How to travel from Cardiff to London

Mon, Aug 03
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Travel by train, bus with
Great Western Railway
National Express
Megabus
FlixBus
South Western Railway
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Great Western Railway
National Express
Megabus
FlixBus
South Western Railway
1,000+ more
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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 prices starting from $7. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 10m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $7, and a train costs an average of $47.

Distance: 131 miles (211 km)

Compare bus with

Most popular
Bus
Train
Driving

$19

Average price

Cheapest

$82

Average price

$98

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 53m

Average total duration

3h 23m

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

National Express

Most popular bus company

Great Western Railway

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.

The cheapest way to travel from Cardiff to London is a bus with an average price of $19 (€16).

This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to London:

A bus is $63 (€51) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to London costing on average $82 (€67).

The fastest way to travel from Cardiff to London is by train with an average journey time of 3h 10m.

Other travel options to London take longer:

Bus takes on average 3h 23m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cardiff and London including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the bus as it is the most popular way to get from Cardiff to London among Omio's users.

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights

Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

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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

If you want to travel from Cardiff to London there are several options available to you. For this route, however, 54,26% of our customers choose the bus as their preferred method of transportation. Nowadays, traveling by bus is a relaxing and entertaining experience. Most bus companies offer different on-board services; ranging from "welcome drinks" to free wi-fi or personal entertainment. For this reason, the bus is often chosen as the best way to get from Cardiff to London. Bus companies normally offer comfortable journeys for reasonable prices, and if you choose to travel on a night bus you can even save the money of one night in a hotel. For that reason, the bus is most likely the cheapest way to get to your destination.

Search on Omio to find cheap tickets from Cardiff to London. It’s easy to find the most attractive prices and choose your preferred route for your journey. Book on web or app, and travel with your mobile ticket —without the stress of printing your ticket.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

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.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Cardiff and London including taking a train and bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Cardiff to London is a bus with an average price of $19 (€16).

This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to London:

A bus is $63 (€51) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to London costing on average $82 (€67).

The fastest way to travel from Cardiff to London is by train with an average journey time of 3h 10m.

Other travel options to London take longer:

Bus takes on average 3h 23m.

The distance from Cardiff to London is approximately 131 miles (211 km).
The average frequency per day from Cardiff to London is:
  • Around 37 buses per day.
  • Around 13 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.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Cardiff to London:
  • 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.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Cardiff to London, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) to go to London by train.
  • Travel with National Express, Megabus, FlixBus to go to London by bus.
Yes, there are direct services available from Cardiff to London with the following travel companies:
  • 11 direct trains per day with Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR).
  • 32 direct buses per day with National Express, Megabus, FlixBus.
Omio customers who travel from Cardiff to London often also extend their vacation to go to Paris, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Manchester, Brussels. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between London and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in London to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In London, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city from The London Eye, visit the vibrant West End Theatre District for high-quality shows, and explore Camden Market's eclectic mix of food, fashion, and crafts. A walk through Hyde Park offers beautiful landscapes and recreational activities, while art lovers can visit the Tate Modern. Don't miss The British Museum's vast collection of art and antiquities, the historic Tower of London with its Crown Jewels, and Buckingham Palace. Iconic landmarks like The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, along with St. Paul's Cathedral, offer a glimpse into the city's rich history and architecture.
For a comprehensive experience of London's top attractions, cultural sites, and local neighborhoods, it is recommended to spend around 3 to 5 days in the city. This allows time to explore major landmarks such as the British Museum, Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace, as well as enjoy local markets and parks.
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