4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cardiff to Southampton
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Southampton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $25 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 7m. 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 $25, while a train costs an average of $68.
Distance: 86 miles (139 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$68 Average price | $25 Average price Cheapest | $42 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 7m Average total duration Fastest 2h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 49m Average total duration 5h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 42m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg 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 Southampton:
A bus is $42 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Southampton costing on average $96.
Other travel options to Southampton take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 47m.
You'll arrive about 12m sooner (2h 30m by train vs 2h 42m by car). Tickets start at around $96 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 Southampton
How to get from Cardiff to Southampton by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cardiff to Southampton is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- NX509 · NX0325:00 PM7h05Cardiff, Sophia Gardens12:05 AMSouthampton, Coach Station$261One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
- NX509 · NX0325:00 PM7h05Cardiff, Sophia Gardens12:05 AMSouthampton, Coach Station$261One-way1 transfer
Fastest
- W35438+
G0101512:20 PM2h22Cardiff Central (CDF)2:42 PMSouthampton Central (SOU)$1581One-way1 transfer
Other options
- W350122:25 PM2h38Cardiff Central (CDF)5:03 PMSouthampton Central (SOU)$871One-way0 transfers
- W3499112:25 PM2h40Cardiff Central (CDF)3:05 PMSouthampton Central (SOU)$871One-way0 transfers
- C008521:25 PM2h40Cardiff Central (CDF)4:05 PMSouthampton Central (SOU)$871One-way0 transfers
- NX507 · NX0326:15 PM7h15Cardiff, Sophia Gardens1:30 AMSouthampton, Coach Station$261One-way1 transfer
- NX509 · NX0357:45 PM7h25Cardiff, Sophia Gardens3:10 AMSouthampton, Coach Station$331One-way1 transfer
FlixBus · FlixBus7:45 AM5h25Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)1:10 PMSouthampton, Burgess Rd / Broadlands Rd (Southampton University)$381One-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
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.
Sep 20
Sep 21
Sep 22
Sep 23
Sep 24
Sep 25
Sep 26
More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.
FAQs: Travel from Cardiff to Southampton
Travel to Southampton 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 Southampton.
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Southampton:
A bus is $42 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Southampton costing on average $96.
Other travel options to Southampton take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 47m.
- Around 18 buses per day.
- Around 8 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cardiff and Southampton 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 Southampton Central (SOU).
- Buses mostly depart from Cardiff, Sophia Gardens and arrive in Southampton, Coach Station.
- Ferries mostly depart from Yarmouth and arrive in Lymington Pier.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus to go to Southampton by bus.
- Travel with Great Western Railway to go to Southampton by train.
- 6 direct trains per day with Great Western Railway.
Travelling from Cardiff to Southampton: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Travel to popular destinations by train, bus or flight
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
