Train Edinburgh - Cardiff prices from £75.49

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£75.49

Edinburgh to Cardiff by train

The journey from Edinburgh to Cardiff by train is 309.34 mi and takes 6 hrs 57 mins. There are 12 connections per day, with the first departure at 06:05 and the last at 18:52. It is possible to travel from Edinburgh to Cardiff by train for as little as £75.49 or as much as £229.32. The best price for this journey is £75.49.

Lowest Price£75.49
Journey Duration6 hrs 57 mins
Connection per Day12
Lowest Price£75.49
Highest Price£229.32
First Departure06:05
Last Departure18:52
Distance309.34 mi
DepartureEdinburgh
ArrivalCardiff
CarriersCrossCountry, Great Western RailwayMore

Edinburgh to Cardiff Train Times

Departure date
Friday, 29 Mar 2024

Traveling from Edinburgh to Cardiff with Virail

Virail's search tool will provide you with the options you need when you want to go from Edinburgh to Cardiff. All you need to do is enter the dates of your planned journey, and let us take care of everything else. Our engine does the hard work, searching through thousands of routes offered by our trusted travel partners to show you options for traveling by train, bus, plane, or carpool. You can filter the results to suit your needs. There are a number of filtering options, including price, one-way or round trip, departure or arrival time, duration of journey, or number of connections. Soon you'll find the best choice for your journey. When you're ready, Virail will transfer you to the provider's website to complete the booking. No matter where you're going, get there with Virail.

How much does it cost to get from Edinburgh to Cardiff by train?

When you're traveling from Edinburgh to Cardiff, you can expect to pay an average of approximately £212.01. You might be able to find prices as low as £75.49, but it all depends on how you travel. Some forms of transport are cheaper than others, and prices will vary according to time of day, day of the week, season, and other factors. For the cheapest train tickets, make your reservation well in advance. If you can, travel at an off-peak time, as train ticket prices will often be reduced. You might also be able to save money by booking a connecting journey, rather than a direct route. Be sure to check the conditions of the ticket before booking, as sometimes cheaper train tickets cannot be changed or refunded. Use Virail to check your options before booking, to ensure that you find the lowest price for your journey.
Unfortunately, no price was found for your trip from Edinburgh to Cardiff. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find price results.
Prices will vary when you travel from Edinburgh to Cardiff. On average, though, you'll pay about £212.01 for a train ticket. If you're looking for a low price, you may need to prepare to spend more time in transit. You can also often find cheaper train tickets at particular times of day, or on certain days of the week. Of course, ticket prices often change during the year, too; expect to pay more in peak season. For the lowest prices, it's usually best to make your reservation in advance. Be careful, though, as many providers do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest train tickets.

How long does it take to get from Edinburgh to Cardiff by train?

The average journey time is 6 hrs 57 mins. This is how long it takes to cross the 309.34 mi from Edinburgh to Cardiff. When planning your journey, remember that delays are a possibility. Some unplanned events could cause your journey from Edinburgh to Cardiff to take longer than 6 hrs 57 mins. The journey between Edinburgh and Cardiff by train usually takes 6 hrs 57 mins to cover a distance of 309.34 mi. The shortest journey from Edinburgh to Cardiff will take you 5 hrs 53 mins. Remember, as always, that this time does not include any delays that might occur due to weather conditions, construction, or unexpected diversions and disruptions. If arriving in Cardiff quickly is a priority for you, look for express or non-stop services. You may also find that a connecting route reaches your destination faster than some direct journeys. Virail will allow you to explore all your options and come to a decision that suits your needs.

When do the first and last departures from Edinburgh to Cardiff leave?

If you want to set off early, take the first departure of the day from Edinburgh to Cardiff, which usually leaves at 06:05. The last scheduled departure of the day is normally at 18:52. These timetables may vary depending on the day of the week, or at different times of year. The first departure of the night from Edinburgh to Cardiff leaves at 06:05, while the last journey sets out at 18:52. These are according to the standard schedules for the route between Edinburgh and Cardiff. However, different providers' timetables can vary from day to day or month to month, so these particular departures may not be available every day. Some providers may change their schedules on public holidays and weekends, or during the summer months. Check your travel dates when making your booking.

Which stations are used when traveling from Edinburgh to Cardiff?

In Edinburgh, departure stations include The Mound (Stop MB),Edinburgh Waverley,Edinburgh Haymarket. When you arrive in Cardiff, you may be able to disembark at stations such as Cardiff Central,Cardiff Kingsway Stop GC,Heath Low Level,Cardiff (Cathays). Remember though that the exact stations served on each route can vary. Different providers may depart from and arrive at different stations. Furthermore, if you travel on an express service, the number of stations may be limited, and the exact stations served on a particular route may vary at different times of day or day of the week. Check in advance to ensure that you are departing from and arriving at a station that is convenient for your journey.

How many journeys from Edinburgh to Cardiff are there every day?

