Major city · United Kingdom
Portmeirion
Go for one day, not a stay: the village is a 2–3 hour walk-through. Sleep in Porthmadog or Harlech and arrive at opening.
Portmeirion is a small Italianate village built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis on his own peninsula between 1925 and 1975, run as a visitor attraction and hotel rather than a lived-in village. Day guests pay admission and walk it in a couple of hours; hotel guests get the place after the gates close. It is the setting of the 1960s TV series The Prisoner, which is why many people come.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jul–Aug school holidays (busiest), Dec–Feb (many closures)
- Airports
- MAN · LPL
- Nights
- 0–1
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
Emergency numbers for Portmeirion999 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- Police, fire, ambulance (EU number)112
- NHS non-urgent advice111
- Police non-urgent101
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 Portmeirion, 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
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 112 police, fire, ambulance (eu number) · 111 NHS non-urgent advice
- 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.
- AirportcheckMAN Manchester (About 2 h 30 min by car; rail via Shrewsbury and Machynlleth is slower — check connections).
- Getting aroundEverything inside Portmeirion is on foot, including steep wooded trails and steps down to the shore; allow 2–3 hours.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in the village£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- BeerPint of beer in a nearby pub£4–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Porthmadog to Portmeirion£10–15 (≈ US$14–20) (2026 estimate)
- Museum or sight ticketAdmission, one adult£20 (≈ US$30) (2026 estimate)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per room£120 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedB&B double 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
- MAN Manchester (About 2 h 30 min by car; rail via Shrewsbury and Machynlleth is slower — check connections) · LPL Liverpool John Lennon (About 2 h 30 min by car; rail via Chester and Shrewsbury — check)
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
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Care
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Care
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Feb (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Nov (18 rain days), driest Jun (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Portmeirion: 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)
17 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
15 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
13 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
14 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
14 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
17 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
18 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
18 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
Everything inside Portmeirion is on foot, including steep wooded trails and steps down to the shore; allow 2–3 hours. Outside the village you need a car, the Cambrian Coast rail line, or bus 99B to Porthmadog (three runs a day, not Sundays — check the current timetable).
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 20 min
Bus 99B or 10 min by car
Base for beds and food; also the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland narrow-gauge railways.
Door to door: About 30–40 min
Car on the A496, or Cambrian Coast train to Harlech
Castle on a rock above the sea, plus a long beach.
Door to door: About 1 h
Cambrian Coast train from Minffordd
Estuary town with a beach and the Mawddach trail.
Door to door: About 45 min
Car on the A470
Stone town under Cadair Idris; good walking base.
Door to door: About 45 min
Car on the A487
Castle and walled town; combine with the north Wales coast.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Cambrian Coast train from Minffordd
Beach and estuary; a long half-day by rail.
Door to door: About 1 h
Car on the A487
Rail hub for Anglesey and the north; little to see in the city itself.
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.
Portmeirion village cottages
The only beds on site; expensive and booked far ahead. Guests get the village outside day-visitor hours.
Porthmadog
About 10 min by car or bus 99B; the widest choice of B&Bs, pubs and shops.
Harlech
About 25 min by car on the Cambrian Coast line; castle and beach, quieter.
Penrhyndeudraeth
Closest village to the entrance, about 5 min by car; limited beds.
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
| B&B double room1 × 1 night × £120 | £120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £80 | £160 |
| Admission, one adult2 × £20 · 2026 estimate — rises at peak times | £40 |
| Bus 99B return to Porthmadog2 × £6 · 2026 estimate | £12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £35 |
| Trip total≈ £194 per person per day, bed included | £387≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to the area excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in the village | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Lunch, café or self-service | £8–15 (≈ US$11–20) |
| Pint of beer in a nearby pub | £4–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Admission, one adult | £20 (≈ US$30) (2026 estimate) |
| Portmeirion pottery mug | £20–35 (≈ US$30–50) |
| Taxi Porthmadog to Portmeirion | £10–15 (≈ US$14–20) (2026 estimate) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Admission is charged per person and rises at peak times; book online in summer — check the official site for 2026 prices and opening dates.
- The village is not a normal village: shops, cafés and the hotel keep their own hours, and parts close out of season.
- Trails and the beach path are steep and uneven in places; wear shoes with grip.
- Mobile signal is patchy on the peninsula.
- If you rely on bus 99B, check the last return before you go in — it is a long walk back to Porthmadog.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police, fire, ambulance (EU number)
- 112
- NHS non-urgent advice
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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PortmeirionPortmeirion
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
I'r cyfeiriad hwn, os gwelwch yn ddaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- EU emergency number112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in north Wales; the US, Canadian, Australian and Irish embassies are in London. Consular help for most countries is in Cardiff or Manchester — check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Admission, one adult: £20 (≈ US$30), more at peak times (2026 estimate)
- Bus 99B Portmeirion → Porthmadog: three runs a day, not Sundays (check)
- Minffordd station → Portmeirion on foot: about 20 min
Say or show
- Helo — Hello (HEH-loh)
- Diolch — Thank you (DEE-olkh)
- Os gwelwch yn dda — Please (os GWEL-ookh un thah)
- Ble mae'r toiled? — Where is the toilet? (bleh mire TOY-led)
- Faint yw e? — How much is it? (fynt yoo eh)
- Hwyl fawr — Goodbye (hoo-il vowr)
Welsh is spoken widely in Gwynedd; English is universal.
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 Portmeirion. 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 Jul–Aug school holidays (busiest), Dec–Feb (many closures) · month by month →
- 2 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
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MAN and LPL: last rail connections to Minffordd field-checked, car-hire fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: village core, woodland trails, clifftop and beach, Minffordd station.
- Place pages with verified opening dates and admission bands, plus eat pages with last orders.
- Tide and weather fixtures so the beach path and trails can go green or be closed.
Sources
- officialPortmeirion official site
- officialVisit Wales
- officialTransport for Wales
- secondaryWikivoyage: Portmeirion, revision 5098605 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Portmeirion
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