- Must visit
Leicester Museum & Art Gallery
Leicester's flagship museum and gallery, known for dinosaurs, German Expressionism and broad collections for first-time visitors.
Cheapest price on Oct 20
$27
Average ticket price on Oct 20
$29
Fastest journey on Oct 20
7 h 45 m
Average journey duration on Oct 20
8 h 3 m
Buses on Oct 20
2
Distance
190 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cardiff to Leicester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Leicester will cost around $29 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $27.
On Tue, Oct 20, we found 2 buses from Cardiff to Leicester, including 2 direct services.
On Tue, Oct 20 the direct buses cover the 190 km distance in an average of 8 h 3 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 45 m .
On Tue, Oct 20 the slowest buses will take 8 h 20 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.




Buses from Cardiff to Leicester run on average 26 times per day, taking around 6h 10m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $23 (€20) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:40, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 118 miles (190 km) distance in 3h 50m.
Distance 118 miles (190 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price $23 (€20) |
Buses per day 26 |
Fastest bus 3h 50m |
First bus 12:40 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 1 day |
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:15AM | Arrival Time 10:20AM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:45AM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:20AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 8h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:45AM | Arrival Time 11:35AM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:50AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:05AM | Arrival Time 01:10PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:25AM | Arrival Time 12:55PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 12:55PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:10AM | Arrival Time 02:05PM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:15AM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 03:10PM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:40AM | Arrival Time 04:15PM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 05:55PM | Duration 8h25 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:35AM | Arrival Time 04:25PM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 04:45PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 07:15PM | Duration 7h45 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:40PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 6h45 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:45PM | Arrival Time 08:40PM | Duration 7h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 09:10PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:50PM | Arrival Time 11:10PM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 10:40PM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:15PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:15PM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 7h45 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:40PM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:40PM | Arrival Time 11:40PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:25PM | Arrival Time 12:30AM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 01:05AM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:15PM | Arrival Time 01:15AM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:20PM | Arrival Time 11:15PM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:45PM | Arrival Time 02:55AM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $36 |
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Leicester buses for today, Monday, October 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX111 · NX151 | 9:35 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h50 | 4:25 PM Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX509 · NX440 | 11:30 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h45 | 7:15 PM Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX202 · NX100 · NX150 | 12:40 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h45 | 7:25 PM Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
NX508 · NX440 | 1:50 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h20 | 9:10 PM Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 2:50 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h00 | 9:50 PM Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 1 transfer | |
NX509 · NX440 | 3:15 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h15 | 10:30 PM Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX507 · NX440 | 4:30 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h40 | 12:10 AM Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:40 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h00 | 11:40 PM Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 5:25 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h05 | 12:30 AM Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:20 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 4h55 | 11:15 PM Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Discover the best of Leicester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Leicester trip today.
Leicester's flagship museum and gallery, known for dinosaurs, German Expressionism and broad collections for first-time visitors.
Dedicated to the 2012 discovery of Richard III, this award-winning museum uses immersive displays to tell a remarkable royal story.
A grand Victorian pumping station with working steam heritage displays, making industrial history surprisingly engaging for all ages.
Revived historic quarter around Leicester Cathedral and the Richard III story, packed with lanes, heritage sites and independent venues.
Leicester's best-known green space, offering formal gardens, boating, sports facilities and a lively urban park atmosphere.
Main civic square framed by key institutions and events, useful as a central meeting point and starting place for exploring.
A flaky pastry pie from nearby Melton Mowbray, traditionally made with uncured pork. It is one of Leicestershire’s best-known foods and widely eaten in Leicester.
A hard, crumbly red cheese from Leicestershire with a nutty, mellow flavour. It is one of England’s oldest named cheeses and a proud regional staple.
A blue-veined Stilton-style cheese made in Leicestershire. Rich and creamy, it is strongly linked to the county’s cheesemaking tradition.
Modern British fine dining with tasting menus in an intimate setting. One of Leicester’s most acclaimed restaurants for special occasions.
Well-known modern Indian restaurant serving refined regional dishes and grills in a smart, contemporary dining room.
Long-established vegetarian Indian restaurant on the Golden Mile, known for Gujarati snacks, thalis and a lively casual atmosphere.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while buses and casual meals stay fairly affordable for most visitors.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis. Cafe tipping is not expected, but small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Leicester 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 Leicester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cardiff to Leicester buses use the Cardiff, Sophia Gardens to Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda). Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Leicester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens). ATMs are available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens).
Ticket office support is available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens).
Available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens): Accessible for passengers with reduced mobility.
Cardiff, Sophia Gardens has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens. ATMs are available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
Ticket office support is available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
Available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens: Basic accessibility features available.
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