Major city · United Kingdom
Porthgain
Give Porthgain half a day plus one coastal walk: harbour, lunch at The Shed, then the coast path to Abereiddy. Sleep elsewhere.
Porthgain is a single-row harbour village on the north Pembrokeshire coast, once an industrial port shipping slate and crushed road stone. There is no hotel strip and almost nothing to do beyond the harbour, two places to eat and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Treat it as a half-day stop or a lunch-and-walk base, and sleep in St Davids, Fishguard or a nearby cottage.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, parking fills), Nov–Feb (many places shut)
- Airports
- CWL · BRS · DUB
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Porthgain999 ▾
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 Porthgain, 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 · 101 police non-urgent · 111 NHS non-urgent
- 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.
- AirportCWL Cardiff (About 2 h 30 min by road; the nearest airport with regular flights).
- Getting aroundThe village is a five-minute walk end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£14–22 (≈ US$19–30)
- BeerPint of beer in a pub£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedPub or guesthouse double room, a night, per room£120 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedPub or guesthouse double room, a night, per room£200 (≈ US$300)
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
- CWL Cardiff (About 2 h 30 min by road; the nearest airport with regular flights) · BRS Bristol (About 3 h 30 min by road via the M4 and A40) · DUB Dublin (Ferry from Dublin or Rosslare to Fishguard, then about 30 min by road)
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
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Avoid
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
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (16 rain days), driest Jun (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Porthgain: 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
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
15 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
16 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
16 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 village is a five-minute walk end to end. Everything else needs a car, a bike or the coast path. The 404 Strumble Shuttle links St Davids and Fishguard along the coast, daily in summer and only Thursday and Saturday from October to May: check the current timetable before you rely on it. Parking at the harbour is small and fills by mid-morning in summer.
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 40–50 min on foot, 10 min by car
Pembrokeshire Coast Path south from the harbour
The best short walk from Porthgain; the lagoon is a former slate quarry.
Door to door: About 20 min by car
Car on the A487, or the 404 shuttle in summer
Cathedral and the smallest city in Britain; combine with a coast-path stretch.
Fishguard
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min by car
Car on the A487, or the 404 shuttle
Useful for ferries and supplies rather than sightseeing.
Door to door: About 30–35 min by car
Car via the A487 and A487 north
Better lunch and beach stop than Fishguard; Carningli walk above the town.
Newgale
goDoor to door: About 30 min by car
Car via the A487 south
Two-mile pebble-and-sand beach; surf hire and a pub on the front.
Door to door: About 50–60 min by car
Car via the A40 and A478
Walled town and beaches; a full day, not a quick add-on.
Door to door: About 45 min by car
Car via the A40
Port and marina; no reason to detour from the north coast.
Freshwater East
cautionDoor to door: About 55 min by car
Car via the A40 and B4584
Sandy bay and dunes; only worth it if you are already in the south.
Door to door: About 50 min by car
Car via the A40 and A477
Castle is the reason; pair it with a Tenby stop.
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.
Porthgain itself
A handful of self-catering cottages and lodges; no hotel. Book months ahead for summer.
St Davids
About 15–20 min by road; the widest choice of beds, pubs and shops.
Fishguard
About 25–30 min by road; ferry port, cheaper beds, more services.
Llanrhian and the lanes inland
Cottages and lodges 5–10 min from the harbour; you need a car.
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
| Pub or guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × £120 | £120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £80 | £160 |
| Car hire, one day1 × £45 · check | £45 |
| Fish and chips at The Shed2 × £18 · check | £36 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £38 |
| Trip total≈ £210 per person per day, bed included | £419≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in pounds; car hire and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Fish and chipsThe Shed is the village option; book in summer. | £14–20 (≈ US$19–30) |
| Pint of beer in a pub | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Pub main course | £14–22 (≈ US$19–30) |
| Car park, all daycheck | £3–6 (≈ US$4–8) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–15 (≈ US$11–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking at the harbour is limited; arrive before 10:00 in summer or park at Abereiddy and walk in.Parking at the harbour is limited; arrive before 10:00 AM in summer or park at Abereiddy and walk in.
- The 404 shuttle is seasonal and thin outside summer: check times, and have a taxi number.
- Public toilets near the car park open from Easter to October half term only.
- The coast path edges are unfenced and the rock is slippery after rain; keep back from the cliff.
- Mobile signal is patchy in the coves below the village.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police non-urgent
- 101
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Coastguard
- 999, ask for coastguard
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
PorthgainPorthgain
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
I'r cyfeiriad hwn, os gwelwch yn ddaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- Police non-urgent101
- NHS non-urgent111
Embassy
No embassies in Pembrokeshire. The US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Irish embassies are in London; there is a US consular presence in Cardiff (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- 404 Strumble Shuttle, St Davids → Porthgain: about 20 min, daily in summer, Thursday and Saturday only Oct–May (check)
- Taxi St Davids → Porthgain: £15–25 (≈ US$20–35) (check)
- Car park at the harbour: £3–6 (≈ US$4–8) all day (check)
Say or show
- Helo — Hello (HEH-loh)
- Diolch — Thank you (DEE-olch)
- Os gwelwch yn dda — Please (os GWEL-ookh un thah)
- Hwyl fawr — Goodbye (hoo-il VOWR)
- Ble mae'r llwybr arfordir? — Where is the coast path? (bleh mire LLOO-ib ar-VOR-deer)
- Ga i dalu â cherdyn? — Can I pay by card? (guy ee DAL-ee ah KHER-din)
Welsh is spoken alongside English; a few words go a long way.
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 Porthgain. 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–Jun, Sep · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, parking fills), Nov–Feb (many places shut) · 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
- 9 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport and ferry-to-bed contract for the north Pembrokeshire coast: Cardiff, Bristol and Fishguard arrivals, last shuttle times, taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the harbour, Abereiddy and the Blue Lagoon, Traeth Llyfn, and the St Davids headland.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (The Shed, The Sloop Inn, harbour car park, public toilets) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Porthgain
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