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4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cardiff to Leicester
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Leicester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €20 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 18m. 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 €20, while a train costs an average of €76.
Distance: 118 miles (190 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€76 Average price | €20 Average price Cheapest | €42 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 18m Average total duration Fastest 2h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 6m Average total duration 5h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 3m 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 Leicester:
A bus is €40 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Leicester costing on average €76.
Other travel options to Leicester take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 40m.
You'll arrive about 15m sooner (2h 48m by train vs 3h 3m by car). Tickets start at around €76 compared to roughly €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 Cardiff to Leicester
How to get from Cardiff to Leicester by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cardiff to Leicester is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- NX111 · NX1518:40 AM7h35Cardiff, Sophia Gardens4:15 PMLeicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station€251One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
- NX111 · NX1518:40 AM7h35Cardiff, Sophia Gardens4:15 PMLeicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station€251One-way1 transfer
Fastest
- NX202 · NX100 · NX1506:40 AM6h15Cardiff, Sophia Gardens12:55 PMLeicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station€291One-way2 transfers
Other options
- NX509 · NX4404:50 AM7h40Cardiff, Sophia Gardens12:30 PMLeicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station€251One-way1 transfer
- NX202 · NX100 · NX7774:45 AM6h50Cardiff, Sophia Gardens11:35 AMLeicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station€251One-way2 transfers
- NX111 · NX1804:40 PM7h10Cardiff, Sophia Gardens11:50 PMLeicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station€271One-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 Leicester
Travel to Leicester 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 Leicester.
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Leicester:
A bus is €40 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Leicester costing on average €76.
Other travel options to Leicester take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 40m.
- Around 26 buses per day.
- Around 9 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cardiff and Leicester 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 Leicester station (LEI).
- Buses mostly depart from Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) and arrive in Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station.
- Travel with National Express, Megabus, FlixBus to go to Leicester by bus.
- Travel with CrossCountry, Cross Country to go to Leicester by train.
- 0 direct trains per day with Cross Country.
Travelling from Cardiff to Leicester: related information
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