Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Swindon to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Swindon to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €17 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 37m. 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 €17, while a train costs an average of €40.
Distance: 60 miles (97 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€40 Average price | €17 Average price Cheapest | €22 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 37m Average total duration Fastest 1h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 10m Average total duration 2h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 26m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg 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 Swindon to Cardiff
Compare the available ways to get from Swindon to Cardiff, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Swindon to Cardiff:
A bus is €24 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Swindon to Cardiff costing on average €40.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 10m.
You'll arrive about 19m sooner (1h 7m by train vs 1h 26m by car). Tickets start at around €40 compared to roughly €22 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 Swindon to Cardiff
How to get from Swindon to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Swindon to Cardiff is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus1:40 AM 1h45 Swindon, Regent Circus (Stop C) 3:25 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) €8 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
FlixBus1:40 AM 1h45 Swindon, Regent Circus (Stop C) 3:25 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) €8 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
G1493710:11 AM 0h56 Swindon station (SWI) 11:07 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) €41 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
G1493810:42 AM 0h58 Swindon station (SWI) 11:40 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) €41 1 One-way 0 transfers
G149369:40 AM 0h57 Swindon station (SWI) 10:37 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) €41 1 One-way 0 transfers
G149359:10 AM 1h02 Swindon station (SWI) 10:12 AM Cardiff Central (CDF) €41 1 One-way 0 transfers
FlixBus9:45 AM 1h55 Swindon, Regent Circus (Stop C) 11:40 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) €8 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
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.
More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.
FAQs: Travel from Swindon 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 Swindon to Cardiff.

This is compared to other travel options from Swindon to Cardiff:
A bus is €24 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Swindon to Cardiff costing on average €40.
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 10m.
- Around 7 trains per day.
- Around 2 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Swindon and Cardiff as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Swindon station (SWI) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
- Buses mostly depart from Swindon, Regent Circus (Stop C) and arrive in Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens).
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Cardiff by bus.
- Travel with Great Western Railway, CrossCountry, Transport for Wales to go to Cardiff by train.
- 1 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 6 direct trains per day with Great Western Railway.
Travelling from Swindon to Cardiff: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
