- 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
$22
Average price
$27
Fastest journey
4 h
Average duration
4 h 12 m
Buses per day
8
Distance
88 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Exeter to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Exeter to Cardiff will cost around $27 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $22.
It's difficult to get from Exeter to Cardiff without transferring at least once.
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX101 · NX202
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX104 · NX202Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Exeter to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $11. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 6m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $11, and a train costs an average of $21.
Distance: 54 miles (88 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$14 Average price Cheapest | $58 Average price | $32 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 58m Average total duration 3h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 36m Average total duration Fastest 2h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 6m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg 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 Exeter to Cardiff:
A bus is $44 (€44) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Exeter to Cardiff costing on average $58 (€58).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 28m.
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 12:10AM | Arrival Time 05:25AM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:10AM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $13 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:15AM | Arrival Time 07:30AM | Duration 4h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:10AM | Arrival Time 12:10PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $13 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:10AM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 5h05 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $13 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 02:05PM | Duration 4h35 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:20AM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:20PM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 05:55PM | Duration 4h05 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:55PM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 09:10PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $13 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:55PM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Wed, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:05PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:25PM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:25PM | Arrival Time 02:05AM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $13 |
The table below shows live departures for Exeter to Cardiff buses for today, Wednesday, July 29. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:55 PM Exeter | 5h20 | 10:15 PM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:25 PM Exeter | 5h00 | 12:25 AM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, July 30 | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:10 AM Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court | 5h15 | 6:25 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:10 AM Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court | 5h00 | 12:10 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 9:10 AM Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court | 4h10 | 1:20 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX101 · NX202 | 9:30 AM Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court | 4h35 | 2:05 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:20 PM Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court | 4h10 | 4:30 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX104 · NX202 | 1:55 PM Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court | 4h20 | 6:15 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 Exeter to Cardiff run on average 10 times per day, taking around 3h 28m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $11 (€11) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 23:35. The fastest bus covers the 54 miles (88 km) distance in 4h 10m.
Distance 54 miles (88 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 28m |
Cheapest ticket price $11 (€11) |
Buses per day 10 |
Fastest bus 4h 10m |
First bus 12:45 AM |
Last bus 11:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 21 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 Exeter 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 Exeter to Cardiff buses use the Exeter, Bampfylde Street (Express Coach Stop 34) to Cardiff, Sophia Gardens station pair, with some services arriving at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens). Use this guide to compare Exeter and Cardiff bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Exeter, Honiton Road is 3 km from Exeter city centre. Public transport options include:
Exeter, Honiton Road has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café in the station (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Exeter, Honiton Road.
Available at Exeter, Honiton Road: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Exeter, Honiton Road: Ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need