Barnstaple to Cardiff bus with National Express

Fri 18 Sept
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Barnstaple to Cardiff

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£37

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£37

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

5 h 45 m

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

5 h 45 m

Buses on 18 Sept

1

Distance

76 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Barnstaple to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Barnstaple to Cardiff will cost around £37 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £37.

Fast coaches

On Fri 18 Sept, we found 1 buses from Barnstaple to Cardiff, including 1 direct services.

These direct buses cover the 76 km distance in an average of 5 h 45 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 45 m .

The slowest buses will take 5 h 45 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

  • National Express
    8:305h45
    Barnstaple
    14:15Cardiff
    £371One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Barnstaple to Cardiff

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Barnstaple to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £33 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 56m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £33, while a train costs an average of £54.

Distance: 76 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train
Driving

£33

Average Price

Cheapest

£54

Average Price

£34

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

5h 13m

Average total duration

4h 43m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 56m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 26m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 25m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

National Express

Most popular bus company

Great Western Railway

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Barnstaple to Cardiff is a coach with an average price of £33.

This is compared to other travel options from Barnstaple to Cardiff:

A coach is £21 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Barnstaple to Cardiff costing on average £54.

The fastest way to travel from Barnstaple to Cardiff is by train with an average journey time of 3h 26m.

Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:

Coach takes on average 4h 43m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Barnstaple and Cardiff including taking a coach and train.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.

Tickets start at around £33 compared to roughly £34 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £0.33. The journey takes 4h 43m versus 2h 25m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.

Live departures

Barnstaple to Cardiff bus times

The table below shows live departures for Barnstaple to Cardiff coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
National Express7:40 Barnstaple
5h25
13:05 Cardiff0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Barnstaple to Cardiff by coach or train

Compare coach and train 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.

Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept

Why should you book Barnstaple to Cardiff coaches with Omio?

National Express operates all coaches services from Barnstaple to Cardiff.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Barnstaple to Cardiff.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare National Express with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Barnstaple to Cardiff.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Barnstaple to Cardiff.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Barnstaple to Cardiff

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Barnstaple to Cardiff run on average 1 times per day, taking around 4h 43m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £30 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 05:07, the last at 22:30. The fastest coach covers the 76 km distance in 5h 25m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
76 km
Average bus duration
4h 43m
Cheapest ticket price
£30
Buses per day
1
Fastest bus
5h 25m
First bus
5:07
Last bus
22:30
Cheapest Month
Feb
Cheapest Day
Thu
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Mon
Least Busy Day
Mon
Best time to book
2 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: National Express from Barnstaple to CardiffYou can travel by bus between Barnstaple to Cardiff with National Express for as low as £30. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average National Express Duration
5h 25m
Cheapest National Express Price
£30
National Express frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

What's included in each class

Compare National Express classes and the amenities included in each one.

Standard
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs

Complete guide to Cardiff

Things to do in Cardiff

Discover the best of Cardiff — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cardiff trip today.

  • Must visit

National Museum Cardiff

National museum with art, natural history and geology collections, plus Impressionist works and changing exhibitions in Cathays Park.

  • Must visit

St Fagans National Museum of History

Open-air museum of Welsh life with historic buildings, crafts, gardens and rural traditions relocated to spacious grounds west of the city.

  • Recommended

Museum of Cardiff

Museum in a Victorian library celebrating Cardiff’s story through interactive displays, local history and a well-presented city timeline.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for a UK city. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local transport and casual meals stay fairly manageable for most visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
£18-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Service may be included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is usual for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional, usually small change or rounding up.

FAQs: Barnstaple to Cardiff coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Barnstaple to Cardiff by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cardiff, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Barnstaple to Cardiff can start from as little as £30 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Barnstaple to Cardiff is £33; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Barnstaple to Cardiff is 5h 25m to travel the 76 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Barnstaple to Cardiff leaves at 5:07. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Barnstaple to Cardiff leaves at 22:30.
There are 1 coaches a day from Barnstaple to Cardiff which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Barnstaple to Cardiff, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Cardiff. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Barnstaple and Cardiff and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
Passengers board the coach most frequently from Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station), which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens, located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Cardiff from Barnstaple is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 5h 25m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Barnstaple to Cardiff is February.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Barnstaple and Cardiff including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Barnstaple to Cardiff:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Barnstaple to Cardiff for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Barnstaple to Cardiff depends on the coach companies:
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Barnstaple to Cardiff.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Barnstaple to Cardiff:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Barnstaple to Cardiff:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Barnstaple to Cardiff.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Barnstaple to Cardiff with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Barnstaple to Cardiff with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Barnstaple to Cardiff with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Barnstaple and Cardiff

Most Barnstaple to Cardiff buses use the Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station) to Cardiff, Sophia Gardens station pair. Use this guide to compare Barnstaple and Cardiff bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Barnstaple
Arrival bus stations in Cardiff

Which Barnstaple station do buses to Cardiff leave from?

Buses from Barnstaple to Cardiff leave from Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station). The station is from Barnstaple city centre at Silver St, Barnstaple EX32 8RL, UK.
Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station)Silver St, Barnstaple EX32 8RL, UKWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station) from Barnstaple city centre

Bus301, 155, 21C, 29, 21B, 310, 309, 303, 19 · 3m · £2 · every ~10 min

Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station) bus station facilities and services

Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station). ATMs are available at Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station).

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station).

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station): Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Barnstaple, Silver Street (Bus Station): Ramp and accessible toilets available.

More options for your journey from Barnstaple to Cardiff

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