The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA)
Cheapest price
€38
Average price
€59
Fastest journey
3 h 34 m
Average duration
4 h 19 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
219 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) 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 Manchester Airport (MIA) will cost around €59 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €38.
Of the 5 trains that leave Cardiff Central (CDF) for Manchester Airport (MIA) on Mon, Dec 08, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Dec 08 the direct trains cover the 219 km distance in an average of 4 h 19 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 34 m .
On Mon, Dec 08 the slowest trains will take 4 h 43 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.










Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA)
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €18. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 44m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €18, and a train costs an average of €52.
Distance: 136 miles (219 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€79 Average price | €24 Average price Cheapest |
4h 14m Average total duration Fastest 3h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 52m Average total duration 5h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) train times
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) trains for tomorrow, Monday, December 8. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 3:32 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 4h43 | 8:15 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:49 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 4h26 | 9:15 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:46 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 4h29 | 10:15 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:53 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 4h22 | 2:15 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) by train or bus
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.
Dec 08
Dec 09
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
Dec 14
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA)
Trains from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) run on average 8 times per day, taking around 3h 44m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $64 (€52) but you can travel from only $22 (€18) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 03:32, the last at 12:45. The fastest train covers the 136 miles (219 km) distance in 3h 57m.
Distance 136 miles (219 km) |
Average train duration 3h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price $64 (€52) |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 3h 57m |
First train 03:32 |
Last train 12:45 |
Train companies: Transport for Wales from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) trainsTransport for Wales trains will get you between Cardiff Central (CDF) and Manchester Airport (MIA) from $22 (€18). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Transport for Wales
FAQs: Trains from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA)
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) 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 Manchester Airport (MIA), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA)
- Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sun: 07:30 - 21:30
- Free Wi-Fi in the station.
- Type of shops available: News agent and convenience store
- Car Park: Brewery Car park
- Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen
- Pret a Manger
- Tesco Express
- Taxi: Taxi rank is on the right as you exit the main station entrance
- 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
- Clayton Hotel Cardiff
- Cardiff Marriott Hotel
- Travelodge Cardiff Central
- Waiting rooms location: On platforms 1/2, 3/4, 6/7 and 8.
- Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sun: 07:30 - 21:30
- 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
- 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)
- Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 06:30 - 22:30
- Type of shops available: Passport Photo Booth
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: re Step free access is provided from the Ground Transport Interchange to all platforms via lifts or ramps. This station is staffed for all services. This station is Category A. Station staff can provide assistance from Meeting Point 1 (adjacent to the Station Booking Office) and throughout the railway station, and with boarding and alighting the train. Customers requiring assistance should make themselves known to station staff no less than 20 minutes prior to the departure time of their train. Customers requiring assistance to access other services or to connect with terminals should request this from their airline or Manchester Airport Group. Assistance can be requested in advance by contacting the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay). Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge.
- Accessible public telephones: In the station cafe on platforms 2 and 3
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts. The Ladies toilets are located at the end of Platform 3. The Gents toilets are located at the end of Platform 2. The National key toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts, at the end of Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The National key toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts, at the end of Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: No cycle storage
- Storage CCTV: No
- Information available from staff: ,Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0800 107 2149
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Rail Replacement bus services depart from stands L & M of the adjacent Bus Station which is situated close to the ticket office.
Most popular train connections from Cardiff Central (CDF)
More options for your journey from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA)
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

