Train to Cardiff - Book cheap tickets online

Whether you’re in town for rugby at Millennium Stadium, a trip back in time at Cardiff Castle or an afternoon relaxing at Cardiff Bay, the Welsh capital has plenty to offer. Its city center is very compact, which means most major attractions are within easy walking distance or just a quick bus ride away. Cardiff itself is easy to reach by local and long-distance train or by plane to Cardiff Airport, which is handy for international travelers.

Which is the main train station in Cardiff?

Cardiff’s main train station is Cardiff Central railway station, where trains from across the UK arrive on a daily basis. The station is located right in the heart of the city center, on the east side of the River Taff. It’s just a 4-minute walk from big, bustling St. David’s Dewi Sant shopping mall and a 10-minute walk from Cardiff Castle. The city’s second station is Cardiff Queen Street, which is a hub for local rail routes around South Wales.

Which train companies offer trains to Cardiff?

Great Western Railway is one of the most frequent providers of trains to Cardiff from southern England. They offer direct, twice-hourly trains from London Paddington, as well as hourly trains from Portsmouth and Taunton which pass via Bristol. CrossCountry also offers an hourly service from Nottingham which passes via Birmingham. CrossCountry and Virgin Trains offer quick indirect services from more distant cities, including Edinburgh, while Arriva Trains Wales offers direct trains from Manchester.

Why travel by train to Cardiff?

Cardiff makes the perfect base for exploring the rest of Wales by train. The extensive Welsh rail network connects the capital with smaller towns and cities across the country. Along the way, travelers have a chance to take in broad swathes of the stunning scenery Wales is known for. Even if you don’t have time to see the whole of Wales, Cardiff is easy to reach from elsewhere in the UK, thanks to direct connections with several major cities.

Before you travel to Cardiff by train - good to know!

For the most colorful shopping experience, avoid the crowds at St. David’s and head to Cardiff Central Market. The market is housed in a beautiful Victorian building, with stores over two floors, plus plenty of spots to grab a bite to eat. Its surrounding area is well served by the extensive Cardiff bus network, which is even more affordable if you buy a prepaid travel card known as an Iff card.

Train providers: Great Western Rail, CrossCountry and Transport for Wales to Cardiff trains

Find the best journey to Cardiff with Omio's train partners Great Western Rail, CrossCountry and Transport for Wales! You'll find the best deals, schedules and tickets when comparing and booking the most affordable route for you.

Great Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London Paddington to the West of England, South Wales and the Cotswolds. It also operates services from London Paddington to Oxford, Reading and Bristol. It offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, air conditioning and catering services. The most popular routes for Great Western Railway are London Paddington to Bristol, Reading and Oxford.

Cross Country trains are a UK-based train operator that provides services across the country including trains to Cardiff. They offer a range of services, from express services to local services, and have a variety of ticket types to suit different needs. Their express services, such as the CrossCountry Voyager and CrossCountry XC Trains, offer a fast and comfortable journey, with onboard facilities such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a selection of snacks and drinks. Their local services, such as the CrossCountry Regional and CrossCountry Regional Express, provide a more leisurely journey, with stops at smaller stations along the way. They also offer a range of ticket types, such as Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak tickets, to suit different budgets and travel needs. The most popular routes for Cross Country trains include London to Birmingham, Manchester to Edinburgh, and Bristol to Reading.

Transport for Wales is a public transport provider in Wales, UK. It operates a comprehensive network of trains, buses and ferries across the country. The trains are modern and comfortable, with a range of different types including InterCity Express Trains, Regional Trains, and Metro Trains. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. There are a variety of ticket types available, including single and return tickets, season tickets, and group tickets. The most popular routes include Cardiff to Swansea, Cardiff to Newport, and Cardiff to Manchester.

West Midlands Trains is a train operator based in the United Kingdom, providing services across the West Midlands region. It operates a variety of train types, including the Class 350 Desiro, Class 323 Electrostar, Class 170 Turbostar, and Class 172 Turbostar. These trains offer a range of onboard facilities, such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and air conditioning. Passengers can purchase a range of tickets, including single, return, and season tickets. The most popular routes operated by West Midlands Trains include Birmingham to London Euston, Birmingham to Wolverhampton, and Birmingham to Coventry.

South Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom, providing services in the south and south-west of England. It operates a variety of train types, including high-speed trains, local stopping services, and suburban commuter trains. It also offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Off-Peak, and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for South Western Railway include London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour, London Waterloo to Weymouth, and London Waterloo to Bournemouth.

station information and services

Train stations in Cardiff

Cardiff Central Wifi

Amenities at train station

Wifi

Shopping

Parking

Dining

ATM

Taxis

Accessibility

Hotel

Lounge

Lost and Found Office

Ticket Office

Bike Parking

Bike Rental

Car Rental

information

Address

Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP, United Kingdom

Phone Number

Ticket Office Hours

Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
Sun: 07:30 - 21:30

Wifi

Free Wi-Fi in the station.

Shopping

Type of shops available: News agent and convenience store

Parking

Car Park: Brewery Car park

Dining

Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen
Pret a Manger
Tesco Express

Taxis

Taxi: Taxi rank is on the right as you exit the main station entrance

Accessibility

There is step-free access in the whole station. There are also ramps for train access and elevators in the station.

Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platforms 1 to 8. The National Key toilets are located in the East Subway near the lifts and on Platform 8; these toilets are operated by a radar key and are only available during staffing hours.
National key toilets: Yes
National key toilets location: The National Key/Accessible toilets are located in the East Subway near the lifts and on Platform 8; these toilets are operated by a RADAR key and are only available during staffing hours.
Baby changing facilities: Yes

Hotel

Clayton Hotel Cardiff
Cardiff Marriott Hotel
Travelodge Cardiff Central

Lounge

Waiting rooms location: On platforms 1/2, 3/4, 6/7 and 8.

Ticket Office

Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
Sun: 07:30 - 21:30

Bike Parking

Storage sheltered: Yes
Storage location: East end of platforms 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 6 and 7 - also at the front and rear of the station.
Storage CCTV: Yes

Public transit options for Cardiff Central

Commuter rail lines: City Line, Rhondda Line, Rhymney Line, Valley Line, South Wales Main Line
Train lines: Transport for Wales, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway
Location for Rail Replacement Services: At the rear car park (Penarth Road entrance)

Cardiff Queen Street Parking

Amenities at train station

Parking

Dining

Taxis

Accessibility

Hotel

Lost and Found Office

Ticket Office

Bike Parking

Bike Rental

Information Desk

information

Address

Cardiff Queen Street station, Station Terrace, Cardiff, Cardiff, CF10 4EY

Ticket Office Hours

Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 07:40 - 18:00 Sunday 10:00 - 15:30 Temporary opening hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parking

Car Park: No

Accessibility

Staff help available: Yes
Step free access coverage: Yes
Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machines are near the main entrance and take cash and major debit and credit cards.
Accessible toilets: Yes
Ramp for train access: Yes
Wheelchairs available: No
Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No

Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 4. The National key toilets are located on the Main Concourse to the right of the Ticket Office; these toilets are operated by a radar key and are only available during staffing hours.
National key toilets: Yes
Baby changing facilities: No

Hotel

Travelodge

Bike Parking

Storage sheltered: No
Storage location: to the right of the station front
Storage CCTV: Yes

Information Desk

Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
Helpline Contact: 03333 211202
Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens

Public transit options for Cardiff Queen Street

Onward travel information: Limited service from stop outside station Mondays to Fridays
Location for Rail Replacement Services: For services towards Cardiff Central use the bus stop at the front of the station. For services towards Cathays use the bus stop in front of the shop opposite the station entrance. Please ask a member of station staff if you are unsure of which stop to use.

Cardiff Bay Parking

Amenities at train station

Parking

Dining

Taxis

Accessibility

Hotel

Lost and Found Office

Bike Parking

Bike Rental

information

Address

Cardiff Bay station, Bute Street, Cardiff, Cardiff, CF10 5LE

Distance to city center

1 km

Parking

Car Park: No

Accessibility

Staff help available: Yes
Step free access coverage: Yes
Step free access note: Category B. The platform has level access from Bute Street and Lloyd George Avenue.
Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) take cash, and major debit and credit cards.
Ramp for train access: Yes
Wheelchairs available: No
Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No

Bike Parking

Storage sheltered: No
Storage CCTV: Yes

Public transit options for Cardiff Bay

Onward travel information: There is a bus stop outside the station.
Location for Rail Replacement Services: Wait at the bus stop close to the station entrance on Bute Street

Rhoose Cardiff International Airport Parking

Amenities at train station

Parking

Dining

Accessibility

Lost and Found Office

Bike Parking

information

Address

Rhoose Cardiff International Airport station, off Torbay Terrace, Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan, CF62 3HB

Phone Number

+44 3333211202

Accessibility

Staff help available: Yes
Step free access coverage: Yes
Step free access note: Category B1. Step free access to Platform 1 (to Cardiff). Step free access to Platform 2 (to Bridgend). Access between the platforms is via the level crossing
Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided
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

Public transit options for Rhoose Cardiff International Airport

Location for Rail Replacement Services: Wait at bus stop on Station Road adjacent to level crossing

Whitchurch (Cardiff) Parking

Amenities at train station

Parking

Accessibility

Lost and Found Office

Bike Parking

information

Address

Whitchurch station, off Pen-y-Dre, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 1BP

Distance to city center

5 km

Parking

Car Park: No

Accessibility

Staff help available: Yes
Step free access coverage: Yes
Step free access note: Category B Step free access to the platform from Pen y Dre.
Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) do not accept cash. Payment is by major debit and credit cards only.
Ramp for train access: Yes
Wheelchairs available: No
Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No

Bike Parking

Storage sheltered: No
Storage location: On Platform 2
Storage CCTV: Yes

Public transit options for Whitchurch (Cardiff)

Location for Rail Replacement Services: Along the A470 (Northern Avenue) towards Cardiff at the bus stop after the junction with Caedelyn Road

Cardiff, Bus Interchange Accessibility

Amenities at train station

Accessibility

information

Address

Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP, UK

Accessibility

The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible

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Trains to Cardiff

Which is the main train station in Cardiff?

Which train companies offer trains to Cardiff?

Why travel by train to Cardiff?

Before you travel to Cardiff by train - good to know!

Train providers: Great Western Rail, CrossCountry and Transport for Wales to Cardiff trains

station information and services

Train stations in Cardiff

Trains to Cardiff: related information

Trains from Cardiff

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