- 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 Sep 19
lei703
Average ticket price on Sep 19
lei1330
Fastest journey on Sep 19
9 h 59 m
Average journey duration on Sep 19
10 h 9 m
Trains on Sep 19
2
Distance
634 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Aberdeen to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Aberdeen to Cardiff will cost around lei1330 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only lei703.
On Sat, Sep 19, we found 2 trains from Aberdeen to Cardiff, including 2 direct services.
On Sat, Sep 19 the direct trains cover the 634 km distance in an average of 10 h 9 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 9 h 59 m .
On Sat, Sep 19 the slowest trains will take 10 h 19 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 Aberdeen to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of lei519 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 9h 10m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.2 - 0.6kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of lei519, while a train costs an average of lei1195.
Distance: 393 miles (634 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
lei1195 Average price | lei519 Average price Cheapest | lei821 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 10m Average total duration Fastest 8h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 16h 48m Average total duration 16h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 9m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.6 - 1.6kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus 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 Aberdeen to Cardiff:
A bus is lei676 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Aberdeen to Cardiff costing on average lei1195.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 16h 18m.
You'll arrive about 29m sooner (8h 40m by train vs 9h 9m by car). Tickets start at around lei1195 compared to roughly lei821 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Aberdeen to Cardiff trains for tomorrow, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:52 AM Aberdeen | 10h19 | 7:11 PM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 12:11 PM Aberdeen | 9h59 | 10:10 PM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Aberdeen to Cardiff run on average 4 times per day, taking around 8h 40m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at lei430 but you can travel from only lei263 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 04:15, the last at 16:04. The fastest train covers the 393 miles (634 km) distance in 8h 2m.
Distance 393 miles (634 km) |
Average train duration 8h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price lei430 |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 8h 2m |
First train 4:15 AM |
Last train 4:04 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 1 day |
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 Central -> St Mary Street, Cardiff
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Aberdeen to Cardiff by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cardiff, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Aberdeen to Cardiff trains use the Aberdeen to Cardiff Central station pair. Use this guide to compare Aberdeen and Cardiff train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Aberdeen has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: The Silver Darling, Moonfish Cafe
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Aberdeen. Information desks are located in the main concourse.
Luggage storage is available at Aberdeen. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Aberdeen: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Aberdeen: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Aberdeen: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Residence Inn Aberdeen, Hilton Aberdeen TECA, Jurys Inn Aberdeen.
Dyce (Aberdeen Airport) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Accessibility, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Wi-Fi is available at Dyce (Aberdeen Airport).
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dyce (Aberdeen Airport): Parking.
Available at Dyce (Aberdeen Airport): Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dyce (Aberdeen Airport): Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Fully Accessible - lifts and footbridge Blue Badge spaces: 3, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Cardiff Central has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Car Rental.
Food options include: Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen, Pret a Manger, Tesco Express
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are located outside of the main entrance.
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30, Sat: 05:40 - 21:30, Sun: 07:30 - 21:30.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cardiff Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Cardiff Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff Central: There is step-free access in the whole station. There are also ramps for train access and elevators in the station.
Nearby hotels include Clayton Hotel Cardiff, Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Travelodge Cardiff Central.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need