4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Cheapest price on Sep 18
$62
Average ticket price on Sep 18
$111
Fastest journey on Sep 18
3 h 18 m
Average journey duration on Sep 18
3 h 19 m
Trains on Sep 18
33
Distance
232 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) 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 Piccadilly (MAN) will cost around $111 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $62.
On Fri, Sep 18, we found 33 trains from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN), including 16 direct services.
On Fri, Sep 18 the direct trains cover the 232 km distance in an average of 3 h 19 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 18 m .
On Fri, Sep 18 the slowest trains will take 3 h 20 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.
Y627305:48 AM3h25Cardiff Central (CDF)9:13 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$621One-way0 transfers- G389434:33 AM3h40Cardiff Central (CDF)8:13 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$621One-way0 transfers
- G389477:53 AM3h20Cardiff Central (CDF)11:13 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$711One-way0 transfers
- Y627648:10 PM3h27Cardiff Central (CDF)11:37 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$711One-way0 transfers
- Y61953+
G667217:10 AM3h49Cardiff Central (CDF)10:59 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$791One-way1 transfer
- G389678:55 AM3h18Cardiff Central (CDF)12:13 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$801One-way0 transfers
- G3898312:55 PM3h18Cardiff Central (CDF)4:13 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$881One-way0 transfers
- G389994:55 PM3h18Cardiff Central (CDF)8:13 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$801One-way0 transfers
- G389499:53 AM3h20Cardiff Central (CDF)1:13 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$971One-way0 transfers
- G389477:53 AM3h20Cardiff Central (CDF)11:13 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$711One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $36 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 55m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $36, while a train costs an average of $86.
Distance: 144 miles (232 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$86 Average price | $36 Average price Cheapest | $64 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 55m Average total duration Fastest 3h 25m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 42m Average total duration 6h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN):
A bus is $51 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) costing on average $86.
Other travel options to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 12m.
You'll arrive about 24m sooner (3h 25m by train vs 3h 49m by car). Tickets start at around $86 compared to roughly $64 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 Transport for Wales, Transport for Wales.
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.
Live departures
Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) train times
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) trains for today, Thursday, September 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y62764 | On time 8:10 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h27 | 11:37 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G39013+ G90054 | On time 9:26 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 4h01 | 1:27 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| Friday, September 18 | |||||
| G38943 | 4:33 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h40 | 8:13 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Y62730 | 5:48 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h25 | 9:13 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G66716+ G15040 | 6:24 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h35 | 9:59 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G00844 · G00849 | 6:40 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h49 | 10:29 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G38945 | 6:46 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h27 | 10:13 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Y61953+G66721 | 7:10 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h49 | 10:59 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G66721+W35167 | 7:23 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h36 | 10:59 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G38947 | 7:53 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h20 | 11:13 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G00854+G15041 | 8:18 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h41 | 11:59 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G38967 | 8:55 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h18 | 12:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G66730+W35432 | 9:19 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h40 | 12:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G38949 | 9:53 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h20 | 1:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G66735+W35178 | 10:18 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h41 | 1:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G38975 | 10:53 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h20 | 2:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G00865+G15045 | 11:18 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h41 | 2:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G00900 · G00866 | 11:45 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h44 | 3:29 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G38953 | 11:53 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h20 | 3:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G00872+G15046 | 12:18 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h41 | 3:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G38983 | 12:55 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h18 | 4:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G00876+W35434 | 1:18 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h41 | 4:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G38955 | 1:53 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h20 | 5:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G00883+W35188 | 2:18 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h41 | 5:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G38991 | 2:50 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h24 | 6:14 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G00888+G15049 | 3:18 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h41 | 6:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G38957 | 3:51 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h22 | 7:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y63472+ W33814 | 4:16 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h28 | 7:44 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G00894+W35435 | 4:21 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h38 | 7:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G38999 | 4:55 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h18 | 8:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G38959 | 5:53 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h20 | 9:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Y63476+W34129 | 6:23 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h21 | 9:44 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
| G39004 | 6:53 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h28 | 10:21 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 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 Piccadilly (MAN) 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.
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Why should you book Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs CrossCountry?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for CrossCountry, but also compare tickets for the likes of Avanti West Coast or Transport for Wales to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare CrossCountry with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Raileurope?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Avanti West Coast or Transport for Wales to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN).
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) run on average 30 times per day, taking around 3h 25m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $32 but you can travel from only $14 by bus.
There are 13 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:43, the last at 20:26. The fastest train covers the 144 miles (232 km) distance in 3h 1m.
Distance 144 miles (232 km) |
Average train duration 3h 25m |
Cheapest ticket price $32 |
Trains per day 30 |
Direct trains 13 |
Fastest train 3h 1m |
First train 5:43 AM |
Last train 8:26 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 56 days |
Train companies: CrossCountry, Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) trainsCrossCountry, Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast trains will get you between Cardiff Central (CDF) and Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) from $14. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
CrossCountry
Transport for Wales
Avanti West Coast
FAQs: Trains from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) 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 Piccadilly (MAN), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Most Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) trains use the Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly station pair. Use this guide to compare Cardiff Central (CDF) and Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Getting to Cardiff Central from Cardiff city centre
Cardiff Central train station facilities and services
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 and drink
Food options include: Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen, Pret a Manger, Tesco Express
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are located outside of the main entrance.
Tickets and information
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30, Sat: 05:40 - 21:30, Sun: 07:30 - 21:30.
Luggage and lost property
Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Cardiff Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Cardiff Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility
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.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Clayton Hotel Cardiff, Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Travelodge Cardiff Central.
Getting to Manchester Piccadilly from Manchester city centre
Manchester Piccadilly train station facilities and services
Manchester Piccadilly has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink
Food options include: Burger King, Caffè Nero, Carluccio’s, Hotel Chocolat, Starbucks, The Pasty Shop, Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, Upper Crust, McDonald's, & more
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi. ATMs are there are ATM machines on the main concourse, Platform 10 and on the mezzanine level.
Tickets and information
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30, Sun: 07:00 - 22:30. Information desks are located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
Luggage and lost property
Luggage storage is operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Piccadilly: There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly, Premier Inn Manchester City, Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly.
Most popular train connections from Cardiff Central (CDF)
More options for your journey from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) and Cardiff Central (CDF)
Most popular train connections to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
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