4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Southampton to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Southampton to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $57 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 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 $57, while a train costs an average of $90.
Distance: 86 miles (139 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$90 Average price | $57 Average price Cheapest | $42 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 4m Average total duration Fastest 2h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 52m Average total duration 5h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 37m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg 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 Southampton to Cardiff
Compare the available ways to get from Southampton to Cardiff, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Southampton to Cardiff:
A bus is $34 (€29) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Southampton to Cardiff costing on average $90 (€76).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 52m.
You'll arrive about 3m sooner (2h 34m by train vs 2h 37m by car). Tickets start at around $90 (€76) compared to roughly $42 (€35) 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 Southampton to Cardiff
How to get from Southampton to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Southampton to Cardiff is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
2:05 PM 6h15 Southampton 8:20 PM Cardiff $24 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
2:05 PM 6h15 Southampton 8:20 PM Cardiff $24 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
4:15 PM 6h00 Southampton 10:15 PM Cardiff $28 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
3:45 PM 6h30 Southampton 10:15 PM Cardiff $28 1 One-way 0 transfers8:30 PM 7h05 Southampton 3:35 AM Cardiff $33 1 One-way 0 transfers7:15 AM 6h25 Southampton 1:40 PM Cardiff $45 1 One-way 0 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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FAQs: Travel from Southampton 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 Southampton to Cardiff.
This is compared to other travel options from Southampton to Cardiff:
A bus is $34 (€29) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Southampton to Cardiff costing on average $90 (€76).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 52m.
- Around 16 buses per day.
- Around 7 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Southampton and Cardiff as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Southampton Central (SOU) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
- Buses mostly depart from Southampton, Coach Station and arrive in Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
- Ferries mostly depart from Lymington Pier and arrive in Lymington Pier.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus to go to Cardiff by bus.
- Travel with Great Western Railway to go to Cardiff by train.
- 3 direct trains per day with Great Western Railway.
Travelling from Southampton to Cardiff: related information
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