On average, there are 12 daily departures from Edinburgh to Cardiff. However, there may be more or less on different days. Providers' timetables can change on certain days of the week or public holidays, and many also vary at particular times of year. Some providers change their schedules during the summer season, for example. At very busy times, there may be up to departures each day. The providers that travel along this route include , and each operates according to their own specific schedules. As a traveler, you may prefer a direct journey, or you may not mind making changes and connections. If you have heavy suitcases, a direct journey could be best; otherwise, you might be able to save money and enjoy more flexibility by making a change along the way. Every day, there are an average of 0 departures from Edinburgh which travel directly to Cardiff. There are 12 journeys with one change or more. Unfortunately, no connection was found for your trip from Edinburgh to Cardiff. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find connections.

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Compare prices and tickets from Edinburgh to Cardiff

Cheap train tickets from Edinburgh to Cardiff
Looking for the best deal on a train ticket for your trip? Here are 4 ways to get cheap train tickets from Edinburgh to Cardiff.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Edinburgh to Cardiff, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Edinburgh to Cardiff.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

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Best time to book Edinburgh to Cardiff travel

Virail Pro Tip ✌: Booking 10 days in advance save 10% on average

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Edinburgh to Cardiff

The cheapest Edinburgh - Cardiff train tickets can be found for as low as £95.11 if you’re lucky, or £179.57 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as £223.26.

Find the best day to travel to Cardiff by train

When travelling to Cardiff by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Carriers on this route

Find out more about the carriers on this route.

Great Western Railway (GWR) is a British railway company that operates passenger services between London and the southwest of England, as well as parts of Wales. It was founded in 1833 and was originally known as the Great Western Railway Company. GWR is now owned by FirstGroup. The company is known for its iconic green livery and its historic steam locomotives, including the famous Flying Scotsman.

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is a train operating company in the United Kingdom that operates intercity services on the "East Coast Main Line" between London, Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland. It was formed in 2018 as a result of the UK government's decision to terminate the franchise of Virgin Trains East Coast. LNER is owned by the Department for Transport and managed by the operator of the East Coast Partnership, a joint venture between infrastructure company Network Rail and train operator FirstGroup. LNER operates a fleet of electric and diesel trains, including the Azuma, which is the fastest train in the UK.

The Welsh Government owns the non-profit organization Transport for Wales. It is responsible for the procurement and management of passenger rail services in Wales, as well as the development of the Welsh rail network. The company was established in 2018, taking over from Arriva Trains Wales, and operates services across Wales and the Borders. Transport for Wales is a great choice for your journeys within Wales, such as Cardiff to Aberdare or Newport to Swansea, or for your trips in England, like Manchester to Chester or Birmingham to Shrewsbury, and even for your travel between England and Wales.

Services on board Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales and London North Eastern Railway from Edinburgh to Cardiff
Compare services on board when travelling from Edinburgh to Cardiff by train.
Facilities Great Western Railway Transport for Wales London North Eastern Railway Avanti West Coast
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power_sockets Power sockets check check check check
luggage Luggage check check check cross
food_and_drink Food and drink check check check check

Edinburgh to Cardiff CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology
Train
34.85kg
Bus
37.34kg
Flight
99.57kg
Car
79.65kg
What are the CO2 emissions from Edinburgh to Cardiff by train? The CO2 emissions from taking the train between Edinburgh and Cardiff are 34.85kg.
How much CO2 do I save by taking the train between Edinburgh and Cardiff? By taking the train between Edinburgh and Cardiff you will save 64.72kg CO2 emissions compared to a flight, 2.49kg compared to a bus and 44.8kg compared to a car.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a train ticket from Edinburgh to Cardiff?
A train ticket from Edinburgh to Cardiff is £212.01. However the price varies depending on how early you buy, and if it's peak time to travel. Occasionally you can find them for as cheap as £75.49.
What's the cheapest train ticket from Edinburgh to Cardiff?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Edinburgh to Cardiff is £75.49. We recommend booking as early as possible and off-peak hours to get the cheapest ticket possible. Off-peak times are usually from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00.
What's the distance between Edinburgh and Cardiff by train?
Edinburgh to Cardiff is 309.34 mi.
How long does the train between Edinburgh and Cardiff take?
Edinburgh to Cardiff is on average 6 hrs 57 mins. However the fastest option will get you there in 5 hrs 53 mins.
Which companies operate from Edinburgh to Cardiff?
The train journey from Edinburgh to Cardiff is covered by 4 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales, London North Eastern Railway and Avanti West Coast.
How many train connections per day go from Edinburgh to Cardiff?
Edinburgh to Cardiff has 12 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first train from Edinburgh to Cardiff leave?
The earliest train from Edinburgh to Cardiff departs at 06:05. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What time does the last train from Edinburgh to Cardiff depart?
The latest train from Edinburgh to Cardiff departs at 18:52. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
Should I book my ticket from Edinburgh to Cardiff in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest train ticket we have found is £75.49 but this may be subject to change depending on the day of travel, hour you wish to depart and how far in advance you book.
What's the fastest journey time between Edinburgh to Cardiff by train?
The fastest journey time by train between Edinburgh and Cardiff is 5 hrs 53 mins.
Is there a direct train from Edinburgh to Cardiff?
Yes, there is a direct train between Edinburgh and Cardiff.
What are the CO2 emissions for Edinburgh to Cardiff by train?
The train journey from Edinburgh to Cardiff creates 34.85kg of CO2 emissions.

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