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 |
![]() 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 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.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 11m.
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 optionsfrom Chester to Cardiff
How to get from Chester to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Chester to Cardiff is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus · FlixBus4:15 PM9h30Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange)1:45 AMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)€471One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
FlixBus · FlixBus4:15 PM9h30Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange)1:45 AMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)€471One-way1 transfer
Fastest
G3890812:25 PM3h02Chester station (CTR)3:27 PMCardiff Central (CDF)€681One-way0 transfers
Other options
W45245 · G388501:34 PM3h22Chester station (CTR)4:56 PMCardiff Central (CDF)€561One-way1 transfer
W45194 · G388533:35 PM3h19Chester station (CTR)6:54 PMCardiff Central (CDF)€621One-way1 transfer
G38918+
W3332712:32 PM3h22Chester station (CTR)3:54 PMCardiff Central (CDF)€631One-way1 transfer
FlixBus · FlixBus11:40 AM10h45Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange)10:25 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)€551One-way1 transfer
FlixBus · FlixBus12:30 AM11h10Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange)11:40 AMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)€561One-way1 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.

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.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 11m.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 2 direct trains per day with Transport for Wales.
Travelling from Chester to Cardiff: related information
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