- Must visit
National Museum Cardiff
Wales’s national art and natural history museum, with Impressionist paintings, geology, and major collections in an elegant civic building.
Cheapest price on Sep 18
kr672
Average ticket price on Sep 18
kr672
Fastest journey on Sep 18
4 h 2 m
Average journey duration on Sep 18
4 h 2 m
Trains on Sep 18
1
Distance
119 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Paignton to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Paignton to Cardiff will cost around kr672 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only kr672.
On Fri, Sep 18, we found 1 trains from Paignton to Cardiff, including 1 direct services.
On Fri, Sep 18 the direct trains cover the 119 km distance in an average of 4 h 2 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 2 m .
On Fri, Sep 18 the slowest trains will take 4 h 2 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.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Paignton to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of kr279 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 11m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of kr279, while a train costs an average of kr610.
Distance: 73 miles (119 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
kr610 Average price | kr279 Average price Cheapest | kr313 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 11m Average total duration Fastest 2h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 24m Average total duration 4h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 24m 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 Paignton to Cardiff:
A bus is kr330 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Paignton to Cardiff costing on average kr610.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 54m.
Tickets start at around kr610 compared to roughly kr313 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about kr-296.40. The journey takes 2h 41m versus 2h 24m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Paignton to Cardiff trains for today, Thursday, September 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:15 AM Paignton | 4h02 | 11:17 AM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:15 AM Paignton | 4h02 | 12:17 PM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Paignton to Cardiff run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 41m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at kr329 but you can travel from only kr213 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 05:07, the last at 22:30. The fastest train covers the 73 miles (119 km) distance in 2h 16m.
Distance 73 miles (119 km) |
Average train duration 2h 41m |
Cheapest ticket price kr329 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 2h 16m |
First train 5:07 AM |
Last train 10:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Best time to book 56 days |
Discover the best of Cardiff — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cardiff trip today.
Wales’s national art and natural history museum, with Impressionist paintings, geology, and major collections in an elegant civic building.
Open-air history museum with rescued Welsh buildings, crafts, and exhibitions that bring everyday life from different eras vividly to life.
Compact city-centre museum telling Cardiff’s story through local archaeology, industry, and community displays inside the Old Library.
Revitalised waterfront district with basin views, modern landmarks, trails, and easy access to culture, public art, and waterside walks.
Large central park behind the castle, ideal for riverside walks, arboretum views, sculptures, and quick escapes from the busy centre.
Victorian shopping arcade packed with independent boutiques and period detail, representing Cardiff’s famous arcade culture at its best.
A Welsh breakfast staple of seaweed cooked into a savoury puree, often served with oats or alongside bacon and cockles. It is a classic taste of Welsh coastal cooking.
Cockles gathered from the Welsh coast, commonly eaten with laverbread. They are a long-standing local delicacy linked to South Wales seaside food culture.
A traditional Welsh broth made with lamb or beef, root vegetables, and leeks. It is hearty, homely, and closely associated with Welsh family cooking.
Refined modern British dining with tasting menus in an elegant city-centre setting. It is one of Cardiff’s most acclaimed fine dining restaurants.
A stylish venue known for seasonal Welsh ingredients, creative small plates, and a relaxed but polished atmosphere near the city centre.
Historic indoor market ideal for casual local food, Welsh cakes, fresh produce, and traditional snacks. It offers a lively everyday taste of Cardiff.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local transit and casual meals are manageable for most visitors.
Restaurants often add a 10-12.5% service charge; if not, tip around 10%. Taxi tips are optional, often rounded up. Cafes usually do not require tipping, but small tips are appreciated.
Official public transport app
Cardiff Central -> St Mary Street, Cardiff
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Paignton 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.

Most Paignton to Cardiff trains use the Paignton to Cardiff Central station pair. Use this guide to compare Paignton and Cardiff train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Paignton has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Paignton.
Ticket office support is available at Paignton.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Paignton: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Paignton: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Paignton: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access note: Step Free Category B1 Station Step free access available to both platforms, access between platforms via level crossing to the north of the station. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible public telephones: The public phones are not accessible, Accessible taxis: Contact local taxi companies for details of accessible taxis or member of staff, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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 options include: Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen, Pret a Manger, Tesco Express
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are located outside of the main entrance.
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30, Sat: 05:40 - 21:30, Sun: 07:30 - 21:30.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cardiff Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Cardiff Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
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.
Nearby hotels include Clayton Hotel Cardiff, Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Travelodge Cardiff Central.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need