- Must visit
National Museum Cardiff
Major national museum with art, natural history, and geology collections in the city centre. Best known for its impressive Impressionist and Welsh art galleries.
Cheapest price
$18
Average price
$25
Fastest journey
8 h 45 m
Average duration
9 h 32 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
240 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cambridge to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cambridge to Cardiff will cost around $25 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $18.
Of the 3 buses that leave Cambridge for Cardiff on Tue, Jun 02, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jun 02 the direct buses cover the 240 km distance in an average of 9 h 32 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 45 m .
On Tue, Jun 02 the slowest buses will take 10 h 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.






Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cambridge to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $18. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 41m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $18, and a train costs an average of $47.
Distance: 149 miles (240 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$33 Average price Cheapest | $80 Average price | $65 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 40m Average total duration 6h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 11m Average total duration Fastest 3h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 51m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg 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 Cambridge to Cardiff:
A bus is $47 (€38) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cambridge to Cardiff costing on average $80 (€64).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 10m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:00AM | Arrival Time 10:45AM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:30AM | Arrival Time 09:45AM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:00AM | Arrival Time 10:45AM | Duration 6h45 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 10h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:35AM | Arrival Time 01:40PM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:45AM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $100 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 10h00 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:55AM | Arrival Time 02:25PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $119 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $95 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:50AM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 7h45 | Departure days Mon, Sun | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:15PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 6h25 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $100 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 7h55 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:55PM | Arrival Time 07:35PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $101 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:10PM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:25PM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 8h50 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:55PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $110 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 01:20AM | Duration 9h50 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 10:40PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $95 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 02:20AM | Duration 9h50 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:05PM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:15PM | Arrival Time 01:40AM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $95 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:45PM | Arrival Time 04:05AM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $28 |
The table below shows live departures for Cambridge to Cardiff buses for today, Monday, June 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 3:00 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 7h15 | 10:15 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX728 · NX201 | On time 4:00 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 6h40 | 10:40 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 5:05 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 7h20 | 12:25 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX728 · NX201 | On time 6:15 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 7h25 | 1:40 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:45 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 9h20 | 4:05 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 2:00 AM Cambridge | 8h45 | 10:45 AM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:30 AM Cambridge | 10h00 | 4:30 PM Cardiff | 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 Cambridge to Cardiff run on average 14 times per day, taking around 6h 10m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $18 (€14) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 01:40, the last at 23:25. The fastest bus covers the 149 miles (240 km) distance in 6h 25m.
Distance 149 miles (240 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price $18 (€14) |
Buses per day 14 |
Fastest bus 6h 25m |
First bus 1:40 AM |
Last bus 11:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 14 days |
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 the city centre. Best known for its impressive Impressionist and Welsh art galleries.
Open-air museum showing Welsh life through historic buildings moved from across Wales. One of the country’s most loved cultural attractions.
Compact city museum covering Cardiff’s growth from market town to capital, with local stories, objects, and interactive displays.
Waterside district with modern landmarks, walking routes, public art, and some of the city’s most shared photo spots.
Large central park behind Cardiff Castle, ideal for riverside walks, picnics, and easy access to historic sites.
Historic Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades that give central Cardiff much of its character. Excellent for walking and architecture lovers.
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.
Toasted bread topped with a rich savoury cheese sauce, often flavoured with mustard or ale. A classic Welsh dish strongly associated with Cardiff pubs and cafes.
A traditional Welsh vegetarian sausage made with cheese, leeks, and breadcrumbs. It is a distinctive meat-free regional speciality.
Popular steakhouse focused on wood-fired cooking, quality Welsh beef, and a lively upscale atmosphere close to the city centre.
Well-known restaurant at HMP Cardiff offering refined dining with a social mission, using seasonal ingredients in a calm, professional setting.
Charming tea room near Bute Park, loved for Welsh cakes, afternoon tea, and homemade bakes in a relaxed heritage atmosphere.
Moderate by UK standards. Pub meals and chain cafes are reasonable, while central hotels and upscale dining cost more.
Service charge is not always included. Tip 10-12.5% in restaurants for good service. Round up in taxis. Tipping in pubs and cafes is optional.
Official public transport app
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens), Cardiff -> Cardiff Central railway station, Cardiff
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cambridge 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