Cardiff to Loughborough bus with Megabus

Sat, Jun 13
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Megabus
National Express
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Cardiff to Loughborough

Showing times and prices for Jun 13

Cheapest price

$53

Average price

$70

Fastest journey

4 h 56 m

Average duration

6 h 40 m

Buses per day

12

Distance

197 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cardiff to Loughborough is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Cardiff to Loughborough will cost around $70 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $53.

Fast buses

It's difficult to get from Cardiff to Loughborough without transferring at least once.

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    1:05 PM10h20
    Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
    11:25 PMLoughborough, The Rushes
    $531One-way
    1 transfer
  • National ExpressNX509 · NX440
    3:15 AM8h35
    Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
    11:50 AMLoughborough, The Rushes
    $551One-way
    1 transfer
  • National ExpressNX509 · NX440
    7:45 PM7h35
    Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
    3:20 AMLoughborough, The Rushes
    $551One-way
    1 transfer
  • National ExpressNX507 · NX440
    4:00 PM7h50
    Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
    11:50 PMLoughborough, The Rushes
    $561One-way
    1 transfer
  • National ExpressNX112 · NX777 · NX440
    11:20 AM6h30
    Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
    5:50 PMLoughborough, The Rushes
    $591One-way
    2 transfers

Travel Information

Compare bus and train for Cardiff to Loughborough

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Loughborough among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $22. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 0m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $22, and a train costs an average of $46.

Distance: 122 miles (197 km)

Compare bus with

Bus
Most popular
Train
Driving

$36

Average price

Cheapest

$123

Average price

$56

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

7h 48m

Average total duration

7h 18m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 30m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 0m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 56m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Megabus

Most popular bus company

CrossCountry

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Cardiff to Loughborough is a bus with an average price of $36 (€29).

This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Loughborough:

A bus is $87 (€71) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Loughborough costing on average $123 (€99).

The fastest way to travel from Cardiff to Loughborough is by train with an average journey time of 3h 0m.

Other travel options to Loughborough take longer:

Bus takes on average 7h 18m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cardiff and Loughborough including taking a bus and train.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Cardiff to Loughborough among Omio's users.
Take the bus. On this route, it's both cheaper and quicker than driving.

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.

Cardiff to Loughborough Bus Timetables

OperatorDeparture TimeArrival TimeDurationDeparture daysCheapest price
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
03:15AM
Arrival Time
11:50AM
Duration
8h35
Departure days
Sat
Cheapest price
$55
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
04:15AM
Arrival Time
01:05PM
Duration
8h50
Departure days
Fri
Cheapest price
$50
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
05:55AM
Arrival Time
01:45PM
Duration
7h50
Departure days
Sat
Cheapest price
$82
Operator
FlixBus
Departure Time
06:10AM
Arrival Time
05:05PM
Duration
10h55
Departure days
Wed, Thu
Cheapest price
$22
Operator
FlixBus
Departure Time
07:10AM
Arrival Time
06:15PM
Duration
11h05
Departure days
Thu
Cheapest price
$36
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
07:45AM
Arrival Time
03:55PM
Duration
8h10
Departure days
Sat
Cheapest price
$86
Operator
CrossCountry
Departure Time
08:51AM
Arrival Time
01:47PM
Duration
4h56
Departure days
Sat
Cheapest price
$152
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
11:20AM
Arrival Time
05:50PM
Duration
6h30
Departure days
Sat
Cheapest price
$59
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
12:15PM
Arrival Time
08:05PM
Duration
7h50
Departure days
Sat
Cheapest price
$70
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
12:50PM
Arrival Time
08:30PM
Duration
7h40
Departure days
Mon
Cheapest price
$44
Operator
FlixBus
Departure Time
01:05PM
Arrival Time
11:25PM
Duration
10h20
Departure days
Sat
Cheapest price
$53
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
01:45PM
Arrival Time
10:15PM
Duration
8h30
Departure days
Sat
Cheapest price
$59
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
04:00PM
Arrival Time
11:50PM
Duration
7h50
Departure days
Sat
Cheapest price
$56
Operator
FlixBus
Departure Time
04:15PM
Arrival Time
12:55AM
Duration
8h40
Departure days
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri
Cheapest price
$24
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
06:45PM
Arrival Time
02:55AM
Duration
8h10
Departure days
Sat
Cheapest price
$59
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
07:45PM
Arrival Time
03:20AM
Duration
7h35
Departure days
Sat
Cheapest price
$55

