- Must visit
Natural History Museum
World-famous museum with iconic architecture, dinosaur galleries, and natural science collections, a major London highlight reachable from Paddington.
Cheapest price
$84
Average price
$109
Fastest journey
2 h 41 m
Average duration
2 h 44 m
Trains per day
43
Distance
208 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff Central (CDF) to London Paddington (PAD) is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff Central (CDF) to London Paddington (PAD) will cost around $109 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $84.
Of the 43 trains that leave Cardiff Central (CDF) for London Paddington (PAD) on Mon, Jun 01, 16 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 01 the direct trains cover the 208 km distance in an average of 2 h 44 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 41 m .
On Mon, Jun 01 the slowest trains will take 2 h 47 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.
W35431
G15049
W35198
W35202
W35437
W45135+
GW584300 · V85074
V03135
W35167
G15045
W35188Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff Central (CDF) to London Paddington (PAD) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $7. For those with little time consider booking a ferry which can get you there in 28m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $7, and a train costs an average of $44.
Distance: 129 miles (208 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Ferry | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$80 Average price | $20 Average price Cheapest | $34 Average price | $73 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 8m Average total duration 2h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 23m Average total duration 3h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 28m Average total duration Fastest 28m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 3h 13m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff Central (CDF) to London Paddington (PAD):
A bus is $14 (€11) less than a ferry for this route with tickets for a ferry from Cardiff Central (CDF) to London Paddington (PAD) costing on average $34 (€27).
A bus is $60 (€48) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to London Paddington (PAD) costing on average $80 (€65).
Other travel options to London Paddington (PAD) take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 38m.
Bus takes on average 3h 53m.
You'll arrive about 35m sooner (2h 38m by train vs 3h 13m by car). Tickets start at around $80 (€65) compared to roughly $73 (€59) 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.
Direct services run with Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR).
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 Cardiff Central (CDF) to London Paddington (PAD) trains for today, Sunday, May 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W35220 | On time 2:20 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h39 | 4:59 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
GW195100 · V84878+ Y61969 | On time 2:29 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h00 | 5:29 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 2 transfers | |
W35442 | On time 3:25 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h34 | 5:59 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C00125 | On time 4:25 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h42 | 7:07 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
GW165800 · C05987+ G38994 | On time 4:41 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h12 | 7:53 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 2 transfers | |
W35445 | On time 5:25 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h34 | 7:59 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W35246 | Delayed 5:25 PM 6:20 PMCardiff Central (CDF) | 1h49 | 7:56 PM 7:56 PMLondon Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W35246 | Delayed 6:25 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h30 | 7:56 PM 7:56 PMLondon Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W35246 | On time 6:25 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h31 | 8:56 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C00139 | Delayed 6:25 PM 7:20 PMCardiff Central (CDF) | 1h54 | 8:59 PM 8:59 PMLondon Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C00139 | On time 7:25 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h34 | 9:59 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W35446 | Delayed 8:20 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 1h54 | 10:06 PM 10:06 PMLondon Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W35446 | On time 8:20 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h46 | 11:06 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W35250 | On time 9:20 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h07 | 11:27 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W35250 | On time 9:20 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h55 | 12:15 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
GW584500 · V85075 | 4:25 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h51 | 7:16 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 1 transfer | |
W35431 | 5:07 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h02 | 8:09 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
V85072 · GW584300 · V85074 | 5:53 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h58 | 8:51 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 2 transfers | |
W45135+ GW584300 · V85074 | 6:10 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h41 | 8:51 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 2 transfers | |
V03135 | 6:24 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h41 | 9:05 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00844+ W35221 | 6:40 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h19 | 9:59 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 1 transfer | |
V85071 · GW584100 · W35166 | 6:51 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h55 | 9:46 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 2 transfers | |
W35167 | 7:23 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h44 | 10:07 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00938+ W35223 | 7:45 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h14 | 10:59 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 1 transfer | |
G00938+ GW583900 · W35169 | 7:45 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h51 | 10:36 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 2 transfers | |
G15041 | 8:18 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h49 | 11:07 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G66712+ W35225 | 8:45 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h14 | 11:59 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 1 transfer | |
G66712+ GW583700 · G15042 | 8:45 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h01 | 11:46 AM London Paddington (PAD) | 2 transfers | |
W35432 | 9:19 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h50 | 12:09 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G01067+ W35227 | 9:45 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h14 | 12:59 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 1 transfer | |
W35178 | 10:18 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h49 | 1:07 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00941+ W35229 | 10:45 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h14 | 1:59 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 1 transfer | |
G15045 | 11:18 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h47 | 2:05 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00900+ W35231 | 11:45 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h14 | 2:59 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 1 transfer | |
G15046 | 12:18 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h49 | 3:07 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00947+ G15054 | 12:45 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h13 | 3:58 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 1 transfer | |
W35434 | 1:18 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h50 | 4:08 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00905+ GW582700 · W35187 | 1:45 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h56 | 4:41 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 2 transfers | |
G00905+ W35236 | 1:45 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h15 | 5:00 PM London Paddington (PAD) | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and ferry 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 Cardiff Central (CDF) to London Paddington (PAD) run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 38m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $44 (€35) but you can travel from only $7 (€5) by bus.
There are 7 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:54, the last at 21:20. The fastest train covers the 129 miles (208 km) distance in 1h 49m.
Distance 129 miles (208 km) |
Average train duration 2h 38m |
Cheapest ticket price $44 (€35) |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 7 |
Fastest train 1h 49m |
First train 4:54 AM |
Last train 9:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Discover the best of London Paddington — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect London Paddington trip today.
World-famous museum with iconic architecture, dinosaur galleries, and natural science collections, a major London highlight reachable from Paddington.
Major museum of science, technology, and innovation with interactive galleries and historic objects, especially popular with families.
Celebrated museum of art, design, and performance with vast collections and elegant galleries, one of London's cultural essentials.
Picturesque canal area with waterside walks, colorful boats, and a relaxed atmosphere, one of Paddington's most photogenic local favorites.
One of London's great royal parks with open lawns, lakeside scenery, and major walking routes easily reached from Paddington.
Elegant historic park adjoining Hyde Park, known for formal landscapes, palace grounds, and some of West London's best strolling.
A hearty plate of eggs, sausages, bacon, beans, grilled tomato, mushrooms, and toast. It is one of London’s most classic traditional meals.
Beer-battered fish with thick-cut chips, usually served with mushy peas and tartare sauce. It is a staple British comfort dish found across London.
Roast meat with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, gravy, and Yorkshire pudding. It is a beloved British weekend tradition in London pubs.
A long-running neighborhood favorite for Italian cooking near Paddington. It is known for warm hospitality, pasta, and a relaxed dining room.
A well-known traditional pub near Paddington Station serving classic British dishes, pies, ales, and Sunday roasts in a historic setting.
A popular, long-established pub close to the station known for fish and chips, hearty pub meals, and a lively local atmosphere.
London Paddington is expensive for most visitors. Hotels and dining cost more than in most UK cities, though chain cafes and takeaway spots help keep daily costs down.
Service charge of 12.5% is often added in restaurants; if not, tip 10-12%. No tip needed for pubs at the bar. Round up taxi fares or add about 10% for good service.
Official public transport app
London Paddington -> Oxford Circus, London
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff Central (CDF) to London Paddington (PAD) 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 London Paddington (PAD), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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