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4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Manchester to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester 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 52m. 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 €72.
Distance: 143 miles (231 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€72 Average price | €31 Average price Cheapest | €52 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 52m Average total duration Fastest 3h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 35m Average total duration 6h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 39m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.6kg 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 Manchester to Cardiff:
A bus is €42 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Cardiff costing on average €72.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 35m.
You'll arrive about 1h 17m sooner (3h 22m by train vs 4h 39m by car). Tickets start at around €72 compared to roughly €52 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 Manchester to Cardiff
How to get from Manchester to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Manchester to Cardiff is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- NX540 · NX5096:00 PM9h15Manchester, Coach Station3:15 AMCardiff, Sophia Gardens€181One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
- NX540 · NX5096:00 PM9h15Manchester, Coach Station3:15 AMCardiff, Sophia Gardens€181One-way1 transfer
Fastest
- G388708:30 AM3h08Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)11:38 AMCardiff Central (CDF)€371One-way0 transfers
Other options
- G388739:30 AM3h14Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)12:44 PMCardiff Central (CDF)€371One-way0 transfers
- G388864:30 PM3h15Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)7:45 PMCardiff Central (CDF)€371One-way0 transfers
- G3887410:30 AM3h23Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)1:53 PMCardiff Central (CDF)€371One-way0 transfers
- NX540 · NX5095:15 AM11h05Manchester, Coach Station4:20 PMCardiff, Sophia Gardens€181One-way1 transfer
FlixBus · FlixBus3:00 PM6h10Manchester, Shudehill Interchange9:10 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)€231One-way1 transfer- FlixBus · FlixBus3:25 PM5h45Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East9:10 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)€231One-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
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FAQs: Travel from Manchester 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 Manchester to Cardiff.
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Cardiff:
A bus is €42 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Cardiff costing on average €72.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 35m.
- Around 20 buses per day.
- Around 6 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Manchester and Cardiff as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
- Buses mostly depart from Manchester, Coach Station and arrive in Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens).
- Travel with FlixBus, National Express to go to Cardiff by bus.
- Travel with Transport for Wales, CrossCountry to go to Cardiff by train.
- 4 direct trains per day with Transport for Wales.
Travelling from Manchester to Cardiff: related information
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