How to travel from Chester to Cardiff

Sun, Sep 20
+ Add return
Travel by train, bus with
Transport for Wales
National Express
CrossCountry
FlixBus
Transport for Wales
1,000+ more
Transport for Wales
National Express
CrossCountry
FlixBus
Transport for Wales
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Chester to Cardiff

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chester to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €24 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 34m. 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 €24, while a train costs an average of €60.

Distance: 118 miles (191 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

€60

Average price

€24

Average price

Cheapest

€45

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 34m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 4m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 14m

Average total duration

5h 44m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 45m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.5kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Transport for Wales

Most popular train company

National Express

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.

The cheapest way to travel from Chester to Cardiff is a bus with an average price of €35.

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

A bus is €24 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chester to Cardiff costing on average €60.

The fastest way to travel from Chester to Cardiff is by train with an average journey time of 3h 34m.

Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:

Bus takes on average 8h 11m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Chester and Cardiff including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Chester to Cardiff among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 41m sooner (3h 4m by train vs 3h 45m by car). Tickets start at around €60 compared to roughly €45 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 options
from Chester to Cardiff

How to get from Chester to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from Chester to Cardiff is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    4:15 PM9h30
    Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange)
    1:45 AMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
    471One-way
    1 transfer

Cheapest

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    4:15 PM9h30
    Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange)
    1:45 AMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
    471One-way
    1 transfer

Fastest

  • Transport for WalesG38908
    12:25 PM3h02
    Chester station (CTR)
    3:27 PMCardiff Central (CDF)
    681One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • Transport for WalesW45245 · G38850
    1:34 PM3h22
    Chester station (CTR)
    4:56 PMCardiff Central (CDF)
    561One-way
    1 transfer
  • Transport for WalesW45194 · G38853
    3:35 PM3h19
    Chester station (CTR)
    6:54 PMCardiff Central (CDF)
    621One-way
    1 transfer
  • Transport for WalesG38918+Avanti West CoastW33327
    12:32 PM3h22
    Chester station (CTR)
    3:54 PMCardiff Central (CDF)
    631One-way
    1 transfer
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    11:40 AM10h45
    Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange)
    10:25 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
    551One-way
    1 transfer
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    12:30 AM11h10
    Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange)
    11:40 AMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
    561One-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 Chester 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 Chester to Cardiff.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Chester and Cardiff including taking a train and bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Chester to Cardiff is a bus with an average price of €35.

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

A bus is €24 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chester to Cardiff costing on average €60.

The fastest way to travel from Chester to Cardiff is by train with an average journey time of 3h 34m.

Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:

Bus takes on average 8h 11m.

The distance from Chester to Cardiff is approximately 118 miles (191 km).
The average frequency per day from Chester to Cardiff is:
  • Around 8 trains per day.
  • Around 3 buses per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Chester and Cardiff 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 Chester to Cardiff:
  • Trains mostly depart from Chester station (CTR) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
  • Buses mostly depart from Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange) and arrive in Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens).
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Chester to Cardiff, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with National Express, FlixBus to go to Cardiff by bus.
  • Travel with Transport for Wales, CrossCountry, Transport for Wales to go to Cardiff by train.
Yes, there is a direct route available from Chester to Cardiff:
  • 2 direct trains per day with Transport for Wales.
Omio customers who travel from Chester to Cardiff often also extend their vacation to go to London, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Cardiff and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Cardiff to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Cardiff, you can enjoy a variety of activities and sights. Attend performances at the Millennium Centre, explore the vibrant nightlife in the city center, or take a scenic boat tour around Cardiff Bay. For adventure, visit Cardiff International White Water for rafting and kayaking. Shop and dine at Cardiff Market. Discover history at Cardiff Castle and St Fagans National Museum of History, explore art and culture at the National Museum Cardiff, and relax in Bute Park. Cardiff Bay also offers dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions.
A visit of 2 to 3 days is typically sufficient to explore Cardiff's main attractions, such as Cardiff Castle, the National Museum, and Cardiff Bay, while allowing time for leisure and dining experiences.

Travelling from Chester to Cardiff: related information

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTravelTravel to United KingdomTravel to CardiffHow to travel from Chester to Cardiff

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