- Must visit
National Museum Cardiff
Wales’s national art and natural history museum, with Impressionist paintings, geology, and major collections in an elegant civic building.
Cheapest price on Aug 29
$35
Average ticket price on Aug 29
$66
Fastest journey on Aug 29
7 h 35 m
Average journey duration on Aug 29
8 h 6 m
Buses on Aug 29
25
Distance
198 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Derby to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Derby to Cardiff will cost around $66 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $35.
It's difficult to get from Derby to Cardiff without transferring at least once.
NX440 · NX509
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX440 · NX509
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX440 · NX509
NX230 · NX201
FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Derby to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $58 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 8m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $58, while a train costs an average of $105.
Distance: 123 miles (198 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$58 Average price Cheapest | $105 Average price | $71 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 3m Average total duration 7h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 8m Average total duration Fastest 2h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 0m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg 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 Derby to Cardiff:
A bus is $48 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Derby to Cardiff costing on average $105.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 33m.
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 National Express | Departure Time 01:25AM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 9h35 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $75 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:40AM | Arrival Time 12:05PM | Duration 9h25 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $78 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:10AM | Arrival Time 10:45AM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 8h50 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 02:05PM | Duration 9h35 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:40AM | Arrival Time 01:40PM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:05AM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $86 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:40AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 02:25PM | Duration 8h25 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $105 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:10AM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 9h05 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 03:10PM | Duration 8h25 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:55AM | Arrival Time 04:40PM | Duration 9h45 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $81 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:25AM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:35AM | Arrival Time 04:25PM | Duration 8h50 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:15AM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 8h25 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:40AM | Arrival Time 06:25PM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:50AM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 8h50 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $69 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:10AM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:50AM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:15PM | Arrival Time 08:35PM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:10PM | Arrival Time 09:45PM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:40PM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:10PM | Arrival Time 12:55AM | Duration 9h45 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 11:59PM | Duration 8h39 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:05PM | Arrival Time 12:45AM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:45PM | Arrival Time 12:45AM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:40PM | Arrival Time 01:45AM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:45PM | Arrival Time 01:45AM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:05PM | Arrival Time 03:25AM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:10PM | Arrival Time 09:45AM | Duration 11h35 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:05PM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 13h25 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $57 |
The table below shows live departures for Derby to Cardiff buses for today, Friday, August 28. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:50 AM Derby, Bus Station | 8h50 | 7:40 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX440 · NX507 | 11:10 AM Derby, Bus Station | 9h00 | 8:10 PM Cardiff, University | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:50 AM Derby, Bus Station | 8h35 | 8:25 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX440 · NX507 | 1:10 PM Derby, Bus Station | 8h35 | 9:45 PM Cardiff, University | 1 transfer | |
NX440 · NX509 | 3:20 PM Derby, Bus Station | 8h30 | 11:50 PM Cardiff, University | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:05 PM Derby, Bus Station | 8h40 | 12:45 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX440 · NX509 | 5:40 PM Derby, Bus Station | 8h05 | 1:45 AM Cardiff, University | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 5:45 PM Derby, Bus Station | 8h00 | 1:45 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:05 PM Derby, Bus Station | 8h20 | 3:25 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
| Saturday, August 29 | |||||
NX230 · NX201 | 1:25 AM Derby, Bus Station | 9h35 | 11:00 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
NX230 · NX202 | 2:40 AM Derby, Bus Station | 9h25 | 12:05 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 3:10 AM Derby, Bus Station | 7h35 | 10:45 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX230 · NX202 | 4:30 AM Derby, Bus Station | 9h35 | 2:05 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:30 AM Derby, Bus Station | 8h50 | 1:20 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:40 AM Derby, Bus Station | 9h00 | 1:40 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX440 · NX507 | 5:40 AM Derby, Bus Station | 8h30 | 2:10 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
NX230 · NX201 | 6:00 AM Derby, Bus Station | 8h25 | 2:25 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:10 AM Derby, Bus Station | 9h05 | 3:15 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX440 · NX509 | 6:45 AM Derby, Bus Station | 8h25 | 3:10 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
NX440 · NX509 | 7:25 AM Derby, Bus Station | 8h55 | 4:20 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:30 AM Derby, Bus Station | 8h40 | 4:10 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX230 · NX201 | 7:35 AM Derby, Bus Station | 8h50 | 4:25 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
NX440 · NX509 | 9:15 AM Derby, Bus Station | 8h25 | 5:40 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
NX230 · NX201 | 9:40 AM Derby, Bus Station | 8h45 | 6:25 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 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 Derby to Cardiff run on average 22 times per day, taking around 7h 33m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $20 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 23:10. The fastest bus covers the 123 miles (198 km) distance in 3h 45m.
Distance 123 miles (198 km) |
Average bus duration 7h 33m |
Cheapest ticket price $20 |
Buses per day 22 |
Fastest bus 3h 45m |
First bus 12:45 AM |
Last bus 11:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Cardiff — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cardiff trip today.
Wales’s national art and natural history museum, with Impressionist paintings, geology, and major collections in an elegant civic building.
Open-air history museum with rescued Welsh buildings, crafts, and exhibitions that bring everyday life from different eras vividly to life.
Compact city-centre museum telling Cardiff’s story through local archaeology, industry, and community displays inside the Old Library.
Revitalised waterfront district with basin views, modern landmarks, trails, and easy access to culture, public art, and waterside walks.
Large central park behind the castle, ideal for riverside walks, arboretum views, sculptures, and quick escapes from the busy centre.
Victorian shopping arcade packed with independent boutiques and period detail, representing Cardiff’s famous arcade culture at its best.
A Welsh breakfast staple of seaweed cooked into a savoury puree, often served with oats or alongside bacon and cockles. It is a classic taste of Welsh coastal cooking.
Cockles gathered from the Welsh coast, commonly eaten with laverbread. They are a long-standing local delicacy linked to South Wales seaside food culture.
A traditional Welsh broth made with lamb or beef, root vegetables, and leeks. It is hearty, homely, and closely associated with Welsh family cooking.
Refined modern British dining with tasting menus in an elegant city-centre setting. It is one of Cardiff’s most acclaimed fine dining restaurants.
A stylish venue known for seasonal Welsh ingredients, creative small plates, and a relaxed but polished atmosphere near the city centre.
Historic indoor market ideal for casual local food, Welsh cakes, fresh produce, and traditional snacks. It offers a lively everyday taste of Cardiff.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local transit and casual meals are manageable for most visitors.
Restaurants often add a 10-12.5% service charge; if not, tip around 10%. Taxi tips are optional, often rounded up. Cafes usually do not require tipping, but small tips are appreciated.
Official public transport app
Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens) -> Cardiff Central Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Derby 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 Derby to Cardiff buses use the Derby, Bus Station to Cardiff, Sophia Gardens station pair, with some services arriving at Cardiff, Kingsway (Stop GB). Use this guide to compare Derby and Cardiff bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
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.
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, Kingsway (Stop GB) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Cardiff, Kingsway (Stop GB). ATMs are available at Cardiff, Kingsway (Stop GB).
Ticket office support is available at Cardiff, Kingsway (Stop GB).
Available at Cardiff, Kingsway (Stop GB): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff, Kingsway (Stop GB): Accessible via ramped access.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need