4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cardiff to Derby
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Derby among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €51 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 14m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €51, while a train costs an average of €57.
Distance: 123 miles (198 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€57 Average price | €51 Average price Cheapest | €54 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 14m Average total duration Fastest 2h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 20m Average total duration 7h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 10m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg 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 Derby:
A bus is €6 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Derby costing on average €57.
Other travel options to Derby take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 20m.
You'll arrive about 26m sooner (2h 44m by train vs 3h 10m by car). Tickets start at around €57 compared to roughly €54 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 Derby
How to get from Cardiff to Derby by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cardiff to Derby is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus · FlixBus4:15 PM9h15Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)1:30 AMDerby, Bus Station€331One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
- FlixBus · FlixBus4:15 PM9h15Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)1:30 AMDerby, Bus Station€331One-way1 transfer
Fastest
- G0089911:45 AM2h45Cardiff Central (CDF)2:30 PMDerby station (DBY)€401One-way0 transfers
Other options
- G0094912:45 PM2h45Cardiff Central (CDF)3:30 PMDerby station (DBY)€401One-way0 transfers
- G667138:45 AM2h45Cardiff Central (CDF)11:30 AMDerby station (DBY)€401One-way0 transfers
- G0094210:45 AM2h46Cardiff Central (CDF)1:31 PMDerby station (DBY)€401One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus · FlixBus6:10 PM8h45Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)2:55 AMDerby, Bus Station€351One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus · FlixBus2:50 PM8h50Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)11:40 PMDerby, Bus Station€351One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus · FlixBus4:40 PM10h00Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)2:40 AMDerby, Bus Station€351One-way1 transfer
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 Derby
Travel to Derby 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 Derby.
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Derby:
A bus is €6 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Derby costing on average €57.
Other travel options to Derby take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 20m.
- Around 19 buses per day.
- Around 8 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cardiff and Derby 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 Derby station (DBY).
- Buses mostly depart from Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) and arrive in Derby, Bus Station.
- Travel with National Express to go to Derby by bus.
- Travel with CrossCountry, Cross Country, Great Western Railway (GWR), Transport for Wales to go to Derby by train.
- 6 direct trains per day with Cross Country.
Travelling from Cardiff to Derby: related information
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