4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Derby to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Derby to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €49 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 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €49, while a train costs an average of €74.
Distance: 123 miles (198 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€74 Average price | €49 Average price Cheapest | €58 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 7m Average total duration Fastest 2h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 10m Average total duration 7h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 0m 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.
Compare ways to travel from Derby to Cardiff
Compare the available ways to get from Derby to Cardiff, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Derby to Cardiff:
A bus is €26 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Derby to Cardiff costing on average €74.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 10m.
You'll arrive about 23m sooner (2h 37m by train vs 3h 0m by car). Tickets start at around €74 compared to roughly €58 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 Derby to Cardiff
How to get from Derby to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Derby to Cardiff is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus · FlixBus5:45 PM 8h00 Derby, Bus Station 1:45 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) €18 1 One-way 1 transfer
Cheapest
- FlixBus · FlixBus
5:45 PM 8h00 Derby, Bus Station 1:45 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) €18 1 One-way 1 transfer
Fastest
- G01135+
G149378:29 AM 2h38 Derby station (DBY) 11:07 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) €180 1 One-way 1 transfer
Other options
- G01098
8:42 AM 2h43 Derby station (DBY) 11:25 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) €42 1 One-way 0 transfers - G01101
9:41 AM 2h45 Derby station (DBY) 12:26 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) €42 1 One-way 0 transfers - G01140+W34617
9:31 AM 2h39 Derby station (DBY) 12:10 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) €128 1 One-way 1 transfer
- FlixBus · FlixBus
11:50 AM 8h15 Derby, Bus Station 8:05 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) €18 1 One-way 1 transfer - FlixBus · FlixBus
4:05 PM 8h40 Derby, Bus Station 12:45 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) €18 1 One-way 1 transfer - FlixBus · FlixBus
7:30 AM 8h40 Derby, Bus Station 4:10 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) €18 1 One-way 1 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
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FAQs: Travel from Derby 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 Derby to Cardiff.
This is compared to other travel options from Derby to Cardiff:
A bus is €26 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Derby to Cardiff costing on average €74.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 10m.
- Around 21 buses per day.
- Around 6 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Derby and Cardiff as scheduled services by bus and train can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Derby station (DBY) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
- Buses mostly depart from Derby, Bus Station and arrive in Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens).
- Travel with CrossCountry, Transport for Wales, West Midlands Trains to go to Cardiff by train.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus to go to Cardiff by bus.
- 2 direct trains per day with CrossCountry.
Travelling from Derby to Cardiff: related information
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