- Must visit
National Museum Cardiff
Major national museum with art, natural history, and geology collections in the city centre. Best known for its impressive Impressionist and Welsh art galleries.
Cheapest price
$26
Average price
$66
Fastest journey
4 h 25 m
Average duration
4 h 42 m
Buses per day
29
Distance
196 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Luton to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Luton to Cardiff will cost around $66 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $26.
It's difficult to get from Luton to Cardiff without transferring at least once.
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX230 · NX201
NX231 · NX201
NX230 · NX201
NX230 · NX202
NX230 · NX201Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Luton to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $13. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 50m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $13, and a train costs an average of $36.
Distance: 121 miles (196 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$25 Average price Cheapest | $80 Average price | $53 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 29m Average total duration 4h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 20m Average total duration Fastest 2h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 57m 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 Luton to Cardiff:
A bus is $55 (€45) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Luton to Cardiff costing on average $80 (€65).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 59m.
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 03:20AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 9h10 | Departure days Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:05AM | Arrival Time 01:15PM | Duration 8h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:15AM | Arrival Time 10:45AM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:25AM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $107 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:40AM | Arrival Time 12:10PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:05AM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:20AM | Arrival Time 12:05PM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $107 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:40AM | Arrival Time 01:10PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $67 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 01:40PM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:10AM | Arrival Time 02:05PM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $107 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:40AM | Arrival Time 02:25PM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $116 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:25AM | Arrival Time 04:25PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $107 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:35AM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $67 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:45PM | Arrival Time 05:55PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $107 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:15PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 6h25 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:15PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:25PM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:05PM | Arrival Time 11:45PM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:10PM | Arrival Time 08:35PM | Duration 4h25 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $107 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:05PM | Arrival Time 12:45AM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:10PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $107 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:40PM | Arrival Time 11:35PM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:50PM | Arrival Time 12:45AM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:05PM | Arrival Time 11:59PM | Duration 5h54 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $107 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:15PM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:10PM | Arrival Time 02:25AM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:15PM | Arrival Time 01:25AM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:05PM | Arrival Time 02:45AM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:10PM | Arrival Time 01:40AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $107 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:10PM | Arrival Time 03:25AM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:25PM | Arrival Time 02:25AM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 03:15AM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:05PM | Arrival Time 03:45AM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:10PM | Arrival Time 04:00AM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:25PM | Arrival Time 03:25AM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $26 |
The table below shows live departures for Luton to Cardiff buses for today, Sunday, May 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1:15 PM Luton | 6h10 | 7:25 PM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:30 PM Luton | 5h50 | 8:20 PM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:05 PM Luton | 7h40 | 12:45 AM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:50 PM Luton | 7h00 | 12:50 AM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:15 PM Luton | 5h10 | 12:25 AM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:05 PM Luton | 5h40 | 2:45 AM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, May 25 | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus | 5:15 AM Luton | 5h30 | 10:45 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX240 · NX201 | 5:25 AM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 5h35 | 11:00 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
NXA1 · NX507 | 6:05 AM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 5h45 | 11:50 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
NX230 · NX202 | 6:20 AM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 5h45 | 12:05 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
NXA31 · NX509 | 6:40 AM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 6h30 | 1:10 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
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 Luton to Cardiff run on average 19 times per day, taking around 4h 59m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $13 (€11) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 121 miles (196 km) distance in 5h 0m.
Distance 121 miles (196 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 59m |
Cheapest ticket price $13 (€11) |
Buses per day 19 |
Fastest bus 5h 0m |
First bus 12:45 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 63 days |
Discover the best of Cardiff — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cardiff trip today.
Major national museum with art, natural history, and geology collections in the city centre. Best known for its impressive Impressionist and Welsh art galleries.
Open-air museum showing Welsh life through historic buildings moved from across Wales. One of the country’s most loved cultural attractions.
Compact city museum covering Cardiff’s growth from market town to capital, with local stories, objects, and interactive displays.
Waterside district with modern landmarks, walking routes, public art, and some of the city’s most shared photo spots.
Large central park behind Cardiff Castle, ideal for riverside walks, picnics, and easy access to historic sites.
Historic Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades that give central Cardiff much of its character. Excellent for walking and architecture lovers.
Traditional Welsh soup or stew, usually made with lamb or beef, leeks, potatoes, and root vegetables. It is one of Wales’ most iconic comfort foods.
A classic Welsh dish of toasted bread topped with a savoury cheese sauce, often flavoured with mustard or ale. It is a staple pub and cafe dish in Cardiff.
Traditional Welsh vegetarian sausages made with cheese, leeks, and breadcrumbs. They are especially associated with South Wales.
Well-known steak restaurant with an open-fire cooking style, stylish interior, and strong reputation for high-quality meat and memorable service.
Established restaurant at HMP Cardiff, known for refined dining prepared and served by trainees in a unique, professional setting.
Highly regarded neighbourhood restaurant in Llandaff serving seasonal small plates, natural wine, and modern cooking in a relaxed contemporary space.
Moderate by UK standards. Pub meals and chain cafes are reasonable, while central hotels and upscale dining cost more.
Service charge is not always included. Tip 10-12.5% in restaurants for good service. Round up in taxis. Tipping in pubs and cafes is optional.
Official public transport app
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens), Cardiff -> Cardiff Central railway station, Cardiff
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Luton 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.

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