4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Exeter to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Exeter to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $27 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 38m. 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 $27, while a train costs an average of $76.
Distance: 54 miles (88 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$76 Average price | $27 Average price Cheapest | $39 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 38m Average total duration Fastest 2h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 58m Average total duration 3h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 6m 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 Exeter to Cardiff
Compare the available ways to get from Exeter to Cardiff, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Exeter to Cardiff:
A bus is $50 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Exeter to Cardiff costing on average $76.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 58m.
Tickets start at around $76 compared to roughly $39 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -$37. The journey takes 2h 8m versus 2h 6m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Travel optionsfrom Exeter to Cardiff
How to get from Exeter to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Exeter to Cardiff is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
NX104 · NX2021:55 PM 4h20 Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court 6:15 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens $31 1 One-way 1 transfer
Cheapest
- NX104 · NX202
1:55 PM 4h20 Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court 6:15 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens $31 1 One-way 1 transfer
Fastest
- G01064+
G149368:27 AM 2h10 Exeter St Davids (EXD) 10:37 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) $95 1 One-way 1 transfer
Other options
- G01060+G15000
6:25 AM 2h23 Exeter St Davids (EXD) 8:48 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) $57 1 One-way 1 transfer - G01060+W35415
6:25 AM 2h14 Exeter St Davids (EXD) 8:39 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) $95 1 One-way 1 transfer - G01062+G14934
7:20 AM 2h16 Exeter St Davids (EXD) 9:36 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) $95 1 One-way 1 transfer
- NX101 · NX202
9:30 AM 4h25 Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court 1:55 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens $31 1 One-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 Exeter 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 Exeter to Cardiff.
This is compared to other travel options from Exeter to Cardiff:
A bus is $50 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Exeter to Cardiff costing on average $76.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 58m.
- Around 14 trains per day.
- Around 8 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Exeter and Cardiff as scheduled services by bus and train can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Exeter St Davids (EXD) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
- Buses mostly depart from Exeter, Bampfylde Street / Stover Court and arrive in Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens).
- Travel with FlixBus, National Express to go to Cardiff by bus.
- Travel with CrossCountry, Great Western Railway to go to Cardiff by train.
- 3 direct trains per day with Great Western Railway.
Travelling from Exeter to Cardiff: related information
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