4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Reading to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $75 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 4m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $75, while a train costs an average of $93.
Distance: 95 miles (153 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$93 Average price | $75 Average price Cheapest | $40 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 4m Average total duration Fastest 1h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 58m Average total duration 4h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 12m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg 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 Reading to Cardiff
Compare the available ways to get from Reading to Cardiff, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Reading to Cardiff:
A bus is $18 (€15) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Reading to Cardiff costing on average $93 (€78).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 58m.
You'll arrive about 38m sooner (1h 34m by train vs 2h 12m by car). Tickets start at around $93 (€78) compared to roughly $40 (€33) 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 Reading to Cardiff
How to get from Reading to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Reading to Cardiff is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- RRRA1 · NX201
10:03 PM 5h32 Reading, Blagrave Street 3:35 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens $61 1 One-way 1 transfer
Cheapest
- RRRA1 · NX201
10:03 PM 5h32 Reading, Blagrave Street 3:35 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens $61 1 One-way 1 transfer
Fastest
- W34648
8:13 PM 1h25 Reading station (RDG) 9:38 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) $74 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
- W35426
10:13 PM 1h33 Reading station (RDG) 11:46 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) $74 1 One-way 0 transfers - G14945
9:13 PM 1h34 Reading station (RDG) 10:47 PM Cardiff Central (CDF) $74 1 One-way 0 transfers - G14947
11:27 PM 1h40 Reading station (RDG) 1:07 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) $74 1 One-way 0 transfers
- RRRA1 · NX201
1:45 PM 5h05 Reading, Blagrave Street 6:50 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens $65 1 One-way 1 transfer - RRRA1 · NX201
5:25 AM 5h35 Reading, Blagrave Street 11:00 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens $65 1 One-way 1 transfer - RRRA1 · NX201
9:03 PM 4h37 Reading, Blagrave Street 1:40 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens $70 1 One-way 1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Reading 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 Reading to Cardiff.
This is compared to other travel options from Reading to Cardiff:
A bus is $18 (€15) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Reading to Cardiff costing on average $93 (€78).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 58m.
- Around 13 buses per day.
- Around 7 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Reading and Cardiff as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Reading station (RDG) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
- Buses mostly depart from Reading, Blagrave Street and arrive in Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
- Travel with Great Western Railway to go to Cardiff by train.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus to go to Cardiff by bus.
- 6 direct trains per day with Great Western Railway.
- 0 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
Travelling from Reading to Cardiff: related information
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