- Must visit
National Museum Cardiff
Major national museum with art, natural history, and geology collections in central Cardiff.
Cheapest price
$12
Average price
$21
Fastest journey
1 h 20 m
Average duration
1 h 22 m
Buses per day
22
Distance
34 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Bristol Airport to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bristol Airport to Cardiff will cost around $21 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $12.
Of the 22 buses that leave Bristol Airport for Cardiff on Sun, Jun 21, 18 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 21 the direct buses cover the 34 km distance in an average of 1 h 22 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 20 m .
On Sun, Jun 21 the slowest buses will take 1 h 25 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
FlixBus
NX216
NX216
FlixBus
NX216
NX216Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Bristol Airport to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $8. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 24m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $8, and a train costs an average of $26.
Distance: 21 miles (34 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$12 Average price Cheapest | $40 Average price | $17 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 8m Average total duration 1h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 54m Average total duration Fastest 1h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 18m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Bristol Airport to Cardiff:
A bus is $27 (€22) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bristol Airport to Cardiff costing on average $40 (€32).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 38m.
Tickets start at around $12 (€10) compared to roughly $17 (€14) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $4 (€4). The journey takes 1h 38m versus 1h 18m 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, 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 12:10AM | Arrival Time 01:35AM | Duration 1h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:10AM | Arrival Time 05:45AM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:40AM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Great Western Railway | Departure Time 04:43AM | Arrival Time 06:47AM | Duration 2h04 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator Great Western Railway | Departure Time 05:18AM | Arrival Time 07:19AM | Duration 2h01 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 07:40AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:40AM | Arrival Time 09:50AM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 09:40AM | Duration 1h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:23AM | Arrival Time 12:05PM | Duration 2h42 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:24AM | Arrival Time 12:05PM | Duration 2h41 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 11:45AM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:59AM | Arrival Time 02:05PM | Duration 3h06 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:03AM | Arrival Time 02:05PM | Duration 3h02 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 02:35PM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:03PM | Arrival Time 04:15PM | Duration 3h12 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 03:25PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 04:40PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:03PM | Arrival Time 05:55PM | Duration 2h52 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:12PM | Arrival Time 05:55PM | Duration 2h43 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 04:55PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:19PM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 2h56 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:20PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 07:15PM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:45PM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 1h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 09:10PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:05PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:20PM | Arrival Time 11:40PM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:23PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 2h27 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 01:05AM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $10 |
The table below shows live departures for Bristol Airport to Cardiff buses for today, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 5:45 PM Bristol, Airport Bus Station | 1h35 | 7:20 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 7:30 PM Bristol, Airport Bus Station | 1h40 | 9:10 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 11:45 PM Bristol, Airport Bus Station | 1h20 | 1:05 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, June 21 | |||||
NX216 | Delayed 9:25 AM 12:10 AMBristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange) | 1h25 | 8:00 AM 8:00 AMCardiff, Sophia Gardens | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX216 | Delayed 9:25 AM 4:10 AMBristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange) | 1h35 | 8:00 AM 8:00 AMCardiff, Sophia Gardens | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:40 AM Bristol, Airport Bus Station | 1h45 | 6:25 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX216 | Delayed 9:25 AM 6:00 AMBristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange) | 1h40 | 8:00 AM 8:00 AMCardiff, Sophia Gardens | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 7:40 AM Bristol, Airport Bus Station | 2h10 | 9:50 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX216 | Delayed 9:25 AM 8:15 AMBristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange) | 1h25 | 9:40 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 0 transfersDirect | |
WXA1 · NX202 | 9:24 AM Bristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange) | 2h41 | 12:05 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 10:00 AM Bristol, Airport Bus Station | 1h45 | 11:45 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX216 | On time 10:45 AM Bristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange) | 1h35 | 12:20 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 0 transfersDirect | |
WXA1 · NX202 | 11:03 AM Bristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange) | 3h02 | 2:05 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
NX216 | On time 1:00 PM Bristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange) | 1h35 | 2:35 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 0 transfersDirect | |
WXA1 · NX202 | 1:03 PM Bristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange) | 3h12 | 4:15 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 1:45 PM Bristol, Airport Bus Station | 1h40 | 3:25 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX216 | On time 3:00 PM Bristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange) | 1h40 | 4:40 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 0 transfersDirect | |
WXA1 · NX202 | 3:03 PM Bristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange) | 2h52 | 5:55 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 3:15 PM Bristol, Airport Bus Station | 1h40 | 4:55 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX216 | On time 5:20 PM Bristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange) | 1h30 | 6:50 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX216 | On time 8:05 PM Bristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange) | 1h20 | 9:25 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX216 | On time 10:20 PM Bristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange) | 1h20 | 11:40 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Bristol Airport to Cardiff run on average 35 times per day, taking around 1h 38m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $8 (€6) if you book in advance.
There are 22 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 01:45, the last at 22:20. The fastest bus covers the 21 miles (34 km) distance in 1h 15m.
Distance 21 miles (34 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 38m |
Cheapest ticket price $8 (€6) |
Buses per day 35 |
Direct buses 22 |
Fastest bus 1h 15m |
First bus 1:45 AM |
Last bus 10:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Discover the best of Cardiff — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cardiff trip today.
Major national museum with art, natural history, and geology collections in central Cardiff.
Open-air museum showcasing Welsh historic buildings, traditions, and everyday life on a large heritage site.
City museum covering Cardiff’s social history, industry, communities, and urban development.
Revitalized waterfront district with promenades, public buildings, and popular photo-friendly views.
Large central park ideal for riverside walks, greenery, and easy access from the castle.
Network of historic Victorian and Edwardian arcades prized for architecture and local independent shops.
Traditional Welsh soup or stew, usually made with lamb or beef, leeks, potatoes, and root vegetables. It is one of Wales’s best-known comfort dishes.
A classic Welsh dish of toasted bread topped with a savory cheese sauce, often seasoned with mustard or ale. It is a staple in pubs and cafes across Cardiff.
A traditional Welsh vegetarian sausage made with cheese, leeks, and breadcrumbs. It is especially associated with South Wales.
Well-known steakhouse in central Cardiff, praised for quality Welsh beef, polished service, and a lively modern atmosphere.
Highly regarded fine-dining venue serving well-presented British dishes in a unique and memorable setting.
Long-running Portuguese restaurant popular for grilled meat, seafood, and generous portions in a warm, traditional setting.
Generally cheaper than London. Hotels can rise on event days, but food, transport, and pubs are usually moderate for UK city travel.
Service charge is not always included. Tip about 10-12.5% in restaurants for good service, round up taxis, and tipping in pubs or cafes is optional.
Official public transport app
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens), Cardiff -> Cardiff Central Station, Cardiff
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bristol Airport 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.

Most Bristol Airport to Cardiff buses use the Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) to Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) station pair, with some services arriving at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens. Use this guide to compare Bristol Airport and Cardiff bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need