- 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
$32
Average price
$52
Fastest journey
6 h 50 m
Average duration
7 h 12 m
Buses per day
17
Distance
280 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Leeds to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Leeds to Cardiff will cost around $52 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $32.
Of the 17 buses that leave Leeds for Cardiff on Fri, Jul 31, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jul 31 the direct buses cover the 280 km distance in an average of 7 h 12 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 50 m .
On Fri, Jul 31 the slowest buses will take 8 h 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.
FlixBus
NX131 · NX100 · NX202
NX131 · NX100 · NX202
NX133 · NX111
NX131 · NX105 · NX202
NX133 · NX112
NX133 · NX111
FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Leeds to Cardiff 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 4h 17m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $16, and a train costs an average of $48.
Distance: 173 miles (280 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$30 Average price Cheapest | $87 Average price | $80 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 24m Average total duration 6h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 47m Average total duration Fastest 4h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 14m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg 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 Leeds to Cardiff:
A bus is $58 (€47) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Leeds to Cardiff costing on average $87 (€71).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 54m.
Tickets start at around $30 (€24) compared to roughly $80 (€65) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $50 (€41). The journey takes 6h 54m versus 4h 14m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Megabus, FlixBus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:40AM | Arrival Time 10:45AM | Duration 10h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:00AM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 10h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:30AM | Arrival Time 11:05AM | Duration 9h35 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:30AM | Arrival Time 12:05PM | Duration 9h35 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:35AM | Arrival Time 11:40AM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:05AM | Arrival Time 12:40PM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:10AM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:15AM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 10h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:35AM | Arrival Time 02:40PM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 9h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 9h45 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 05:20PM | Duration 9h35 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:50AM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:55AM | Arrival Time 04:40PM | Duration 6h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:10AM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:25AM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:55AM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:50AM | Arrival Time 07:45PM | Duration 7h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:20PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:50PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:05PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:15PM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sat | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:40PM | Arrival Time 11:35PM | Duration 9h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 11:35PM | Duration 9h35 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:15PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 01:45AM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 02:55AM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 03:45AM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 02:20AM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:40PM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 12h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:59PM | Arrival Time 11:10AM | Duration 12h11 | Departure days Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:40PM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 12h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $23 |
The table below shows live departures for Leeds to Cardiff buses for today, Thursday, July 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX134 · NX112 | 6:35 AM Leeds, Coach Station | 8h05 | 2:40 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:45 AM Leeds, Coach Station | 9h25 | 4:10 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX561 · NX507 | 7:45 AM Leeds, Coach Station | 9h35 | 5:20 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:30 AM Leeds, Coach Station | 8h00 | 4:30 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX131 · NX111 | 10:30 AM Leeds, Coach Station | 7h30 | 6:00 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
NX131 · NX100 · NX202 | 11:45 AM Leeds, Coach Station | 8h20 | 8:05 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 2 transfers | |
NX131 · NX111 | 1:15 PM Leeds, Coach Station | 6h55 | 8:10 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 1:20 PM Leeds, Coach Station | 7h05 | 8:25 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX131 · NX100 · NX202 | 4:15 PM Leeds, Coach Station | 8h35 | 12:50 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 5:00 PM Leeds, Coach Station | 8h45 | 1:45 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX426 · NX509 | 6:00 PM Leeds, Coach Station | 9h15 | 3:15 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:10 PM Leeds, Coach Station | 7h10 | 2:20 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX465 · NX507 | 11:40 PM Leeds, Coach Station | 12h20 | 12:00 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
| Friday, July 31 | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:40 AM Leeds, York Street (Travel Centre) | 10h05 | 10:45 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX466 · NX507 | 1:00 AM Leeds, Coach Station | 11h00 | 12:00 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
NX180 · NX101 · NX202 | 2:30 AM Leeds, Coach Station | 9h35 | 12:05 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 2 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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 Leeds to Cardiff run on average 22 times per day, taking around 6h 54m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $16 (€13) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:30, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 173 miles (280 km) distance in 6h 15m.
Distance 173 miles (280 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 54m |
Cheapest ticket price $16 (€13) |
Buses per day 22 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 6h 15m |
First bus 12:30 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 6 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 Leeds 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 Leeds to Cardiff buses use the Leeds, Coach Station to Cardiff, Sophia Gardens station pair, with some services arriving at Cardiff, Kingsway (Stop GB). Use this guide to compare Leeds and Cardiff 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