4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Edinburgh to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $72 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 7h 1m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $72, while a train costs an average of $118.
Distance: 308 miles (497 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$118 Average price | $72 Average price Cheapest | $179 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 1m Average total duration Fastest 6h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 38m Average total duration 12h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 32m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.2kg 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.
This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Cardiff:
A bus is $46 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Cardiff costing on average $118.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 1m.
Bus takes on average 12h 38m.
The journey is about 1h 1m faster (6h 31m by train vs 7h 32m by car) and roughly $61 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($118 vs $179). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
Travel optionsfrom Edinburgh to Cardiff
How to get from Edinburgh to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Edinburgh to Cardiff is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
G011611:05 PM7h01Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)8:06 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$861One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- G011611:05 PM7h01Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)8:06 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$861One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- W33933+
G388778:52 AM5h52Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)2:44 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$3901One-way1 transfer
Other options
- G01154 · G0111912:05 PM7h21Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)7:26 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$1091One-way1 transfer
- W29909 · G011242:04 PM7h22Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)9:26 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$1091One-way1 transfer
W84907+G3888210:11 AM7h33Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)5:44 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$1191One-way1 transfer
FlixBus · FlixBus11:15 PM15h00Edinburgh, Bus Station2:15 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)$911One-way1 transfer- FlixBus · FlixBus11:30 PM16h15Edinburgh, Bus Station3:45 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)$911One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus · FlixBus11:05 AM14h40Edinburgh, Bus Station1:45 AMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)$961One-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.
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General Information about the journey from Edinburgh to Cardiff
It is possible to travel between the cities of Cardiff and Edinburgh by plane, bus or train. The quickest and only direct route is by plane, with journeys by bus taking the longest. All airports and stations have good local transport links.
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FAQs: Travel from Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh to Cardiff.
This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Cardiff:
A bus is $46 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Cardiff costing on average $118.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 1m.
Bus takes on average 12h 38m.
- Around 9 buses per day.
- Around 6 trains per day.
- Around 1 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Edinburgh and Cardiff as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Edinburgh Airport and arrive in Cardiff Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
- Buses mostly depart from Edinburgh, Bus Station and arrive in Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens).
- Travel with Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Transport for Wales, Transpennine Express, London North Eastern Railway, Caledonian Sleeper, Cross Country to go to Cardiff by train.
- Travel with Loganair, easyJet to go to Cardiff by flight.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus, Megabus to go to Cardiff by bus.
- 0 direct trains per day with Cross Country.
- 1 direct flights per day with Loganair.
Travelling from Edinburgh to Cardiff: related information
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