- Must visit
National Museum Cardiff
Major national museum with fine art, natural history, and geology collections in the city center. A top cultural stop in Cardiff.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from St Ives to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $35. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 5h 4m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $35, and a train costs an average of $185.
Distance: 133 miles (215 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$185 Average price | $35 Average price Cheapest | $77 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 34m Average total duration Fastest 5h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 15m Average total duration 6h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 39m 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 St Ives to Cardiff:
A bus is $150 (€123) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from St Ives to Cardiff costing on average $185 (€152).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 45m.
Tickets start at around $185 (€152) compared to roughly $77 (€63) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-107.80 (€-88.67). The journey takes 5h 4m versus 3h 39m 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 St Ives to Cardiff trains for today, Saturday, July 11. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:36 PM St Ives | 5h40 | 10:16 PM Cardiff | 1 transfer | |
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 St Ives to Cardiff run on average 6 times per day, taking around 5h 4m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $185 (€152) but you can travel from only $35 (€29) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 04:25, the last at 22:30. The fastest train covers the 133 miles (215 km) distance in 5h 35m.
Distance 133 miles (215 km) |
Average train duration 5h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price $185 (€152) |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 5h 35m |
First train 4:25 AM |
Last train 10:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Cardiff — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cardiff trip today.
Major national museum with fine art, natural history, and geology collections in the city center. A top cultural stop in Cardiff.
Open-air museum showing Welsh historic buildings, crafts, and daily life. One of Wales’ most important heritage attractions.
City museum covering Cardiff’s social history, industries, and urban development through accessible local stories and objects.
Revitalized waterfront district with striking public buildings, boardwalk-style walks, and some of the city’s most photographed views.
Large central park behind the castle with riverside paths, mature trees, and easy walking routes from the city center.
Historic Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades that define central Cardiff’s character and are popular for strolling and photography.
Traditional Welsh soup or stew made with lamb or beef, leeks, potatoes, and root vegetables. It is one of Wales’s best-known comfort foods and strongly associated with Cardiff and South Wales.
Toast topped with a savoury sauce of melted cheese, mustard, and ale or milk. It is a classic Welsh dish often served as a snack or light meal in pubs and cafes.
A traditional Welsh vegetarian sausage made with cheese, leeks, and breadcrumbs. It is a distinctive meat-free dish from South Wales and commonly found on local menus.
Established steak restaurant known for quality meat, wood-fired cooking, and an energetic dining room. A strong choice for Welsh beef and special-occasion meals.
A respected fine-dining venue serving polished British dishes in a unique setting, known for professional service and a memorable experience.
Well-known restaurant in a former bank vault, popular for modern Welsh and British cooking, especially pork dishes, with a stylish but relaxed atmosphere.
Moderate by UK standards. Meals and transport are reasonable, while central hotels cost more on weekends and during major events.
Service charge may be added in restaurants. If not, tip 10-12.5% for good service. Round up for taxis. Tipping is not expected in pubs or for takeaway.
Official public transport app
Cardiff Central, Cardiff -> Cardiff City Centre, Cardiff
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from St Ives 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 St Ives to Cardiff trains use the St Ives to Cardiff Central station pair, with some services arriving at Cardiff Queen Street. Use this guide to compare St Ives and Cardiff train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
St Ives has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at St Ives.
Wi-Fi is available at St Ives.
Ticket office support is available at St Ives.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at St Ives: Parking, Taxis.
Available at St Ives: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at St Ives: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step Free Category A Station - This station has step free acccess to the platform. 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 may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, 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.
Cardiff Queen Street has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Cardiff Queen Street.
Ticket office support is available at Cardiff Queen Street. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 03333 211202, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cardiff Queen Street: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Cardiff Queen Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff Queen Street: 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.
Nearby hotels include Travelodge.
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