Trains to Cardiff

This page is filled with various pieces of information you'll need if you're planning your Cardiff journey. Here, you will find assorted details about the transport companies facilitating your journey, the green attributes of your target city, and guidance on the monthly budgeting for your trip.

Journey to Cardiff by selecting the train solutions from Transport for Wales,Northern Rail,CrossCountry,Great Western Railway,TfL Rail,Greater Anglia,South Western Railway,Avanti West Coast, where convenience is merely a reservation away.

Popular train routes to Cardiff

Discover popular train routes to Cardiff and book the cheapest train ticket in no time

Popular routesAverage journey durationLowest priceTickets
Stansted - Cardiff3 hrs 33 mins£29.31Book
Minehead - Cardiff3 hrs 40 mins£31.09Book
Marks Tey - Cardiff3 hrs 46 mins£35.05Book
Manchester - Cardiff3 hrs 30 mins£28.36Book
Glasgow - Cardiff6 hrs 21 mins£121.62Book
Colchester - Cardiff3 hrs 41 mins£44.45Book
Bristol - Cardiff0 hrs 53 mins£6.31Book
Birmingham - Cardiff2 hrs 3 mins£19.08Book
Bangor, Gwynedd - Cardiff4 hrs 33 mins£95.74Book
Andover - Cardiff2 hrs 46 mins£38.31Book

Train tickets to Cardiff

Select departure and find the best deals on train tickets to Cardiff.

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.

Greater Anglia, which is operated by the Transport UK Group, provides passenger rail services in the East of England. It operates services on the Great Eastern Main Line from London Liverpool Street to destinations such as Norwich, Ipswich, and Colchester, as well as on the West Anglia Main Line from London Liverpool Street to Cambridge and Stansted Airport. Greater Anglia also operates regional services in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire. The Department for Transport has awarded the operating contract for services until 2025 to Abellio East Anglia Limited.

Northern is a train operating company that provides passenger services across the north of England. Northern is owned by Northern Trains Ltd, a division of "DOHL," the public sector holding company for the Department of Transportation. It is owned by Arriva UK Trains and operates over 2,500 services every weekday, serving cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle.

South Western Railway (SWR) is a train operating company in the United Kingdom that operates passenger services in South West England and parts of Southern England. It was formed in 2017 as a result of the merger of South West Trains and the Island Line Trains. SWR operates services to major cities such as London, Bristol, Southampton, and Portsmouth, as well as smaller towns and villages in the region. The company operates a fleet of modern trains, including electric and diesel multiple units, and provides a range of ticketing options, including season tickets, advance purchase tickets, and flexible fares. SWR is owned by FirstGroup and MTR Corporation.

TfL Rail is a train service operated by Transport for London (TfL) that runs on the eastern section of the Elizabeth line, also known as Crossrail. It connects London Liverpool Street station to Shenfield in Essex, with stops at key locations such as Stratford, Ilford, and Romford. TfL Rail is a precursor to the full Elizabeth line service, which will run from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, with a central section through central London.

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.

Eco-Friendly Travel: Making a Greener Choice - Cardiff

From choosing green cities and sustainable transport options, we guide you through the details of reducing your carbon footprint while exploring the globe

  • Air quality
    30
    Good
  • Renewable energy
    47%
    Moderate
  • Green spaces
    0%
    Low
  • Total score
    48
    Moderate
Rank Cities Air quality Energy Green spaces Total score
1 Stansted 30 47 - 48
2 Minehead 30 47 - 48
3 Marks Tey 30 47 - 48
4 Manchester 30 47 - 48
5 Glasgow 30 47 - 48
6 Colchester 30 47 - 48
7 Bristol 30 47 - 48
8 Birmingham 30 47 - 48
9 Bangor, Gwynedd 30 47 - 48
10 Andover 30 47 - 48
Cheap train tickets to Cardiff
Looking for the best deal on a train ticket for your trip? Here are 4 ways to get cheap train tickets to Cardiff.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip 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 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.