Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cardiff to London
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to London among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €12 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 40m. 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 €12, while a train costs an average of €68.
Distance: 131 miles (211 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€12 Average price Cheapest | €68 Average price | €80 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 52m Average total duration 3h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 40m Average total duration Fastest 3h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 9m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train 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 London:
A bus is €56 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to London costing on average €68.
Other travel options to London take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 52m.
Tickets start at around €12 compared to roughly €80 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €68. The journey takes 3h 22m versus 3h 9m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
Travel optionsfrom Cardiff to London
How to get from Cardiff to London by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cardiff to London is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
NX202 · NX0402:55 PM4h50Cardiff, Sophia Gardens7:45 PMLondon, Earl's Court€181One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
NX202 · NX0402:55 PM4h50Cardiff, Sophia Gardens7:45 PMLondon, Earl's Court€181One-way1 transfer
Fastest
G150482:54 PM1h47Cardiff Central (CDF)4:41 PMLondon Paddington (PAD)€731One-way0 transfers
Other options
W351943:54 PM1h50Cardiff Central (CDF)5:44 PMLondon Paddington (PAD)€681One-way0 transfers
W351964:50 PM1h51Cardiff Central (CDF)6:41 PMLondon Paddington (PAD)€681One-way0 transfers
G150519:20 PM1h51Cardiff Central (CDF)11:11 PMLondon Paddington (PAD)€681One-way0 transfers
FlixBus4:15 PM3h20Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)7:35 PMLondon, Hammersmith Broadway (Irish Cultural Centre)€191One-way0 transfers
FlixBus4:15 PM3h50Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)8:05 PMLondon, Victoria Coach Station€191One-way0 transfers
FlixBus5:00 AM3h10Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)8:10 AMLondon, Hammersmith Broadway (Irish Cultural Centre)€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
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Travel from Cardiff to London: Journey Details
Flying offers the shortest journey time for travelers in the UK between Cardiff and London, although Flybe flights are not available all year round. Regular direct train and bus services connect the Welsh and English capitals. Trains make the 200 kilometer journey in a significantly faster time than the bus, arriving at the central Paddington terminus in around 2 hours. Bus journeys take a little under 4 hours.
Return trips from London to Cardiff are also available.
How to get from Cardiff to London
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from Cardiff to London
Travel to London 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 London.

This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to London:
A bus is €56 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to London costing on average €68.
Other travel options to London take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 52m.
- Around 41 buses per day.
- Around 14 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cardiff and London 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 Heathrow Terminal 5 (HWV).
- Buses mostly depart from Cardiff, Sophia Gardens and arrive in London, Victoria Coach Station.
- Ferries mostly depart from Southampton Vehicle Ferry Terminal and arrive in West Cowes.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus, Megabus to go to London by bus.
- Travel with Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) to go to London by train.
- 34 direct buses per day with National Express, FlixBus, Megabus.
- 12 direct trains per day with Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR).
Travelling from Cardiff to London: related information
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