Compare Swansea car hire

The M4 is the main route in and out of Swansea. Use junction 47 if you’re arriving from the ferry ports and the west, and junction 42 if you’re heading from Cardiff in the east.

Swansea’s city centre roads have been criticised for confusing one-way systems and a ring road that left motorists frustrated. However, work is underway to revamp the main offender, The Kingsway. It should eventually ease the problem, but watch out for detours and be prepared for delays.

Keep an eye out too for the city’s bus lanes – there’s one on Fabian Way, a key route in and out of town, and Neath Road, close to Liberty Stadium. Be careful when you park too, the local authority is tough on motorists who stop on zig zags and yellow boxes. A camera car tours the city identifying offenders.

The largest car parks are at St David’s Place and Wellington Street. If you’re planning to beach hop, pick up a £5 transferable parking ticket so you can nip between beach car parks.

Mumbles

Driving time: 20 minutes

Pack a bucket and spade and get set for a day at the beach. Mumbles is an easy drive from the city centre, and is one of the Gower Peninsula's prettiest resorts. Grab an ice cream, drink in views of the lighthouse and Victorian pier, and browse the local shops – then follow Mumbles Road to Bracelet Bay to explore the rock pools.

Castle Trail

Driving Time: 15 minutes

It isn't a Wales holiday without a castle or two. With a rental car you can plan a mini road trip around the fortifications that dot South Wales's sandy bays and rolling landscapes. Begin at Oystermouth Castle and plot a route that takes in Pennard, Oxwich and Weobley castles. Keep an eye open for ghostly goings-on – some of these are supposedly haunted.

Brecon Beacons

Driving time: 40 minutes

You’ll need a car to make the most of the Brecon Beacons. Stop on the way at Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall, just 20 minutes by road from Swansea, to see how the power of water was harnessed to fuel new industries. Another 90 minutes on, lace up your boots and climb Pen y Fan, which, at 886 metres (2,907 feet) is the highest mountain in South Wales, or drive to Ystradfellte and follow the waterfall walk. It’ll take you to Sgwd yr Eira (Fall of Snow), where you can walk behind the cascading waters.