4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Cheltenham to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cheltenham to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $14 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 41m. 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 $14, while a train costs an average of $26.
Distance: 55 miles (89 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$26 Average price | $14 Average price Cheapest | $24 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 41m Average total duration Fastest 1h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 20m Average total duration 2h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 24m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg 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.
Compare ways to travel from Cheltenham to Cardiff
Compare the available ways to get from Cheltenham to Cardiff, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Cheltenham to Cardiff:
A bus is $13 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cheltenham to Cardiff costing on average $26.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 20m.
You'll arrive about 13m sooner (1h 11m by train vs 1h 24m by car). Tickets start at around $26 compared to roughly $24 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 Cheltenham to Cardiff
How to get from Cheltenham to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cheltenham to Cardiff is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
6:25 PM 3h50 Cheltenham 10:15 PM Cardiff $10 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
6:25 PM 3h50 Cheltenham 10:15 PM Cardiff $10 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
2:20 PM 2h45 Cheltenham 5:05 PM Cardiff $11 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
1:20 PM 2h45 Cheltenham 4:05 PM Cardiff $11 1 One-way 0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Cheltenham to Cardiff
Travel to Cardiff 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 Cheltenham to Cardiff.
This is compared to other travel options from Cheltenham to Cardiff:
A bus is $13 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cheltenham to Cardiff costing on average $26.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 20m.
- Around 10 trains per day.
- Around 2 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cheltenham and Cardiff as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Cheltenham Spa (CNM) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
- Buses mostly depart from Cheltenham, Arle Court Transport Hub and arrive in Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens).
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Cardiff by bus.
- Travel with Great Western Railway, CrossCountry, Transport for Wales to go to Cardiff by train.
- 1 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 6 direct trains per day with CrossCountry, Transport for Wales.
Travelling from Cheltenham to Cardiff: related information
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