4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff to Manchester Airport
Cheapest price
$82
Average price
$82
Fastest journey
4 h 22 m
Average duration
4 h 22 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
218 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff to Manchester Airport is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Manchester Airport will cost around $82 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $82.
Of the 1 trains that leave Cardiff for Manchester Airport on Fri, May 08, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 08 the direct trains cover the 218 km distance in an average of 4 h 22 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 22 m .
On Fri, May 08 the slowest trains will take 4 h 22 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.
8:53 AM4h22Cardiff1:15 PMManchester Airport$821One-way0 transfers
- 8:53 AM4h22Cardiff1:15 PMManchester Airport$821One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Cardiff to Manchester Airport
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Manchester Airport 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 $46.
Distance: 135 miles (218 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$88 Average price | $32 Average price Cheapest | $63 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 14m Average total duration Fastest 3h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 7m Average total duration 4h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 16m 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 to Manchester Airport:
A bus is $56 (€45) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Manchester Airport costing on average $88 (€70).
Other travel options to Manchester Airport take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 37m.
You'll arrive about 32m sooner (3h 44m by train vs 4h 16m by car). Tickets start at around $88 (€70) compared to roughly $63 (€50) 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.
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 to Manchester Airport train times
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Manchester Airport trains for tomorrow, Friday, May 8. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:53 AM Cardiff | 4h22 | 1:15 PM Manchester Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Manchester Airport by bus or train
Compare bus and train 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.
May 08
May 09
May 10
May 11
May 12
May 13
May 14
Why should you book Cardiff to Manchester Airport 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 or Transport for Wales to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff to Manchester Airport.
- 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 bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff to Manchester Airport.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of CrossCountry or Transport for Wales to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff to Manchester Airport.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Cardiff to Manchester Airport.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cardiff to Manchester Airport
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Cardiff to Manchester Airport run on average 7 times per day, taking around 3h 44m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $46 (€37) but you can travel from only $18 (€14) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 08:53, the last at 12:54. The fastest train covers the 135 miles (218 km) distance in 3h 50m.
Distance 135 miles (218 km) |
Average train duration 3h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price $46 (€37) |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 3h 50m |
First train 8:53 AM |
Last train 12:54 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Train companies: Transport for Wales, CrossCountry from Cardiff to Manchester Airport trainsTransport for Wales, CrossCountry trains will get you between Cardiff and Manchester Airport from $18 (€14). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Transport for Wales
CrossCountry
FAQs: Trains from Cardiff to Manchester Airport
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Manchester Airport 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, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Cardiff to Manchester Airport
Wifi
Shopping
Parking
Dining
ATM
Taxis
Accessibility
WC
Hotel
Lounge
Lost and Found Office
Ticket Office
Bike Parking
Bike Rental
Car Rental
- 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)
ParkingDiningAccessibilityHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental
Information Desk- Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 07:30 - 18:30 Saturday 09:30 - 15:30 Sunday Closed
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Category B3. While both platforms are step-free, there is no facility for wheelchair users, mobility scooter users or persons with reduced mobility to cross between Platform 1 and 2 due to a steep footbridge. Customers who have travelled from the Valleys and wish to access the University or the Civic Centre are advised to travel to Queen Street station, change onto a North-bound service and alight at Cathays on the return service.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) take cash, and major debit and credit cards. The machine on the Cardiff-bound platform is only available during staffing hours. The machine on the Pontypridd-bound platform is available all the time.
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Travelodge
- Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 03333 211202
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Arrival screens
- Onward travel information: The nearest bus stop is on Park Place
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: At the bus stops adjacent to the Cardiff University Students' Union on Park Place
ParkingDiningTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalInformation Desk- Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 07:40 - 18:00 Sunday 10:00 - 15:30 Temporary opening hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machines are near the main entrance and take cash and major debit and credit cards.
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 4. The National key toilets are located on the Main Concourse to the right of the Ticket Office; these toilets are operated by a radar key and are only available during staffing hours.
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Travelodge
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: to the right of the station front
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 03333 211202
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Onward travel information: Limited service from stop outside station Mondays to Fridays
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: For services towards Cardiff Central use the bus stop at the front of the station. For services towards Cathays use the bus stop in front of the shop opposite the station entrance. Please ask a member of station staff if you are unsure of which stop to use.
More options for your journey from Cardiff to Manchester Airport
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Manchester Airport and Cardiff
Most popular train connections to Manchester Airport
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