4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
Cheapest price
$80
Average price
$83
Fastest journey
3 h 8 m
Average duration
3 h 14 m
Trains per day
17
Distance
232 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF) is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF) will cost around $83 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $80.
Of the 17 trains that leave Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) for Cardiff Central (CDF) on Tue, May 26, 15 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 26 the direct trains cover the 232 km distance in an average of 3 h 14 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 8 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest trains will take 3 h 16 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.
G388666:27 AM3h25Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)9:52 AMCardiff Central (CDF)$801One-way0 transfers- W448387:30 PM3h32Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)11:02 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$801One-way0 transfers
- G388926:30 PM3h25Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)9:55 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$801One-way0 transfers
- G388739:30 AM3h15Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)12:45 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$801One-way0 transfers
- G3887410:30 AM3h24Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)1:54 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$801One-way0 transfers
- G388708:30 AM3h08Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)11:38 AMCardiff Central (CDF)$801One-way0 transfers
- G388739:30 AM3h15Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)12:45 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$801One-way0 transfers
- G388864:30 PM3h15Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)7:45 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$801One-way0 transfers
- G3887711:30 AM3h16Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)2:46 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$801One-way0 transfers
- G388853:30 PM3h16Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)6:46 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$801One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $22. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 26m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $22, and a train costs an average of $30.
Distance: 144 miles (232 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$83 Average price | $33 Average price Cheapest | $64 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 56m Average total duration Fastest 3h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 56m Average total duration 5h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 41m 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 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF):
A bus is $50 (€40) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF) costing on average $83 (€67).
Other travel options to Cardiff Central (CDF) take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 26m.
You'll arrive about 15m sooner (3h 26m by train vs 3h 41m by car). Tickets start at around $83 (€67) compared to roughly $64 (€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
Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF) train times
The table below shows live departures for Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF) trains for today, Monday, May 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 G01005 · G01101 | On time 8:25 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 4h01 | 12:26 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 1 transfer | |
| G38870 | Delayed 7:32 AM 8:30 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h08 | 11:38 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G38873 | On time 9:30 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h15 | 12:45 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G38874 | On time 10:30 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h24 | 1:54 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G38877 | On time 11:30 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h16 | 2:46 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G38878 | On time 12:30 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h17 | 3:47 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G38880 | On time 1:30 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h16 | 4:46 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G38882 | On time 2:30 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h16 | 5:46 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G38885 | On time 3:30 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h16 | 6:46 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G38886 | On time 4:30 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h15 | 7:45 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G38890 | On time 5:30 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h24 | 8:54 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G38892 | On time 6:30 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h25 | 9:55 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| W44838 | On time 7:30 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h32 | 11:02 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| W44831 | On time 8:30 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h53 | 12:23 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, May 26 | |||||
| G00997 · G01092 | 5:11 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 4h14 | 9:25 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 1 transfer | |
| G00997+G38864 | 5:11 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h33 | 8:44 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 1 transfer | |
| G38866 | 6:27 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h25 | 9:52 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| G38868 | 7:30 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h19 | 10:49 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF) 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 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF) 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 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF).
- 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 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF).
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 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF).
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF).
Journey information
Overview: Train from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF) run on average 17 times per day, taking around 3h 26m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $30 (€24) but you can travel from only $22 (€18) by bus.
There are 10 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:27, the last at 20:30. The fastest train covers the 144 miles (232 km) distance in 3h 6m.
Distance 144 miles (232 km) |
Average train duration 3h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price $30 (€24) |
Trains per day 17 |
Direct trains 10 |
Fastest train 3h 6m |
First train 5:27 AM |
Last train 8:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Train companies: Transport for Wales, CrossCountry from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF) trainsTransport for Wales, CrossCountry trains will get you between Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) and Cardiff Central (CDF) from $22 (€18). 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 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF) 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 Central (CDF), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
Wifi
Lockers
Parking
Dining
ATM
Taxis
Accessibility
WC
Hotel
Ticket Office
Bike Parking
Bike Rental
Car Rental
Information Desk
- 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
Wifi
ShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotel
Lounge
Lost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar 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)
Most popular train connections from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
More options for your journey from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Cardiff Central (CDF) and Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)
Most popular train connections to Cardiff Central (CDF)
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