How to travel from Preston to Cardiff

Fri, Mar 20
+ Add return
Travel by train, bus with
CrossCountry
National Express
Transport for Wales
FlixBus
Avanti West Coast
1,000+ more
CrossCountry
National Express
Transport for Wales
FlixBus
Avanti West Coast
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Preston to Cardiff

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $31. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 47m. 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 $31, and a train costs an average of $67.

Distance: 159 miles (256 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus

$116

Average price

$59

Average price

Cheapest

4h 17m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 47m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

8h 50m

Average total duration

8h 20m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.3 - 0.6kg

CO2 emissions

CrossCountry

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Travel options
from Preston to Cardiff

How to get from Preston to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from Preston to Cardiff is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

Avanti West CoastL02357+CrossCountryC75254
09:19AM4h06
Preston station (PRE)
01:25PMCardiff Central (CDF)
$831One-way
1 transfer

Cheapest

National ExpressNX181 · NX101 · NX202
03:20AM8h45
Preston, Bus Station
12:05PMCardiff, Sophia Gardens
$491One-way
2 transfers

Fastest

Avanti West CoastW01980+Transport for WalesL64720
08:17AM3h21
Preston station (PRE)
11:38AMCardiff Central (CDF)
$1371One-way
1 transfer

Other options

Avanti West CoastW02948+CrossCountryC75257
10:18AM4h07
Preston station (PRE)
02:25PMCardiff Central (CDF)
$831One-way
1 transfer
Avanti West CoastW01980+CrossCountryC75251
08:17AM4h09
Preston station (PRE)
12:26PMCardiff Central (CDF)
$931One-way
1 transfer
Avanti West CoastL02357+Transport for WalesL64722
09:19AM3h26
Preston station (PRE)
12:45PMCardiff Central (CDF)
$1371One-way
1 transfer
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
02:15PM11h30
Preston, Bus Station
01:45AMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
$541One-way
1 transfer
National ExpressNX424 · NX100 · NX201
10:35PM12h25
Preston, Bus Station
11:00AMCardiff, Sophia Gardens
$571One-way
2 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

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FAQs: Travel from Preston 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 Preston to Cardiff.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Preston and Cardiff including taking a train and bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Preston to Cardiff is a bus with an average price of $31 (€25).

This is compared to other travel options from Preston to Cardiff:

A bus is $36 (€29) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Preston to Cardiff costing on average $67 (€54).

The fastest way to travel from Preston to Cardiff is by train with an average journey time of 3h 38m.

Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:

Bus takes on average 8h 45m.

The distance from Preston to Cardiff is approximately 159 miles (256 km).
The average frequency per day from Preston to Cardiff is:
  • Around 6 trains per day.
  • Around 3 buses per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Preston and Cardiff as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Preston to Cardiff:
  • Trains mostly depart from Preston station (PRE) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
  • Buses mostly depart from Preston, Bus Station and arrive in Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Preston to Cardiff, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with National Express, FlixBus to go to Cardiff by bus.
  • Travel with CrossCountry, Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast to go to Cardiff by train.
Omio customers who travel from Preston to Cardiff often also extend their vacation to go to London, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Cardiff and these popular destinations at a great price.

Travelling from Preston to Cardiff: related information

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTravelTravel to United KingdomTravel to CardiffHow to travel from Preston to Cardiff

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