4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for London to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $21 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 40m. 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 $21, while a train costs an average of $89.
Distance: 131 miles (211 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$89 Average price | $21 Average price Cheapest | $71 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 40m Average total duration Fastest 2h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 13m Average total duration 3h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 4m 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.
This is compared to other travel options from London to Cardiff:
A bus is $68 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to Cardiff costing on average $89.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 13m.
You'll arrive about 54m sooner (2h 10m by train vs 3h 4m by car). Tickets start at around $89 compared to roughly $71 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 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.
- NX040 · NX2161:00 AM4h35London, Victoria Coach Station5:35 AMCardiff, University$221One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
- NX040 · NX2161:00 AM4h35London, Victoria Coach Station5:35 AMCardiff, University$221One-way1 transfer
Fastest
- W346056:48 AM1h49London Paddington (PAD)8:37 AMCardiff Central (CDF)$831One-way0 transfers
Other options
- W346477:18 PM1h53London Paddington (PAD)9:11 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$831One-way0 transfers
- W3462312:13 PM2h04London Paddington (PAD)2:17 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$831One-way0 transfers
- W3462512:48 PM1h49London Paddington (PAD)2:37 PMCardiff Central (CDF)$891One-way0 transfers
- NX040 · NX2161:00 AM4h45London, Victoria Coach Station5:45 AMCardiff, Sophia Gardens$221One-way1 transfer
- NX50912:30 AM3h05London, Victoria Coach Station3:35 AMCardiff, University$271One-way0 transfers
- NX50912:30 AM3h15London, Victoria Coach Station3:45 AMCardiff, Sophia Gardens$271One-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
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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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 $68 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to Cardiff costing on average $89.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 13m.
- Around 47 buses per day.
- Around 30 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 Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 (HXX) 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 National Express, FlixBus to go to Cardiff by bus.
- Travel with Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, CrossCountry, Transport for Wales to go to Cardiff by train.
- 41 direct buses per day with National Express, FlixBus.
- 25 direct trains per day with Great Western Railway.
Travelling from London to Cardiff: related information
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