4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cardiff to Plymouth
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Plymouth among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €27 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 25m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €27, while a train costs an average of €71.
Distance: 87 miles (141 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€27 Average price Cheapest | €71 Average price | €46 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 8m Average total duration 4h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 25m Average total duration Fastest 2h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 48m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg 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.
Compare ways to travel from Cardiff to Plymouth
Compare the available ways to get from Cardiff to Plymouth, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Plymouth:
A bus is €45 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Plymouth costing on average €71.
Other travel options to Plymouth take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 8m.
Tickets start at around €27 compared to roughly €46 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €20. The journey takes 4h 38m versus 2h 48m 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 Plymouth
How to get from Cardiff to Plymouth by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cardiff to Plymouth is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- FlixBus · FlixBus
12:45 AM 5h35 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) 6:20 AM Plymouth, Coach Station €14 1 One-way 1 transfer
Cheapest
- FlixBus · FlixBus
12:45 AM 5h35 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) 6:20 AM Plymouth, Coach Station €14 1 One-way 1 transfer
Fastest
G15042+G011338:38 AM 3h10 Cardiff Central (CDF) 11:48 AM Plymouth station (PLY) €93 1 One-way 1 transfer
Other options
- G15012+W29868
12:30 PM 3h17 Cardiff Central (CDF) 3:47 PM Plymouth station (PLY) €114 1 One-way 1 transfer - G15010+W29862
11:30 AM 3h17 Cardiff Central (CDF) 2:47 PM Plymouth station (PLY) €114 1 One-way 1 transfer - G15008+G01140
10:30 AM 3h17 Cardiff Central (CDF) 1:47 PM Plymouth station (PLY) €114 1 One-way 1 transfer
- FlixBus · FlixBus
6:10 PM 5h40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) 11:50 PM Plymouth, Coach Station €14 1 One-way 1 transfer - FlixBus · FlixBus
3:10 AM 6h40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) 9:50 AM Plymouth, Coach Station €14 1 One-way 1 transfer - FlixBus · FlixBus
11:25 PM 6h55 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) 6:20 AM Plymouth, Coach Station €14 1 One-way 1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Cardiff to Plymouth
Travel to Plymouth 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 Plymouth.
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Plymouth:
A bus is €45 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Plymouth costing on average €71.
Other travel options to Plymouth take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 8m.
- Around 8 buses per day.
- Around 7 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cardiff and Plymouth 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 Plymouth station (PLY).
- Buses mostly depart from Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) and arrive in Plymouth, Coach Station.
- Travel with CrossCountry, Great Western Railway to go to Plymouth by train.
- Travel with FlixBus, National Express to go to Plymouth by bus.
Travelling from Cardiff to Plymouth: related information
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