- 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
$0.00
Average price
$-0.01
Fastest journey
2 h 35 m
Average duration
4 h 12 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
142 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Telford to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
It's difficult to get from Telford to Cardiff without transferring at least once.








Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Telford to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $28. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 31m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $28, and a train costs an average of $49.
Distance: 88 miles (142 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$49 Average price | $36 Average price Cheapest | $39 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 1m Average total duration Fastest 2h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 14m Average total duration 3h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 36m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.4kg 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 Telford to Cardiff:
A bus is $14 (€11) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Telford to Cardiff costing on average $49 (€40).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 44m.
You'll arrive about 5m sooner (2h 31m by train vs 2h 36m by car). Tickets start at around $49 (€40) compared to roughly $39 (€32) 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.
The table below shows live departures for Telford to Cardiff trains for today, Tuesday, July 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G38352 · G38868 | On time 7:59 AM Telford Central (TFC) | 2h50 | 10:49 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 1 transfer | |
G38914+ C16987 | Delayed 8:13 AM 8:33 AMTelford Central (TFC) | 2h42 | 11:15 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 1 transfer | |
G38585 · G38870 | On time 9:00 AM Telford Central (TFC) | 2h38 | 11:38 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 1 transfer | |
G01101+ C16885 | Delayed 9:30 AM 9:18 AMTelford Central (TFC) | 3h08 | 12:26 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 1 transfer | |
G38356 · G38873 | On time 9:58 AM Telford Central (TFC) | 2h46 | 12:44 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) | 1 transfer |
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 Telford to Cardiff run on average 5 times per day, taking around 2h 31m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $49 (€40) but you can travel from only $28 (€23) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 04:08, the last at 22:24. The fastest train covers the 88 miles (142 km) distance in 2h 38m.
Distance 88 miles (142 km) |
Average train duration 2h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price $49 (€40) |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 2h 38m |
First train 4:08 AM |
Last train 10:24 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 7 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 Telford 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 Telford to Cardiff trains use the Telford Central to Cardiff Central station pair. Use this guide to compare Telford and Cardiff train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Telford Central has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Telford Central.
Ticket office support is available at Telford Central. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 0248998, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Telford Central: Parking, WC.
Available at Telford Central: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Telford Central: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Accessible ticket machines: There are no accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Oakengates is 1 km from Telford city centre. Public transport options include:
Oakengates has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Oakengates.
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0800 0248998, Passenger Information Systems: Announcements.
Available at Oakengates: Parking.
Available at Oakengates: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Oakengates: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are not available, Accessible ticket machines: There are no accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, 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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need