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4.6
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Birmingham to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $14 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 43m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $14, while a train costs an average of $41.
Distance: 88 miles (142 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$41 Average price | $14 Average price Cheapest | $52 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 43m Average total duration Fastest 2h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 48m Average total duration 3h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 16m 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 Birmingham to Cardiff:
A bus is $44 (€36) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Cardiff costing on average $66 (€54).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 52m.
You'll arrive about 21m sooner (1h 55m by train vs 2h 16m by car). Tickets start at around $66 (€54) compared to roughly $52 (€42) 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.
Travel optionsfrom Birmingham to Cardiff
How to get from Birmingham to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Birmingham to Cardiff is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus10:15 AM2h50Birmingham1:05 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)$141One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus10:15 AM2h50Birmingham1:05 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)$141One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- G011043:30 PM1h52Birmingham New Street (BHM)5:22 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$1171One-way0 transfers
Other options
- G011167:30 PM1h52Birmingham New Street (BHM)9:22 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$1171One-way0 transfers
- G0109011:12 AM1h53Birmingham New Street (BHM)1:05 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$1171One-way0 transfers
- G010961:30 PM1h53Birmingham New Street (BHM)3:23 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$1171One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus8:50 AM4h25Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway1:15 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)$181One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus1:00 PM4h05Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway5:05 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)$201One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus4:55 PM3h30Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway8:25 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)$201One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
Compare bus and train 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.
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FAQs: Travel from Birmingham to Cardiff
Travel to Cardiff easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Birmingham to Cardiff.
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Cardiff:
A bus is $27 (€22) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Cardiff costing on average $41 (€33).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 48m.
- Around 12 buses per day.
- Around 8 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Birmingham and Cardiff as scheduled services by bus and train can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Birmingham New Street (BHM) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
- Buses mostly depart from Birmingham, Coach Station and arrive in Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
- Travel with National Express, Megabus, FlixBus to go to Cardiff by bus.
- Travel with CrossCountry, Transport for Wales, West Midlands Trains, Cross Country to go to Cardiff by train.
- 7 direct buses per day with National Express, Megabus, FlixBus.
- 3 direct trains per day with CrossCountry, Cross Country.
Travelling from Birmingham to Cardiff: related information
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