Live departures

Cardiff to Loughborough bus times

The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Loughborough buses for tomorrow, Saturday, June 13. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
National ExpressNX509 · NX440
Delayed
6:15 AM 3:15 AMCardiff, Sophia Gardens
8h35
5:20 PM 5:20 PMLoughborough, The Rushes
1 transfer
National ExpressNX509 · NX440
Delayed
6:15 AM 5:55 AMCardiff, Sophia Gardens
7h50
5:20 PM 5:20 PMLoughborough, The Rushes
1 transfer
National ExpressNX507 · NX440
Delayed
8:15 AM 7:45 AMCardiff, Sophia Gardens
8h10
5:20 PM 5:20 PMLoughborough, The Rushes
1 transfer
Great Western RailwayW35174+CrossCountryG01065 · XC134200+East Midlands RailwayW709718:51 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
4h56
1:47 PM Loughborough station (LBO)3 transfers
National ExpressNX112 · NX777 · NX440
Delayed
11:20 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
6h30
5:20 PM 5:20 PMLoughborough, The Rushes
2 transfers
National ExpressNX112 · NX151 · NX440
Delayed
11:20 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
6h30
5:20 PM 5:20 PMLoughborough, The Rushes
2 transfers
National ExpressNX507 · NX440
On time
12:15 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
7h50
8:05 PM Loughborough, The Rushes
1 transfer
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus1:05 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
10h20
11:25 PM Loughborough, The Rushes1 transfer
National ExpressNX509 · NX440
On time
1:45 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
8h30
10:15 PM Loughborough, The Rushes
1 transfer
National ExpressNX507 · NX440
On time
4:00 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
7h50
11:50 PM Loughborough, The Rushes
1 transfer
National ExpressNX507 · NX465
On time
6:45 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
8h10
2:55 AM Loughborough, The Rushes
1 transfer
National ExpressNX509 · NX440
On time
7:45 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
7h35
3:20 AM Loughborough, The Rushes
1 transfer

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Loughborough by bus or train

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.

Sat
Jun 13
Sun
Jun 14
Mon
Jun 15
Tue
Jun 16
Wed
Jun 17
Thu
Jun 18
Fri
Jun 19

Why should you book Cardiff to Loughborough buses with Omio?

Megabus as well as National Express offer buses services from Cardiff to Loughborough.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cardiff to Loughborough.

Why book with Omio vs Megabus?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Megabus, but also compare tickets for the likes of National Express to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff to Loughborough.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Megabus with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff to Loughborough.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of National Express to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff to Loughborough.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Cardiff to Loughborough.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Cardiff to Loughborough

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Cardiff to Loughborough run on average 10 times per day, taking around 7h 18m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $22 (€18) if you book in advance.

The earliest bus runs at 00:40, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 122 miles (197 km) distance in 7h 40m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
122 miles (197 km)
Average bus duration
7h 18m
Cheapest ticket price
$22 (€18)
Buses per day
10
Fastest bus
7h 40m
First bus
12:40 AM
Last bus
11:45 PM
Cheapest Month
Oct
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Jul - Sep
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Fri
Least Busy Day
Fri
Best time to book
14 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: Megabus, National Express from Cardiff to LoughboroughYou can travel by bus between Cardiff to Loughborough with Megabus, National Express for as low as $22 (€18). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

