4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for London to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from London to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $7. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 13m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $7, and a train costs an average of $56.
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from London to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $7. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 8m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $7, and a train costs an average of $25.
Distance: 131 miles (211 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$13 Average price Cheapest | $88 Average price | $74 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 51m Average total duration 3h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 43m Average total duration Fastest 3h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 4m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
$22 Average price Cheapest | $92 Average price | $74 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 13m Average total duration 3h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 38m Average total duration Fastest 2h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 4m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
Most popular bus company | Most popular train 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 London to Cardiff:
A bus is $75 (€60) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to Cardiff costing on average $88 (€71).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 21m.
This is compared to other travel options from London to Cardiff:
A bus is $70 (€57) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to Cardiff costing on average $92 (€74).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 43m.
Travel optionsfrom London to Cardiff
How to get from London to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from London to Cardiff is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus10:30 PM3h15London, Victoria Coach Station1:45 AMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)$141One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus10:30 PM3h15London, Victoria Coach Station1:45 AMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)$141One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- W346467:18 PM1h44London Paddington (PAD)9:02 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$911One-way0 transfers
Other options
- G1494910:49 PM2h18London Paddington (PAD)1:07 AMCardiff Central (CDF)$731One-way0 transfers
- W3541711:48 AM1h48London Paddington (PAD)1:36 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$791One-way0 transfers
- W3462412:48 PM1h49London Paddington (PAD)2:37 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$791One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus9:30 PM3h15London, Victoria Coach Station12:45 AMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)$141One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus7:30 AM4h10London, Victoria Coach Station11:40 AMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)$141One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus11:30 PM3h55London, Victoria Coach Station3:25 AMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)$171One-way0 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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How to Travel from London to Cardiff
The most straightforward way to travel in the UK from London to Cardiff is the fast train from London Paddington which pulls into to Cardiff Central railway station. For those who prefer to travel by road, National Express buses make the trip along the M4 frequently. Journey times are up to 4 hours by bus, half that by train and half that again by air.
Trains from London to Cardiff | Buses from London to Cardiff | Flights from London to Cardiff
London to Cardiff Travel Comparison
Average Price |
Travel Time |
Cheapest Time to Book |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
€9 |
3:10 h |
1 Month Ahead |
|
€44 |
2:00 h |
2 Months Ahead |
|
€73 |
1:10 h |
2 Weeks Ahead |
What is the best way to travel from London to Cardiff?
Cheapest way to travel from London to Cardiff
Taking a bus is the cheapest way to travel from London to Cardiff. Buses traveling from London to Cardiff depart from London's Victoria Coach Station and taking at least 3 hours to arrive at Cardiff's Sophia Gardens bus station. Over 30 buses travel from London to Cardiff per day, with the earliest departing London at 6:13 a.m. All buses that travel from London to Cardiff are operated by National Express.
Fastest way to travel from London to Cardiff
Technically taking a flight is the fastest way to travel from London to Cardiff; however, when travel time to and from London and Cardiff's airports is taken into consideration, taking a train is actually the fastest way to travel. Additionally, there is only 1 direct flight between London and Cardiff per day. Trains traveling from London to Cardiff depart from London's Paddington train station and take 2 hours to arrive at Cardiff's Central train station. All trains traveling from London to Cardiff are operated by First Great Western with 10 trains departing London per day.
Most popular way to travel from London to Cardiff
Taking the train is the most popular way to travel from London to Cardiff. Taking the train is over an hour faster than traveling from London to Cardiff by bus and 4 hours faster than taking a flight when travel time to and from London and Cardiff's airports is taken into consideration. Trains are also €29 cheaper than flights on average. Buses remain an attractive option for travelers trying to save some money while traveling.
How to get from London to Cardiff
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from London 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 London to Cardiff.
This is compared to other travel options from London to Cardiff:
A bus is $75 (€60) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to Cardiff costing on average $88 (€71).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 21m.
- Around 46 buses per day.
- Around 13 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between London and Cardiff as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from London Paddington (PAD) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
- Buses mostly depart from London, Victoria Coach Station and arrive in Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
- Ferries mostly depart from Lymington Pier and arrive in Yarmouth.
- Travel with Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) to go to Cardiff by train.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus, Megabus to go to Cardiff by bus.
- 12 direct trains per day with Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR).
- 39 direct buses per day with National Express, FlixBus, Megabus.
Travelling from London to Cardiff: related information
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