The first glimpse of Anglesey comes as you crest the rise on the A55 and the Menai Strait opens up below — a ribbon of tidal water separating the island from mainland Wales. Two bridges span it. Both are worth the crossing.
Getting to Ynys Môn is straightforward from every direction: motorway from England, trains from London and Manchester, or ferry from Ireland. This guide covers every route so you can choose the one that fits your journey.
By car: the two bridges
Most visitors arrive by road, and that means crossing one of two bridges over the Menai Strait.
Britannia Bridge (A55) carries the dual carriageway and is the faster route for anyone arriving from England via the M56 or A55 North Wales Expressway. The crossing takes under a minute — blink and you’re on Anglesey. From Chester, allow 75 minutes; from Manchester, around 90 minutes; from Birmingham, two and a half hours.
Menai Suspension Bridge (A5) is the older, more photogenic option. Thomas Telford completed it in 1826 as the world’s first large iron suspension bridge, and it remains a feat of engineering nearly 200 years on. Take this route if you’re approaching from Betws-y-Coed or Snowdonia, or if you simply want the more scenic crossing — the views up and down the Strait are worth the minor detour. The bridge lands you in Porthaethwy (Menai Bridge), a good first stop for coffee at Dylan’s or a wander along the Belgian Promenade.
Driving times to key Anglesey destinations (from Menai Bridge):
- Beaumaris: 10 minutes
- Llangefni: 15 minutes
- Holyhead: 30 minutes
- Rhosneigr: 25 minutes
- Newborough / Llanddwyn: 20 minutes
- Amlwch: 35 minutes
Note that once you’re on the island, roads narrow. The A55 continues as a dual carriageway to Holyhead, but most of Anglesey is single-lane roads threading between hedgerows and stone walls. Allow more time than your sat nav suggests — 8 miles on rural lanes can easily take 20 minutes.
By train: Bangor and beyond
Bangor station sits on the mainland, a five-minute walk from the Menai Strait. It’s the last major station before the island and the interchange point for most rail journeys to Anglesey.
Direct services run from:
- London Euston: 3 hours 15 minutes on Avanti West Coast
- Manchester Piccadilly: 2 hours
- Birmingham New Street: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Chester: 1 hour
- Crewe: 1 hour 15 minutes
From Bangor, you have three options to reach Anglesey itself:
Option 1: Continue by train to Holyhead. The North Wales Coast Line crosses Britannia Bridge and serves four stations on Anglesey: Llanfairpwll, Bodorgan, Ty Croes, Valley, and Holyhead. Journey time from Bangor to Holyhead is 30 minutes, with roughly hourly services. This is the most practical option if you’re heading to Holyhead for an Irish ferry connection or staying in the west of the island.
Option 2: Bus from Bangor. Arriva Cymru services connect Bangor bus station with Menai Bridge, Beaumaris, Llangefni, Amlwch, and other Anglesey towns. The 53 and 57 routes cover the eastern side of the island well. Buses run less frequently on Sundays and evenings — check timetables at traveline.cymru before you travel.
Option 3: Pick up a hire car at Bangor. If you plan to explore beyond the main towns, a car unlocks the island’s hidden coves and coastal villages. Enterprise and local operators have desks near the station.
By ferry: Dublin to Holyhead
Holyhead is one of the busiest ferry ports in Britain, handling crossings to Dublin year-round.
Irish Ferries operates the Dublin–Holyhead route with both cruise ferries (3 hours 15 minutes) and the Ulysses fast ferry (approximately 2 hours 50 minutes). Sailings run multiple times daily; foot passengers and vehicles welcome.
Stena Line runs the same route with a similar schedule. The Stena Adventurer crosses in around 3 hours 15 minutes. Both operators offer onboard restaurants, lounges, and cabins for overnight sailings.
Arriving by ferry puts you straight onto Anglesey — Holyhead sits at the western tip of Holy Island (Ynys Gybi), connected to the main island by a causeway. From the port, the A55 runs east to the Menai bridges and mainland Wales. If you’re staying on Anglesey, you can be in Rhosneigr in 15 minutes or Beaumaris in 40.
Tip for foot passengers: Holyhead train station is a 10-minute walk from the ferry terminal. Trains to Bangor and onward to England connect with most sailings, but check times — some late arrivals may require a taxi or overnight stay.
By bus: National Express and local services
National Express coaches serve Bangor from London Victoria (7–8 hours), Birmingham (5 hours), and other English cities. From Bangor, connect to Anglesey via local bus or taxi.
TrawsCymru T3 runs along the north Wales coast, connecting Bangor with Caernarfon to the south if you’re arriving from the Llŷn Peninsula direction.
Once on Anglesey, local buses are practical for town-hopping but limited for reaching remote beaches and headlands. The 61/62 circular route covers Menai Bridge, Beaumaris, Penmon, and back via Llangoed. The 42 connects Holyhead with Rhosneigr and Valley.
Flying in: Liverpool and Manchester airports
Anglesey has no commercial airport, but two airports on the English side offer convenient access.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport is 90 minutes by car from Menai Bridge — the closest option for flights from European budget carriers.
Manchester Airport is around two hours away and offers the widest range of domestic and international connections. Rail links to Bangor run directly from Manchester Airport station (2.5 hours with one change at Crewe or Chester).
Best route for your trip
- Day trip from Manchester or Liverpool? Drive the A55 — you’ll be on the beach at Newborough within two hours of leaving the M56.
- Coming from London without a car? Train to Bangor, then local bus or hire car. Allow a full day for the journey if you want to arrive relaxed.
- Arriving from Dublin? Walk off the ferry and you’re already here. Holyhead has everything you need to start exploring.
- Scenic route from Snowdonia? Take the A5 through Betws-y-Coed and cross via the Menai Suspension Bridge — the views over Eryri as you approach are worth the extra 15 minutes.
However you arrive, the crossing onto Anglesey marks the start of something different: salt air, slower lanes, and the Irish Sea stretching to the horizon. The bridges are just the beginning.