- 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
$8
Average price
$13
Fastest journey
51 m
Average duration
52 m
Trains per day
19
Distance
55 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Swansea to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Swansea to Cardiff will cost around $13 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $8.
Of the 19 trains that leave Swansea for Cardiff on Mon, Jul 27, 19 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jul 27 the direct trains cover the 55 km distance in an average of 52 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 51 m .
On Mon, Jul 27 the slowest trains will take 52 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.
G39205
G39193
G38955
W35188
G15046
G38294
G15049
W35188
W35167
W35434Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Swansea to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $5. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 57m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $5, and a train costs an average of $4.
Distance: 34 miles (55 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$12 Average price | $6 Average price Cheapest | $13 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 27m Average total duration Fastest 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 49m Average total duration 1h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 23m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Swansea to Cardiff:
A bus is $6 (€6) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Swansea to Cardiff costing on average $12 (€12).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 19m.
The journey is about 26m faster (57m by train vs 1h 23m by car) and roughly $0.27 (€0.27) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($12 (€12) vs $13 (€13)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales, Great Western Railway (GWR), Transport for Wales.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Swansea to Cardiff trains for tomorrow, Monday, July 27. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W35167 | 6:26 AM Swansea station (SWA) | 0h52 | 7:18 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G39158 | 6:31 AM Swansea station (SWA) | 1h08 | 7:39 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G15041 | 7:18 AM Swansea station (SWA) | 0h52 | 8:10 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G39165 | 7:23 AM Swansea station (SWA) | 1h09 | 8:32 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38284 | 7:52 AM Swansea station (SWA) | 0h55 | 8:47 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W35432 | 8:23 AM Swansea station (SWA) | 0h53 | 9:16 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G39174 | 8:28 AM Swansea station (SWA) | 1h10 | 9:38 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38950 | 8:54 AM Swansea station (SWA) | 0h56 | 9:50 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W35178 | 9:22 AM Swansea station (SWA) | 0h53 | 10:15 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G39180 | 9:27 AM Swansea station (SWA) | 1h11 | 10:38 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G15045 | 10:22 AM Swansea station (SWA) | 0h53 | 11:15 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G15046 | 11:22 AM Swansea station (SWA) | 0h55 | 12:17 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G39193 | 11:27 AM Swansea station (SWA) | 1h11 | 12:38 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W35434 | 12:22 PM Swansea station (SWA) | 0h52 | 1:14 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38955 | 12:54 PM Swansea station (SWA) | 0h56 | 1:50 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W35188 | 1:22 PM Swansea station (SWA) | 0h52 | 2:14 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G39205 | 1:27 PM Swansea station (SWA) | 1h11 | 2:38 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G38294 | 1:52 PM Swansea station (SWA) | 0h51 | 2:43 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G15049 | 2:22 PM Swansea station (SWA) | 0h52 | 3:14 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 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 Swansea to Cardiff run on average 8 times per day, taking around 57m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $4 (€4) if you book in advance.
There are 8 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 34 miles (55 km) distance in 51m.
Distance 34 miles (55 km) |
Average train duration 57m |
Cheapest ticket price $4 (€4) |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 8 |
Fastest train 51m |
First train 12:01 AM |
Last train 11:58 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 21 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 Swansea 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 Swansea to Cardiff trains use the Swansea to Cardiff Central station pair, with some services arriving at Cathays. Use this guide to compare Swansea and Cardiff train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Swansea has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Swansea.
ATMs are available at Swansea.
Ticket office support is available at Swansea.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Swansea: Parking, WC.
Available at Swansea: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Swansea: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A. Step free access to all platforms, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible public telephones: on concourse, 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: No.
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.
Cathays has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Cathays.
Ticket office support is available at Cathays. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 03333 211202, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cathays: Parking.
Available at Cathays: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cathays: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B3. While both platforms are step-free, there is no facility for wheelchair users, mobility scooter users or persons with reduced mobility to cross between Platform 1 and 2 due to a steep footbridge. Customers who have travelled from the Valleys and wish to access the University or the Civic Centre are advised to travel to Queen Street station, change onto a North-bound service and alight at Cathays on the return service, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) take cash, and major debit and credit cards. The machine on the Cardiff-bound platform is only available during staffing hours. The machine on the Pontypridd-bound platform is available all the time, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Nearby hotels include Travelodge.
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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