds; ferry and long-distance rail excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | £2.50–4 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Fish and chips | £9–14 (≈ US$12–19) |
| Pint of beer | £4–5.50 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Local bus single | £2–4 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Taxi, town to Trearddur Bay | £10–15 (≈ US$14–20) |
| Museum or lighthouse entry | £0–8 (≈ US$0–11) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Many restaurants close on Sundays, especially at lunch: plan a pub or supermarket meal.
- Coastal paths and the South Stack cliffs are exposed: wind, spray and loose ground near the edge.
- Ferry and rail timetables change with the season; check before booking a tight connection.
- Mobile signal is patchy on parts of Holy Island and the mountain.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999 or 112
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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HolyheadCaergybi
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
I'r cyfeiriad hwn, os gwelwch yn ddaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999 or 112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Holyhead; the US embassy is in London and most others too. Consulates for Ireland and other countries: check Cardiff or Manchester.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Holyhead → Dublin ferry, foot passenger: about £35–60 (≈ US$50–80) one way, 3 h 30 min
- Taxi, station → Trearddur Bay: £10–15 (≈ US$14–20)
- Train Holyhead → Bangor: about £10–15 (≈ US$14–20), 30–40 min
Say or show
- Helo — Hello (HEH-lo)
- Diolch — Thank you (DEE-olch)
- Os gwelwch yn dda — Please (os GWEL-ookh un thah)
- Ble mae'r orsaf? — Where is the station? (bleh mire OR-sav)
- Faint yw e? — How much is it? (fynt yoo eh)
- Hwyl fawr — Goodbye (hooil vower)
Welsh is widely spoken in Anglesey; English works everywhere.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Holyhead. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (wind, rain, short days) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-day contract: foot-passenger check-in cutoffs, station-to-terminal walk, taxi fallback for early sailings.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: station and harbour, town centre, Newry Beach and marina, Breakwater Country Park.
- Place pages with verified access notes (South Stack, Holyhead Mountain, breakwater) and eat pages with Sunday closures.
- Weather and swell fixtures so coastal days can be flagged green, amber or red.
Sources
- officialHolyhead Town Council
- officialTransport for Wales
- officialNational Rail — Holyhead station
- officialIrish Ferries
- officialStena Line
- officialAnglesey County Council — Breakwater Country Park
- officialHolyhead Maritime Museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Holyhead, revision 5273239 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Holyhead
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