4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cardiff to Birmingham
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Birmingham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $22 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 25m. 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 $22, while a train costs an average of $64.
Distance: 88 miles (142 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$64 Average price | $22 Average price Cheapest | $51 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 25m Average total duration Fastest 1h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 51m Average total duration 3h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 18m 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 Cardiff to Birmingham:
A bus is $43 (€36) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Birmingham costing on average $64 (€54).
Other travel options to Birmingham take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 51m.
You'll arrive about 23m sooner (1h 55m by train vs 2h 18m by car). Tickets start at around $64 (€54) compared to roughly $51 (€43) 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 Cardiff to Birmingham
How to get from Cardiff to Birmingham by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cardiff to Birmingham is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus6:10 AM3h45Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)9:55 AMBirmingham$201One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus6:10 AM3h45Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)9:55 AMBirmingham$201One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- NX11212:25 PM2h35Cardiff, Sophia Gardens3:00 PMBirmingham, Coach Station$351One-way0 transfers
Other options
G38968+
C1702610:44 AM2h53Cardiff Central (CDF)1:37 PMBirmingham New Street (BHM)$1171One-way1 transfer- G38940+C170248:42 AM2h56Cardiff Central (CDF)11:38 AMBirmingham New Street (BHM)$1171One-way1 transfer
- C17028+G3897612:40 PM2h57Cardiff Central (CDF)3:37 PMBirmingham New Street (BHM)$1171One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus6:20 PM2h50Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)9:10 PMBirmingham$251One-way0 transfers
- NX1118:40 AM3h20Cardiff, Sophia Gardens12:00 PMBirmingham, Coach Station$251One-way0 transfers
- NX1114:40 PM3h20Cardiff, Sophia Gardens8:00 PMBirmingham, Coach Station$251One-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
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FAQs: Travel from Cardiff to Birmingham
Travel to Birmingham 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 Cardiff to Birmingham.
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Birmingham:
A bus is $43 (€36) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Birmingham costing on average $64 (€54).
Other travel options to Birmingham take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 51m.
- Around 11 buses per day.
- Around 8 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cardiff and Birmingham as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Cardiff Central (CDF) and arrive in Birmingham New Street (BHM).
- Buses mostly depart from Cardiff, Sophia Gardens and arrive in Birmingham, Coach Station.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus to go to Birmingham by bus.
- Travel with CrossCountry, Transport for Wales, West Midlands Trains, Great Western Railway to go to Birmingham by train.
- 7 direct buses per day with National Express, FlixBus.
- 3 direct trains per day with CrossCountry.
Travelling from Cardiff to Birmingham: related information
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