Guildford to Cardiff train with Great Western Railway

Thu, May 28
+ Add return
Great Western Railway
South Western Railway
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
2,000+ travel companies
Great Western Railway
South Western Railway
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
2,000+ travel companies
QR-Code
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
rate4.9
42K ratings
Google Play
rate4.6
136K reviews

The cheapest and fastest trains from Guildford to Cardiff

Showing times and prices for May 28

Cheapest price

$81

Average price

$82

Fastest journey

2 h 26 m

Average duration

2 h 29 m

Trains per day

3

Distance

183 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Guildford to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Guildford to Cardiff will cost around $82 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $81.

Fast trains

Of the 3 trains that leave Guildford for Cardiff on Thu, May 28, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Thu, May 28 the direct trains cover the 183 km distance in an average of 2 h 29 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 26 m .

On Thu, May 28 the slowest trains will take 2 h 34 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 Railway
    10:42 AM2h34
    Guildford
    1:16 PMCardiff
    $811One-way
    0 transfers
  • Great Western Railway
    9:44 AM2h26
    Guildford
    12:10 PMCardiff
    $821One-way
    0 transfers
  • Great Western Railway
    8:44 AM2h26
    Guildford
    11:10 AMCardiff
    $831One-way
    0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Guildford to Cardiff

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Guildford to Cardiff 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 10m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $19, and a train costs an average of $51.

Distance: 113 miles (183 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

$83

Average price

$34

Average price

Cheapest

$50

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

2h 40m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 10m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 32m

Average total duration

5h 2m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 49m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.5kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

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

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Guildford to Cardiff is a bus with an average price of $34 (€28).

This is compared to other travel options from Guildford to Cardiff:

A bus is $49 (€40) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Guildford to Cardiff costing on average $83 (€67).

The fastest way to travel from Guildford to Cardiff is by train with an average journey time of 2h 10m.

Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:

Bus takes on average 5h 2m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Guildford and Cardiff including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Guildford to Cardiff 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 39m sooner (2h 10m by train vs 2h 49m by car). Tickets start at around $83 (€67) compared to roughly $50 (€41) 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

Guildford to Cardiff train times

The table below shows live departures for Guildford to Cardiff trains for tomorrow, Thursday, May 28. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Great Western Railway8:44 AM Guildford
2h26
11:10 AM Cardiff0 transfersDirect
Great Western Railway9:44 AM Guildford
2h26
12:10 PM Cardiff0 transfersDirect
Great Western Railway10:42 AM Guildford
2h34
1:16 PM Cardiff0 transfersDirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Guildford to Cardiff 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
May 28
Fri
May 29
Sat
May 30
Sun
May 31
Mon
Jun 01
Tue
Jun 02
Wed
Jun 03

Why should you book Guildford to Cardiff trains with Omio?

Great Western Railway as well as South Western Railway or Great Western Railway (GWR) offer trains services from Guildford to Cardiff.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Guildford to Cardiff.

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 South Western Railway or Great Western Railway (GWR) to find the best option for your trip from Guildford to Cardiff.
  • 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 Guildford to Cardiff.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of South Western Railway or Great Western Railway (GWR) to find the best option for your trip from Guildford to Cardiff.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Guildford to Cardiff.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Guildford to Cardiff

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Guildford to Cardiff run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 10m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $51 (€41) but you can travel from only $19 (€15) by bus.

The earliest train runs at 05:07, the last at 22:43. The fastest train covers the 113 miles (183 km) distance in 2h 18m.

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
113 miles (183 km)
Average train duration
2h 10m
Cheapest ticket price
$51 (€41)
Trains per day
6
Fastest train
2h 18m
First train
5:07 AM
Last train
10:43 PM
Cheapest Month
Feb
Cheapest Day
Sun
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Jul - Sep
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Fri
Best time to book
28 days
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, South Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) from Guildford to Cardiff trainsGreat Western Railway, South Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) trains will get you between Guildford and Cardiff 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 18m
Cheapest Price
$51 (€41)
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

South Western Railway

About
South Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom, providing services in the south and south-west of England. It operates a variety of train types, including high-speed trains, local stopping services, and suburban commuter trains. It also offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Off-Peak, and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for South Western Railway include London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour, London Waterloo to Weymouth, and London Waterloo to Bournemouth.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
3h 33m
Cheapest Price
$185 (€149)
South Western Railway frequency
10 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and designated luggage areas at end of carriages
Cancellation Policy
Refund depends on ticket type and timing of cancellation
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled by operator
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar service with hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for a fee, free for some ticket types
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free, dogs must be on lead
Quiet zone

Great Western Railway (GWR)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 9m
Cheapest Price
$174 (€140)
Great Western Railway (GWR) frequency
15 a day

Complete guide to Cardiff

Things to do in Cardiff

Discover the best of Cardiff — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cardiff trip today.

  • Must visit

National Museum Cardiff

Major national museum with art, natural history, and geology collections in the city centre. Best known for its impressive Impressionist and Welsh art galleries.

  • Must visit

St Fagans National Museum of History

Open-air museum showing Welsh life through historic buildings moved from across Wales. One of the country’s most loved cultural attractions.

  • Recommended

Museum of Cardiff

Compact city museum covering Cardiff’s growth from market town to capital, with local stories, objects, and interactive displays.

Pound sterling

Moderate by UK standards. Pub meals and chain cafes are reasonable, while central hotels and upscale dining cost more.

