The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Cheapest price
$89
Average price
$120
Fastest journey
3 h 36 m
Average duration
3 h 38 m
Trains per day
25
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 $120 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $89.
It's difficult to get from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) without transferring at least once.
G00899 · G0086811:45 AM3h44Cardiff Central (CDF)3:29 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$891One-way1 transfer
G00904 · G008811:45 PM3h44Cardiff Central (CDF)5:29 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$891One-way1 transfer
G00949 · G0087312:45 PM3h44Cardiff Central (CDF)4:29 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$891One-way1 transfer
G00944 · G008862:45 PM3h44Cardiff Central (CDF)6:29 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$891One-way1 transfer
G00922 · G008964:45 PM3h44Cardiff Central (CDF)8:29 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$891One-way1 transfer
G00853+
W351728:23 AM3h36Cardiff Central (CDF)11:59 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$1441One-way1 transfer
G00893+
W351954:23 PM3h36Cardiff Central (CDF)7:59 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$1441One-way1 transfer
G00882+
C422932:21 PM3h38Cardiff Central (CDF)5:59 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$1191One-way1 transfer
G66736+
C4229010:20 AM3h39Cardiff Central (CDF)1:59 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$1441One-way1 transfer
G00864+
W3518111:20 AM3h39Cardiff Central (CDF)2:59 PMManchester Piccadilly (MAN)$1441One-way1 transfer
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 prices starting from $24. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 27m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $24, and a train costs an average of $48.
Distance: 144 miles (232 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$82 Average price | $33 Average price Cheapest | $63 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 57m Average total duration Fastest 3h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 53m Average total duration 5h 23m 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 $49 (€40) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) costing on average $82 (€67).
Other travel options to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 23m.
You'll arrive about 22m sooner (3h 27m by train vs 3h 49m by car). Tickets start at around $82 (€67) compared to roughly $63 (€52) 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, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G38983 | On time 12:55 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h18 | 4:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W35434+ G00876 | On time 1:18 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h41 | 4:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G38955 | On time 1:53 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h20 | 5:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W35188+ G00883 | On time 2:18 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h41 | 5:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G38991 | On time 2:50 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h24 | 6:14 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00888+ G15049 | Delayed 3:09 PM 3:18 PMCardiff Central (CDF) | 3h41 | 6:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G38957 | On time 3:51 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h22 | 7:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y63472+ W33814 | On time 4:16 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h28 | 7:44 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
W35435+ G00894 | On time 4:21 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h38 | 7:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G38999 | On time 4:55 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h18 | 8:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38959 | On time 5:53 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h20 | 9:13 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y63476+ W34129 | On time 6:23 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h21 | 9:44 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G39004 | On time 6:53 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h28 | 10:21 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Y62764 | On time 8:10 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h27 | 11:37 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G39013+ G90053 | On time 9:26 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 4h01 | 1:27 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G66717+ W35164 | 6:20 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h39 | 9:59 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G00845 · G00850 | 6:40 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h49 | 10:29 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
W35168+ G66720 | 7:18 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h41 | 10:59 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G00937 · G00852 | 7:45 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h44 | 11:29 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
W35172+ G00853 | 8:23 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h36 | 11:59 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G66713 · G00856 | 8:45 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h44 | 12:29 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
C42289+ G66731 | 9:19 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h40 | 12:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G00892 · G00859 | 9:45 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h44 | 1:29 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
C42290+ G66736 | 10:20 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h39 | 1:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G00942 · G00862 | 10:45 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h44 | 2:29 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G00864+ W35181 | 11:20 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h39 | 2:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G00899 · G00868 | 11:45 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h44 | 3:29 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
G00870+ W35184 | 12:20 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h39 | 3:59 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1 transfer | |
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.
Jun 19
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Why should you book Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Transport for Wales?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Transport for Wales, but also compare tickets for the likes of CrossCountry, Cross Country 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 Transport for Wales 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?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of CrossCountry, Cross Country 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).
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Trains from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) run on average 19 times per day, taking around 3h 27m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $48 (€39) but you can travel from only $24 (€20) by bus.
There are 8 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:46, the last at 21:35. The fastest train covers the 144 miles (232 km) distance in 3h 17m.
Distance 144 miles (232 km) |
Average train duration 3h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price $48 (€39) |
Trains per day 19 |
Direct trains 8 |
Fastest train 3h 17m |
First train 5:46 AM |
Last train 9:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Train companies: Transport for Wales, CrossCountry, Cross Country from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) trainsTransport for Wales, CrossCountry, Cross Country trains will get you between Cardiff Central (CDF) and Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) from $24 (€20). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Transport for Wales
CrossCountry
Cross Country
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)
- 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)
- Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30
- Sun: 07:00 - 22:30
- Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi
- Operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00
- Burger King
- Caffè Nero
- Carluccio’s
- Hotel Chocolat
- Starbucks
- The Pasty Shop
- Costa Coffee
- Pret a Manger
- Upper Crust
- McDonald's
- & more
- There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly
- Premier Inn Manchester City
- Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly
- Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30
- Sun: 07:00 - 22:30
- Located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level
- Bus lines: 1, 2, 3, 147
- Train lines: Northern, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Trains, Transport for Wales
Most popular train connections from Cardiff Central (CDF)
More options for your journey from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
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