- Must visit
National Museum Cardiff
Major national museum with art, natural history, and archaeology collections. A top cultural stop in the city centre.
Cheapest price
$21
Average price
$22
Fastest journey
6 h 15 m
Average duration
6 h 46 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
141 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Plymouth to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Plymouth to Cardiff will cost around $22 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $21.
Of the 2 buses that leave Plymouth for Cardiff on Wed, Jun 10, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jun 10 the direct buses cover the 141 km distance in an average of 6 h 46 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 15 m .
On Wed, Jun 10 the slowest buses will take 7 h 16 m 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.




Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Plymouth 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 3h 11m. 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 $13, and a train costs an average of $33.
Distance: 87 miles (141 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$22 Average price Cheapest | $99 Average price | $54 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 19m Average total duration 4h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 41m Average total duration Fastest 3h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 50m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg 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 Plymouth to Cardiff:
A bus is $77 (€63) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Plymouth to Cardiff costing on average $99 (€81).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 49m.
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 01:20AM | Arrival Time 07:40AM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:10AM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:25AM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 12:10PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:20AM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:35AM | Arrival Time 02:05PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:55AM | Arrival Time 01:40PM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:50AM | Arrival Time 02:05PM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:05AM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:15PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:25PM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:40PM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:50PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:10PM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 01:25AM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:59PM | Arrival Time 05:25AM | Duration 6h26 | Departure days Mon, Sun | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:59PM | Arrival Time 07:15AM | Duration 7h16 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
The table below shows live departures for Plymouth to Cardiff buses for today, Tuesday, June 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:00 AM Plymouth, Coach Station | 6h10 | 12:10 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:55 AM Plymouth, Coach Station | 5h45 | 1:40 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX101 · NX202 | On time 8:50 AM Plymouth, Coach Station | 5h15 | 2:05 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:05 AM Plymouth, Coach Station | 5h25 | 4:30 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
NX104 · NX202 | On time 12:25 PM Plymouth, Coach Station | 5h50 | 6:15 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
NX101 · NX202 | On time 3:30 PM Plymouth, Coach Station | 6h30 | 10:00 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 3:40 PM Plymouth, Coach Station | 6h35 | 10:15 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:10 PM Plymouth, Coach Station | 5h15 | 12:25 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:59 PM Plymouth, Coach Station | 6h26 | 6:25 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary 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 Plymouth to Cardiff run on average 10 times per day, taking around 4h 49m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $13 (€11) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:10, the last at 23:35. The fastest bus covers the 87 miles (141 km) distance in 5h 25m.
Distance 87 miles (141 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 49m |
Cheapest ticket price $13 (€11) |
Buses per day 10 |
Fastest bus 5h 25m |
First bus 12:10 AM |
Last bus 11:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 5 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 archaeology collections. A top cultural stop in the city centre.
Open-air museum showing Welsh historic buildings, crafts, and daily life. One of Wales's most celebrated cultural attractions.
Local history museum covering Cardiff's growth from small town to capital city, with interactive displays and social history exhibits.
Waterfront district with modern public spaces, harbourside walks, major landmarks, and a lively atmosphere.
Large riverside park beside the castle, ideal for walking, cycling, and relaxing near the city centre.
Network of elegant Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades, famous for architecture and independent businesses.
Traditional Welsh soup or stew, usually made with lamb or beef, leeks, potatoes, and root vegetables. It is one of Wales’s best-known comfort dishes.
Toasted bread topped with a rich savoury cheese sauce, often flavoured with mustard or ale. A classic Welsh dish strongly associated with Cardiff pubs and cafes.
A traditional Welsh vegetarian sausage made with cheese, leeks, and breadcrumbs. It is a distinctive meat-free regional speciality.
Popular steakhouse focused on wood-fired cooking, quality Welsh beef, and a lively upscale atmosphere close to the city centre.
Well-known restaurant at HMP Cardiff offering refined dining with a social mission, using seasonal ingredients in a calm, professional setting.
Charming tea room near Bute Park, loved for Welsh cakes, afternoon tea, and homemade bakes in a relaxed heritage atmosphere.
Moderate by UK standards. Dining and transport are manageable, while central hotels and nightlife cost more on busy weekends.
About 10-12.5% in restaurants if service is not included. Round up taxis. Not expected in pubs or cafés, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) -> Cardiff Central Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Plymouth 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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