Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) train with Great Western Railway

Thu, Jul 16
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Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
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2,000+ travel companies
Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
iryo
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU)

Showing times and prices for Jul 16

Cheapest price

$79

Average price

$94

Fastest journey

2 h 32 m

Average duration

2 h 32 m

Trains per day

17

Distance

138 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) 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 Southampton Central (SOU) will cost around $94 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $79.

Fast trains

Of the 17 trains that leave Cardiff Central (CDF) for Southampton Central (SOU) on Thu, Jul 16, 15 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Thu, Jul 16 the direct trains cover the 138 km distance in an average of 2 h 32 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 32 m .

On Thu, Jul 16 the slowest trains will take 2 h 33 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.

  • Great Western RailwayG15001
    6:28 AM2h35
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    9:03 AMSouthampton Central (SOU)
    $791One-way
    0 transfers
  • Great Western RailwayW34974
    8:27 AM2h37
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    11:04 AMSouthampton Central (SOU)
    $791One-way
    0 transfers
  • Great Western RailwayG15006
    9:28 AM2h34
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    12:02 PMSouthampton Central (SOU)
    $791One-way
    0 transfers
  • Great Western RailwayG15015
    2:30 PM2h33
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    5:03 PMSouthampton Central (SOU)
    $791One-way
    0 transfers
  • Great Western RailwayG15017
    3:30 PM2h32
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    6:02 PMSouthampton Central (SOU)
    $791One-way
    0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU)

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $19. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 39m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $19, and a train costs an average of $33.

Distance: 85 miles (138 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

$74

Average price

$29

Average price

Cheapest

$42

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 9m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 39m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

7h 2m

Average total duration

6h 32m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 42m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Great Western Railway

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) is a bus with an average price of $29 (€24).

This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU):

A bus is $45 (€37) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) costing on average $74 (€60).

The fastest way to travel from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) is by train with an average journey time of 2h 39m.

Other travel options to Southampton Central (SOU) take longer:

Bus takes on average 6h 32m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cardiff Central (CDF) and Southampton Central (SOU) including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 3m sooner (2h 39m by train vs 2h 42m by car). Tickets start at around $74 (€60) compared to roughly $42 (€34) 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.

Live departures

Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) train times

The table below shows live departures for Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) trains for today, Wednesday, July 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Great Western RailwayG15008
On time
10:30 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h32
1:02 PM Southampton Central (SOU)
0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayG15010
On time
11:30 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h34
2:04 PM Southampton Central (SOU)
0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayG15012
On time
12:30 PM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h33
3:03 PM Southampton Central (SOU)
0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayG15013
On time
1:30 PM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h32
4:02 PM Southampton Central (SOU)
0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayG15015
On time
2:30 PM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h33
5:03 PM Southampton Central (SOU)
0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayG15017
On time
3:30 PM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h32
6:02 PM Southampton Central (SOU)
0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayG15019
On time
4:27 PM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h36
7:03 PM Southampton Central (SOU)
0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayW35025
On time
5:27 PM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h37
8:04 PM Southampton Central (SOU)
0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayG15022
On time
6:30 PM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h34
9:04 PM Southampton Central (SOU)
0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayG15025
On time
7:28 PM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h39
10:07 PM Southampton Central (SOU)
0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayW35045
On time
8:30 PM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h37
11:07 PM Southampton Central (SOU)
0 transfersDirect
Thursday, July 16
Great Western RailwayW35431+CrossCountryG009955:07 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
3h35
8:42 AM Southampton Central (SOU)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayG150016:28 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h35
9:03 AM Southampton Central (SOU)0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayG150037:27 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h38
10:05 AM Southampton Central (SOU)0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayW349748:27 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h37
11:04 AM Southampton Central (SOU)0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayG150069:28 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h34
12:02 PM Southampton Central (SOU)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 Southampton Central (SOU) 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.

Thu
Jul 16
Fri
Jul 17
Sat
Jul 18
Sun
Jul 19
Mon
Jul 20
Tue
Jul 21
Wed
Jul 22

Why should you book Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) trains with Omio?

Great Western Railway as well as Great Western Railway (GWR) offer trains services from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU).
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU).