Megabus

About
Megabus is a low-cost intercity bus service operating across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Known for its affordable fares, including promotional $1 tickets, Megabus offers routes connecting over 500 cities and university campuses in North America. The company provides amenities such as air conditioning, power outlets, free Wi-Fi, and onboard restrooms, with many routes utilizing double-decker buses for scenic views. Megabus aims to provide safe, convenient, and affordable express bus travel.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
8h 0m
Cheapest Price
$46 (€37)
Megabus frequency
4 a day
Luggage included
One piece of luggage is included per passenger reservation. For guidance, a piece of luggage must not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) and should not weigh more than 50 pounds (23kg).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased by buying an additional travel ticket in advance or by adding up to two additional pieces when booking for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
Megabus reservations cannot be canceled or refunded, but they can be traded in for another journey up to 3 hours before your original scheduled departure for a fee.
Refund
If Megabus fails to provide on-time reliable service for reasons wholly within their control, refunds or alternative travel arrangements may be offered.
Pregnant on board
Being pregnant on board is allowed, but no specific details or restrictions are provided.
Unaccompagned minor
Unaccompanied minors under the age of 17 are not permitted to travel on Megabus.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cold food and drinks, as well as hot drinks with a lid, are allowed on board, but hot food is not.
Seat reservation
Reserved seats can be purchased for an additional fee, starting from £2.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.
Entertaiment on board

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
7h 40m
Cheapest Price
$44 (€35)
National Express frequency
8 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.

FAQs: Bus from Cardiff to Loughborough

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Loughborough 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 Loughborough, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap bus tickets from Cardiff to Loughborough can start from as little as $22 (€18) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Cardiff to Loughborough is $36 (€29) ; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by bus from Cardiff to Loughborough is 7h 40m to travel the 122 miles (197 km) long journey. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest bus from Cardiff to Loughborough leaves at 12:40 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from Cardiff to Loughborough leaves at 11:45 PM.
There are 10 buses a day from Cardiff to Loughborough which require at least one change with Megabus, National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer buses.
When taking a bus from Cardiff to Loughborough, you can count on Megabus, National Express for the best way to get you to Loughborough. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between Cardiff and Loughborough and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
A trip to Loughborough from Cardiff is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 7h 40m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a bus from Cardiff to Loughborough is October.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cardiff and Loughborough including taking a bus and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from Cardiff to Loughborough:
  • Megabus
    • Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from Cardiff to Loughborough for bus company Megabus, National Express.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from Cardiff to Loughborough depends on the bus companies:
  • Megabus
    • Megabus reservations cannot be canceled or refunded, but they can be traded in for another journey up to 3 hours before your original scheduled departure for a fee.
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the bus with bus company National Express.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the bus from Cardiff to Loughborough.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from Cardiff to Loughborough:
  • Megabus
    • One piece of luggage is included per passenger reservation. For guidance, a piece of luggage must not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) and should not weigh more than 50 pounds (23kg).
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a bus ticket from Cardiff to Loughborough:
  • Megabus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased by buying an additional travel ticket in advance or by adding up to two additional pieces when booking for a fee.
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the bus from Cardiff to Loughborough.
You can reserve your seat on the bus from Cardiff to Loughborough with the following bus company: Megabus, National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from Cardiff to Loughborough with the following bus company: Megabus, National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from Cardiff to Loughborough with the following bus company: Megabus, National Express.
Since neither Cardiff nor Loughborough are in the Schengen Area, passport requirements depend on the specific immigration rules of United Kingdom and United Kingdom. Entry and visa requirements can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's embassy or consulate.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Cardiff to Loughborough among Omio's users.
The currency used in the United Kingdom is the British Pound Sterling (GBP). For travelers, using a card is generally more convenient and widely accepted, especially in cities and for transportation tickets, though carrying some cash can be useful for small purchases or in rural areas.
In Loughborough, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas such as the town center and during events. Common scams include overcharging by taxis without meters and unofficial ticket sellers near transport hubs. It's advisable to use licensed taxis and purchase tickets from official vendors to avoid fraud. Additionally, travelers should stay aware of their surroundings at night, particularly in less busy areas.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.

popular bus stations

Popular bus stations from Cardiff to Loughborough

Cardiff
Loughborough
The major bus station for departures in Cardiff is Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens). Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) for your trip from Cardiff to Loughborough.
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
information
Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
information
Cardiff, University
information

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