The cheapest and fastest trains from Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
Cheapest price
$92
Average price
$138
Fastest journey
3 h 26 m
Average duration
3 h 31 m
Trains per day
6
Distance
241 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Stansted Airport (SSD) 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 Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF) will cost around $138 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $92.
It's difficult to get from Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF) without transferring at least 2 times.
P46656+
Tube from London Liverpool Street to London Paddington+
P226238:25 AM3h45Stansted Airport (SSD)12:10 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$921One-way2 transfers
P46620+
G24667+
P226217:41 AM3h26Stansted Airport (SSD)11:07 AMCardiff Central (CDF)$1211One-way2 transfers
P46644+
G23784+
P226228:09 AM3h31Stansted Airport (SSD)11:40 AMCardiff Central (CDF)$1211One-way2 transfers
P46551+
G24845+
P226186:08 AM3h28Stansted Airport (SSD)9:36 AMCardiff Central (CDF)$1591One-way2 transfers
P46561+
Tube from London Liverpool Street to London Paddington+
P226196:25 AM3h44Stansted Airport (SSD)10:09 AMCardiff Central (CDF)$1591One-way2 transfers
P46620+
G24667+
P226217:41 AM3h26Stansted Airport (SSD)11:07 AMCardiff Central (CDF)$1211One-way2 transfers
P46551+
G24845+
P226186:08 AM3h28Stansted Airport (SSD)9:36 AMCardiff Central (CDF)$1591One-way2 transfers
P46596+
G24969+
P226207:09 AM3h28Stansted Airport (SSD)10:37 AMCardiff Central (CDF)$1761One-way2 transfers
P46644+
G23784+
P226228:09 AM3h31Stansted Airport (SSD)11:40 AMCardiff Central (CDF)$1211One-way2 transfers
P46561+
Tube from London Liverpool Street to London Paddington+
P226196:25 AM3h44Stansted Airport (SSD)10:09 AMCardiff Central (CDF)$1591One-way2 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $31. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 1m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $31, and a train costs an average of $43.
Distance: 149 miles (241 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$83 Average price | $42 Average price Cheapest | $71 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 31m Average total duration Fastest 3h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 49m Average total duration 5h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 30m 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 Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF):
A bus is $41 (€33) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF) costing on average $83 (€66).
Other travel options to Cardiff Central (CDF) take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 19m.
You'll arrive about 29m sooner (3h 1m by train vs 3h 30m by car). Tickets start at around $83 (€66) compared to roughly $71 (€56) 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
Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF) train times
The table below shows live departures for Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF) trains for tomorrow, Thursday, May 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P46551+ G24845+ P22618 | 6:08 AM Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h28 | 9:36 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 transfers | |
P46561+ Tube from London Liverpool Street to London Paddington+ P22619 | 6:25 AM Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h44 | 10:09 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 transfers | |
P46596+ G24969+ P22620 | 7:09 AM Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h28 | 10:37 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 transfers | |
P46620+ G24667+ P22621 | 7:41 AM Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h26 | 11:07 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 transfers | |
P46644+ G23784+ P22622 | 8:09 AM Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h31 | 11:40 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 transfers | |
P46656+ Tube from London Liverpool Street to London Paddington+ P22623 | 8:25 AM Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h45 | 12:10 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Stansted Airport (SSD) 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.
May 07
May 08
May 09
May 10
May 11
May 12
May 13
Why should you book Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF) trains with Omio?
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 Stansted Express to find the best option for your trip from Stansted Airport (SSD) 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 Great Western Railway with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF).
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF).
Journey information
Overview: Train from Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
Trains from Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF) run on average 8 times per day, taking around 3h 1m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $43 (€34) but you can travel from only $31 (€25) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 04:58, the last at 13:58. The fastest train covers the 149 miles (241 km) distance in 3h 19m.
Distance 149 miles (241 km) |
Average train duration 3h 1m |
Cheapest ticket price $43 (€34) |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 3h 19m |
First train 4:58 AM |
Last train 1:58 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Train companies: Great Western Railway, Stansted Express from Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF) trainsGreat Western Railway, Stansted Express trains will get you between Stansted Airport (SSD) and Cardiff Central (CDF) from $31 (€25). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Great Western Railway
Stansted Express
FAQs: Trains from Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Stansted Airport (SSD) 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 Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
- 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 Stansted Airport (SSD)
More options for your journey from Stansted Airport (SSD) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
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