Average meal costs

Budget
GBP 8-15 for fast food, cafes, or takeaway.
Mid-range
GBP 18-35 per person at a casual restaurant.
Fine dining
GBP 60+ per person at upscale restaurants.
Coffee
GBP 3-4.50 for a cappuccino or latte.

Tipping culture

Service charge is not always included. Tip 10-12.5% in restaurants for good service. Round up in taxis. Tipping in pubs and cafes is optional.

FAQs: Trains from Guildford to Cardiff

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Guildford to Cardiff 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 Cardiff, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Train ticket prices from Guildford to Cardiff can vary. The cheapest ticket starts at $51 (€41), while the average price is around $83 (€67).
The train from Guildford to Cardiff takes 2h 18m and runs 6 per day.
The first train from Guildford to Cardiff leaves at 5:07 AM.
The distance by train from Guildford to Cardiff is 113 miles (183 km).
The last train from Guildford to Cardiff leaves at 10:43 PM.
There is no high speed train available from Guildford to Cardiff.
There is no direct train service currently available from Guildford to Cardiff.
Unfortunately, there is no night train available from Guildford to Cardiff.
The train station in Guildford that goes to Cardiff is Guildford station (GLD), which connects to Cardiff Central (CDF).
The cheapest way to get from Guildford to Cardiff is by bus, with a cost of around $19 (€15).
The train journey from Guildford to Cardiff offers a mix of urban and countryside views, passing through the rolling hills of the English countryside, the Severn Estuary, and entering Wales with scenic landscapes along the way.
A day trip from Guildford to Cardiff is not feasible as the journey takes 2h 18m. Trains run 6 times per day, covering a distance of 113 miles (183 km).
In Cardiff, you can enjoy a variety of activities and sights. Attend performances at the Millennium Centre, explore the vibrant nightlife in the city center, or take a scenic boat tour around Cardiff Bay. For adventure, visit Cardiff International White Water for rafting and kayaking. Shop and dine at Cardiff Market. Discover history at Cardiff Castle and St Fagans National Museum of History, explore art and culture at the National Museum Cardiff, and relax in Bute Park. Cardiff Bay also offers dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions.
A visit of 2 to 3 days is typically sufficient to explore Cardiff's main attractions, such as Cardiff Castle, the National Museum, and Cardiff Bay, while allowing time for leisure and dining experiences.
Yes, you can take the train from Guildford to Cardiff.
Since neither Guildford nor Cardiff 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 Cardiff include Swansea, Bristol, Bath, Newport, Gloucester.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Guildford to Cardiff 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.
In Cardiff, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas like Cardiff Central Station and popular tourist spots. Taxi scams can occur, so it’s advisable to use licensed taxis or reputable ride-hailing apps. Additionally, travelers should be aware of occasional street distractions designed to divert attention while accomplices attempt theft. Staying vigilant and securing personal belongings helps ensure a safe visit.
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 Guildford to Cardiff

Guildford
Cardiff
The major train station for departures in Guildford is Guildford. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Guildford for your trip from Guildford to Cardiff.
Amenities at train station
ShoppingShopping
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
HotelHotel
LoungeLounge
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
Bike RentalBike Rental
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:10 - 22:00 Saturday 06:10 - 22:00 Sunday 06:20 - 22:00
Parking
Parking
  • Car Park: Smart Car Spaces
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Staff help available: Yes
  • Step free access coverage: Yes
  • Step free access note: There is level access to the booking hall and all platforms from the main entrance in Walnut Tree Close. There is no step free access from the Guildford Park Road entrance. There is step free access to and interchange between all platforms via steep ramps. A staff operated powered wheelchair is available for customers. Please speak to a member of staff or our Assisted Travel team.
  • Accessible taxis: The taxi rank is located outside the main station entrance (platform 2)
  • Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
  • Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details
  • Accessible toilets: Yes
  • Ramp for train access: Yes
  • Wheelchairs available: Yes
  • Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
WC
WC
  • Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 2, next to the subway ramp. The National key toilets are located on Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key. A radar key is available from station staff upon request. A 'National Key Scheme' key [RADAR] can be purchased by contacting the following. Address: 12 City Forum, 250 City Road, London, EC1V 8AF. Tel: 020 7250 3222. Minicom: 020 7250 4119. Fax: 020 7250 0212. Email: [email protected]
  • National key toilets: Yes
  • Baby changing facilities: Yes
Lounge
Lounge
  • Waiting rooms location: yes
Bike Parking
Bike Parking
  • Storage sheltered: Yes
  • Storage location: Car parks 1 & 2
  • Storage CCTV: Yes
Public transit options for Guildford
  • Location for Rail Replacement Services: Bus lay-by in Station Forecourt off Walnut Tree Close.
Amenities at train station
WifiWifi
ParkingParking
DiningDining
TaxisTaxis
WCWC
HotelHotel
LoungeLounge
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:30 - 13:00 Saturday 09:00 - 14:00 Sunday Closed
WC
WC
  • Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 2.
  • National key toilets: No
  • Baby changing facilities: No
Lounge
Lounge
  • Waiting rooms location: Both platforms.
Bike Parking
Bike Parking
  • Storage sheltered: Yes
  • Storage location: Platform 2 and car park
  • Storage CCTV: Yes
Public transit options for London Road (Guildford)
  • Location for Rail Replacement Services: Guildford Side of station - Station Forecourt

The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.

ios-badge
android-badge
Hand With Phone