Why book with Omio vs Great Western Railway?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Great Western Railway, but also compare tickets for the likes of Great Western Railway (GWR) to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU).
  • 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 Great Western Railway with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU).

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • 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 Southampton Central (SOU).

Journey information

Overview: Train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU)

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 39m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $33 (€27) but you can travel from only $19 (€15) by bus.

There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:28, the last at 20:30. The fastest train covers the 85 miles (138 km) distance in 2h 32m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Bus from $19 (€15)
Distance
85 miles (138 km)
Average train duration
2h 39m
Cheapest ticket price
$33 (€27)
Trains per day
7
Direct trains
3
Fastest train
2h 32m
First train
5:28 AM
Last train
8:30 PM
Cheapest Month
May
Cheapest Day
Tue
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Mon
Least Busy Day
Sun
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Bus from $19 (€15)

Train companies: Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) trainsGreat Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) trains will get you between Cardiff Central (CDF) and Southampton Central (SOU) from $19 (€15). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Great Western Railway

About
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.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 32m
Cheapest Price
$33 (€27)
Great Western Railway frequency
7 a day
Luggage included
Two pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, dedicated luggage areas at end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches. First Class at-seat service on some routes
Seat reservation
Optional seat reservations available for a fee. Free in First Class
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

Great Western Railway (GWR)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 18m
Cheapest Price
$122 (€100)
Great Western Railway (GWR) frequency
16 a day

FAQs: Trains from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU)

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) 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 Southampton Central (SOU), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Train ticket prices from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) can vary. The cheapest ticket starts at $33 (€27), while the average price is around $74 (€60).
The train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) takes 2h 32m and runs 7 per day.
The first train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) leaves at 5:28 AM.
The distance by train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) is 85 miles (138 km).
The last train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) leaves at 8:30 PM.
There is no high speed train available from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU).
Yes, there is a direct train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU). This service operates 3 times per day, provided by Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR).
Unfortunately, there is no night train available from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU).
The cheapest way to get from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) is by bus, with a cost of around $19 (€15).
The train journey from Cardiff Central to Southampton Central offers a variety of scenic views, including stretches of picturesque countryside, glimpses of the Severn Estuary, and charming towns along the way, making it a pleasant and visually appealing trip.
A day trip from Cardiff Central to Southampton Central is not feasible as the journey duration is 2h 32m, which exceeds the 120-minute limit. Trains run 7 times per day.
Yes, you can take the train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU).
Since neither Cardiff Central (CDF) nor Southampton Central (SOU) are in the Schengen Area, passport requirements depend on the specific immigration rules of United Kingdom and United Kingdom. Entry and visa requirements can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's embassy or consulate.
Popular day trips by train from Southampton Central (SOU) include Bournemouth, London, Fareham, Cosham, Winchester.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) among Omio's users.
Items not allowed on trains typically include hazardous materials such as explosives, flammable liquids, corrosive substances, and illegal drugs. Additionally, large or bulky items that may obstruct aisles or emergency exits, as well as pets without proper carriers, may be restricted. Specific prohibited items can vary by train operator and region, so please check the rules for your particular journey.
Yes, rail passes such as the BritRail Pass are valid on most trains within the United Kingdom, offering unlimited travel on participating train operators for a set period.
The currency used in the United Kingdom is the British Pound Sterling (GBP). For travelers, using a card is generally more convenient and widely accepted, especially in cities and for transportation tickets, though carrying some cash can be useful for small purchases or in rural areas.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU)

Most Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) trains use the Cardiff Central to Southampton Central station pair. Use this guide to compare Cardiff Central (CDF) and Southampton Central (SOU) train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Cardiff
Arrival train stations in Southampton
Cardiff CentralCentral Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP, United Kingdom+44 3457114141WifiShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Cardiff Central from Cardiff city centre

Bus24, 25, 27, 86, 62, 30, 35, 21, 136, 7, 23, 63, 64 · 3m · $2 · every ~47 min
C1 · 5m · every ~8 min

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.

More options for your journey from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU)

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

Most popular trains to and from Southampton Central (SOU) and Cardiff Central (CDF)

HomeTrainsTrains in United KingdomCardiff Central (CDF) to Southampton Central (SOU) train

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