4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Leicester to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Leicester to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €31 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 16m. 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 €31, while a train costs an average of €73.
Distance: 118 miles (190 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€73 Average price | €31 Average price Cheapest | €43 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 16m Average total duration Fastest 2h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 46m Average total duration 6h 16m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 59m 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 Leicester to Cardiff
Compare the available ways to get from Leicester to Cardiff, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Leicester to Cardiff:
A bus is €42 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Leicester to Cardiff costing on average €73.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 46m.
You'll arrive about 13m sooner (2h 46m by train vs 2h 59m by car). Tickets start at around €73 compared to roughly €43 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 Leicester to Cardiff
How to get from Leicester to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Leicester to Cardiff is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
4:45 PM 7h10 Leicester 11:55 PM Cardiff €17 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
4:45 PM 7h10 Leicester 11:55 PM Cardiff €17 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
11:45 AM 5h15 Leicester 5:00 PM Cardiff €19 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
5:45 PM 7h10 Leicester 12:55 AM Cardiff €21 1 One-way 0 transfers1:40 PM 7h40 Leicester 9:20 PM Cardiff €23 1 One-way 0 transfers5:25 PM 8h00 Leicester 1:25 AM Cardiff €23 1 One-way 0 transfers
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 Leicester 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 Leicester to Cardiff.
This is compared to other travel options from Leicester to Cardiff:
A bus is €42 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Leicester to Cardiff costing on average €73.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 46m.
- Around 40 buses per day.
- Around 6 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Leicester and Cardiff as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Leicester station (LEI) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
- Buses mostly depart from Leicester, St.Margaret's 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 FlixBus, National Express to go to Cardiff by bus.
Travelling from Leicester to Cardiff: related information
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