- Must visit
National Museum Cardiff
Wales’s national art and natural history museum, with Impressionist paintings, geology, and major collections in an elegant civic building.
Cheapest price
$13
Average price
$22
Fastest journey
2 h 35 m
Average duration
3 h 11 m
Buses per day
11
Distance
142 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Birmingham to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Birmingham to Cardiff will cost around $22 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $13.
Of the 11 buses that leave Birmingham for Cardiff on Sat, Jul 18, 7 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jul 18 the direct buses cover the 142 km distance in an average of 3 h 11 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 35 m .
On Sat, Jul 18 the slowest buses will take 3 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX100 · NX202
NX112
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX111
NX111Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $12. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 14m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $12, and a train costs an average of $23.
Distance: 88 miles (142 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$17 Average price Cheapest | $51 Average price | $51 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 53m Average total duration 3h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 44m Average total duration Fastest 2h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 16m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Cardiff:
A bus is $34 (€28) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Cardiff costing on average $51 (€42).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 23m.
Tickets start at around $17 (€14) compared to roughly $51 (€42) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $34 (€28). The journey takes 3h 23m versus 2h 16m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by National Express, Megabus, FlixBus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:50AM | Arrival Time 12:05PM | Duration 4h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 12:05PM | Duration 4h05 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:50AM | Arrival Time 01:15PM | Duration 4h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $11 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 3h30 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:15AM | Arrival Time 01:05PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $11 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 05:05PM | Duration 4h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $11 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 2h35 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 04:40PM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 07:45PM | Duration 3h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:55PM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 3h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:40PM | Arrival Time 01:25AM | Duration 3h45 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
The table below shows live departures for Birmingham to Cardiff buses for today, Friday, July 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX101 · NX202 | 7:50 AM Birmingham, Coach Station | 4h15 | 12:05 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 8:50 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 4h25 | 1:15 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX111 | 9:30 AM Birmingham, Coach Station | 3h30 | 1:00 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 10:15 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 2h50 | 1:05 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 1:00 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 4h05 | 5:05 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX112 | 1:30 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 3h10 | 4:40 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX105 · NX202 | 2:00 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 4h30 | 6:30 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
NX111 | 4:00 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 3h45 | 7:45 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:55 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 3h30 | 8:25 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX100 · NX202 | 5:00 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 5h00 | 10:00 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
NX100 · NX202 | 9:00 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 3h50 | 12:50 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Birmingham to Cardiff run on average 12 times per day, taking around 3h 23m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $12 (€10) if you book in advance.
There are 7 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 23:40. The fastest bus covers the 88 miles (142 km) distance in 2h 25m.
Distance 88 miles (142 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 23m |
Cheapest ticket price $12 (€10) |
Buses per day 12 |
Direct buses 7 |
Fastest bus 2h 25m |
First bus 12:45 AM |
Last bus 11:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 77 days |
Discover the best of Cardiff — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cardiff trip today.
Wales’s national art and natural history museum, with Impressionist paintings, geology, and major collections in an elegant civic building.
Open-air history museum with rescued Welsh buildings, crafts, and exhibitions that bring everyday life from different eras vividly to life.
Compact city-centre museum telling Cardiff’s story through local archaeology, industry, and community displays inside the Old Library.
Revitalised waterfront district with basin views, modern landmarks, trails, and easy access to culture, public art, and waterside walks.
Large central park behind the castle, ideal for riverside walks, arboretum views, sculptures, and quick escapes from the busy centre.
Victorian shopping arcade packed with independent boutiques and period detail, representing Cardiff’s famous arcade culture at its best.
A Welsh breakfast staple of seaweed cooked into a savoury puree, often served with oats or alongside bacon and cockles. It is a classic taste of Welsh coastal cooking.
Cockles gathered from the Welsh coast, commonly eaten with laverbread. They are a long-standing local delicacy linked to South Wales seaside food culture.
A traditional Welsh broth made with lamb or beef, root vegetables, and leeks. It is hearty, homely, and closely associated with Welsh family cooking.
Refined modern British dining with tasting menus in an elegant city-centre setting. It is one of Cardiff’s most acclaimed fine dining restaurants.
A stylish venue known for seasonal Welsh ingredients, creative small plates, and a relaxed but polished atmosphere near the city centre.
Historic indoor market ideal for casual local food, Welsh cakes, fresh produce, and traditional snacks. It offers a lively everyday taste of Cardiff.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local transit and casual meals are manageable for most visitors.
Restaurants often add a 10-12.5% service charge; if not, tip around 10%. Taxi tips are optional, often rounded up. Cafes usually do not require tipping, but small tips are appreciated.
Official public transport app
Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens) -> Cardiff Central Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Birmingham to Cardiff by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cardiff, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need