Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cardiff to Inverness
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Inverness among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $117 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 9h 54m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $117, while a train costs an average of $229.
Distance: 416 miles (670 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$229 Average price | $117 Average price Cheapest | $187 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 54m Average total duration Fastest 9h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 17h 51m Average total duration 17h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 35m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Compare ways to travel from Cardiff to Inverness
Compare the available ways to get from Cardiff to Inverness, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Inverness:
A bus is $113 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Inverness costing on average $229.
Other travel options to Inverness take longer:
Bus takes on average 17h 51m.
You'll arrive about 1h 11m sooner (9h 24m by train vs 10h 35m by car). Tickets start at around $229 compared to roughly $187 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 Inverness
How to get from Cardiff to Inverness by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cardiff to Inverness is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus6:10 PM 19h00 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) 1:10 PM Inverness, Bus Station $115 1 One-way 2 transfers
Cheapest
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus6:10 PM 19h00 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) 1:10 PM Inverness, Bus Station $115 1 One-way 2 transfers
Fastest
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus6:10 PM 19h00 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) 1:10 PM Inverness, Bus Station $115 1 One-way 2 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Cardiff to Inverness
Travel to Inverness 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 Inverness.

This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Inverness:
A bus is $113 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Inverness costing on average $229.
Other travel options to Inverness take longer:
Bus takes on average 17h 51m.
- Around 4 trains per day.
- Around 2 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cardiff and Inverness 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 Inverness station (INV).
- Buses mostly depart from Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) and arrive in Inverness, Bus Station.
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Inverness by bus.
- Travel with Scotrail, London North Eastern Railway, Lumo, Avanti West Coast to go to Inverness by train.
Travelling from Cardiff to Inverness: related information
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