QPR's final match before the international break takes them to Swansea this Saturday. Here are the usual travel tips for those making the journey on a day when the railways are not our friend again.
Ground Name: Liberty Stadium
Capacity: 20,500 (all seated)
Address: Morfa, Swansea, SA1 2FA
Main Telephone No: 01792 616 600
Ticket Office: 08700 400 004
By Car:
From London it’s M4 and ‘go west’ all the way into South Wales, then off at junction 45 and onto the A4607 following signs for the city centre. Stay on that road for about two and a half miles and the ground should magically appear before you. Round about 185 miles from Loftus Road.
Map:
Click map to visit Multi Map site and zoom in/out or tour round.
Parking:
It’s a brand new stadium this, 20,500 seats so guess what? That’s right, no car park for away fans. Permit holders only at the ground and residents permit holders only in the streets in the immediate vicinity. You could try for street parking further afield or use the dreaded park and ride facilities at Swansea Vale shortly after leaving the M4 at junction 45 - £5 per car including travel to the ground. The guide strongly discourages you from parking on the nearby retail park, apparently the ticket issuers are a bit keen. Last season we approached the ground on the dual carriageway, as soon as we saw it we dived off to the right and parked at the side of a road no problem at all.
By Train
For the second time this season following the game at Scunthorpe the visit of QPR coincides with a weekend programme of engineering work and line closure. Great Western trains from Paddington are running only as far as Cardiff this weekend with a bus trip, encompassing the M4 roadworks, taking you the rest of the way to Swansea. That means hassle, and extended journey times. For those who still want to try it there is a return ticket still available for £56.65 based on buying two singles and using the 0845 from Paddington (arrive via bus at 1203) and then out of Swansea in the evening at 1810 arriving back at 2149. The station is 25 minutes walk to the ground, taxi or bus advised – numbers 4, 4a, 120, 122, 125, 132 run to the ground.
Pubs:
The Northern R’s ended up in the Dylan Thomas last season as one of the first pubs you see when you drive in – the food was disgusting, the service was appalling and the place was filthy. If you are arriving by car this year drive right past the revolting hell hole. There are apparently no pubs within walking distance of the stadium that admit away fans on police advice, games in South Wales do always seem to be a bit tasty police and trouble wise. All the usual Wetherspoons, Yates etc are located on Wind Street in the centre of the city near Castle Gardens, No Sign Bar is the place for real ale enthusiasts.
Coach
The club coach leaves Loftus Road at 8.30am and is priced £31 for adults, £20 for seniors and young adults, £18 for juniors. Season ticket holders receive a £2 discount. The LSA is running two coaches from The Springbok picking up at The Target roundabout as well. They leave at 9am priced £25 for adults and £15 for concessions. Call Luke on 07806 531 999 to book.
Tickets
Both clubs are again insisting that this fixture is all ticket for away fans however they did this last year only for us to turn up and find cash turnstiles open on the night. No guarantee that this will be the case again but it really irritated me as I left my brother at home last season having told him he wouldn’t be able to pay on the night. Rangers have 600 tickets remaining priced £25 for adults, £15 for students, £13 for seniors and £10 for juniors. Disabled tickets are £25 for a pair. These are on general sale until 4pm on Friday, seven loyalty points can be yours for a purchase.
Links:
Detailed fans' guide to the Liberty Stadium
Official website