- Must visit
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Major university museum with masterpieces, antiquities and decorative arts in a grand building. A leading cultural highlight in Cambridge.
Cheapest price
$26
Average price
$47
Fastest journey
6 h 5 m
Average duration
6 h 16 m
Buses per day
17
Distance
240 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cardiff to Cambridge is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Cambridge will cost around $47 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $26.
It's difficult to get from Cardiff to Cambridge without transferring at least once.
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX201 · NX727
NX201 · NX727
NX201 · NX728
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX201 · NX728Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Cambridge among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 59m. 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 $16, and a train costs an average of $47.
Distance: 149 miles (240 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$28 Average price Cheapest | $80 Average price | $64 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 47m Average total duration 6h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 29m Average total duration Fastest 3h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 53m 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 Cardiff to Cambridge:
A bus is $51 (€42) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Cambridge costing on average $80 (€66).
Other travel options to Cambridge take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 17m.
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 01:40AM | Arrival Time 08:10AM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:10AM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 8h50 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:10AM | Arrival Time 11:15AM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:25AM | Arrival Time 09:55AM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:40AM | Arrival Time 09:55AM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:40AM | Arrival Time 12:00PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:25AM | Arrival Time 11:35AM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:40AM | Arrival Time 11:35AM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 03:55PM | Duration 9h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:20AM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:25AM | Arrival Time 03:25PM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 04:55PM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 05:05PM | Duration 6h35 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:40AM | Arrival Time 07:45PM | Duration 9h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:35PM | Arrival Time 07:35PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $66 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:40PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:35PM | Arrival Time 09:35PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $81 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:50PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:05PM | Arrival Time 09:35PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 11:35PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:40PM | Arrival Time 11:35PM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:40PM | Arrival Time 11:35PM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:25PM | Arrival Time 08:10AM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $27 |
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Cambridge buses for today, Tuesday, July 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX201 · NX727 | 9:25 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h05 | 3:30 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
NX509 · NX491 | 10:30 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h35 | 5:05 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:40 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 9h05 | 7:45 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
NX202 · NX727 | 12:35 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h25 | 8:00 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:40 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h40 | 8:20 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
NX201 · NX727 | 2:35 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h00 | 9:35 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 2:50 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h40 | 9:30 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
NX201 · NX727 | 4:30 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h05 | 11:35 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:40 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h55 | 11:35 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:25 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 8h45 | 8:10 AM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:40 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h30 | 8:10 AM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 3:10 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h50 | 10:00 AM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
NX201 · NX728 | 3:25 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h30 | 9:55 AM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:40 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h20 | 12:00 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
NX201 · NX728 | 5:25 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h10 | 11:35 AM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:45 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 9h10 | 3:55 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 transfer | |
NX201 · NX727 | 7:20 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h05 | 1:25 PM Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 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 Cardiff to Cambridge run on average 12 times per day, taking around 6h 17m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $16 (€13) 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 7h 30m.
Distance 149 miles (240 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price $16 (€13) |
Buses per day 12 |
Fastest bus 7h 30m |
First bus 1:40 AM |
Last bus 11:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Cambridge — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cambridge trip today.
Major university museum with masterpieces, antiquities and decorative arts in a grand building. A leading cultural highlight in Cambridge.
Compact museum of polar exploration with artifacts, sledges and expedition stories. Excellent for understanding Arctic and Antarctic history.
Acclaimed anthropology museum displaying world cultures through remarkable objects and thoughtful interpretation. Rich, memorable and family friendly.
The city's most famous riverside walking area, lined with college gardens and views. Classic place for strolling, punting and photography.
Historic central square with market stalls, buskers and everyday city life. A practical and lively base for sightseeing and shopping.
Leafy riverside common ideal for walking, picnics and broad views of the college skyline. Popular with locals and visitors year-round.
A creamy dessert of whipped cream, meringue and raspberry coulis, created at Cambridge’s Trinity College and named after the River Cam.
The Cambridge version of crème brûlée, linked to Trinity College. It has a rich custard base with a hard caramelised sugar top.
Tender local asparagus from the Cambridgeshire fens, prized in spring for its sweetness and freshness, often served simply with butter or eggs.
Elegant riverside fine dining restaurant known for refined British tasting menus and polished service in a historic setting.
Historic city-centre restaurant serving modern British cooking with seasonal ingredients in a smart, intimate atmosphere.
Well-known Cambridge pub and dining room offering classic British dishes, cask ales and a lively, traditional atmosphere.
Moderate for the UK: hotels often cost more in peak season, but dining and local buses are manageable for most tourists.
Service may be included; if not, 10-12.5% in restaurants is common. Round up for taxis. Cafes usually do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) -> Cambridge City Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Cambridge 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 Cambridge, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cardiff to Cambridge buses use the Cardiff, Sophia Gardens to Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) station pair. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Cambridge 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