Cardiff to Chester bus with National Express

Sat 28 Feb
+ Add return
National Express
Transport for Wales
FlixBus
Alsa
Swiss Tours
1,000+ travel companies
National Express
Transport for Wales
FlixBus
Alsa
Swiss Tours
1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Cardiff to Chester

Showing times and prices for 01 Mar

Cheapest price

£20

Average price

£21

Fastest journey

7 h 10 m

Average duration

9 h 33 m

Buses per day

3

Distance

191 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Cardiff to Chester will cost around £21 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £20.

Fast coaches

Of the 3 buses that leave Cardiff for Chester every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct buses cover the 191 km distance in an average of 9 h 33 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 10 m .

The slowest buses will take 11 h 30 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.

FlixBus
06:107h10
Cardiff
13:20Chester
£201One-way
0 changes
National Express
12:5010h00
Cardiff
22:50Chester
£221One-way
0 changes
FlixBus
07:1011h30
Cardiff
18:40Chester
£231One-way
0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Cardiff to Chester

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Chester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £9. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 11m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £9, and a train costs an average of £16.

Distance: 191 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train

£20

Average Price

Cheapest

£54

Average Price

5h 6m

Average total duration

4h 36m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 41m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 11m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.2 - 0.5kg

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest
National Express

Most popular bus company

Transport for Wales

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Cardiff to Chester bus times

The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Chester coaches for today, Saturday 28 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at 11:45
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
national_express15:05 Cardiff
7h45
22:50 Chester0 changesdirect
meinfernbus_flixbus17:15 Cardiff
12h05
05:20 Chester0 changesdirect
Sunday 1 March
meinfernbus_flixbus06:10 Cardiff
7h10
13:20 Chester0 changesdirect
meinfernbus_flixbus07:10 Cardiff
11h30
18:40 Chester0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Chester by train or coach

Compare train and coach 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.

Sun
01 Mar
Mon
02 Mar
Tue
03 Mar
Wed
04 Mar
Thu
05 Mar
Fri
06 Mar
Sat
07 Mar

Why should you book Cardiff to Chester coaches with Omio?

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

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 train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff to Chester.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

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

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Cardiff to Chester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Cardiff to Chester run on average 3 times per day, taking around 4h 36m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £9 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 00:30, the last at 23:45. The fastest coach covers the 191 km distance in 5h 45m.

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
191 km
Average bus duration
4h 36m
Cheapest ticket price
£9
Buses per day
3
Fastest bus
5h 45m
First bus
00:30
Last bus
23:45
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 Cardiff to ChesterYou can travel by bus between Cardiff to Chester with National Express for as low as £9. 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 Duration
5h 45m
Cheapest Price
£21
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.

FAQs: Cardiff to Chester coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Chester 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 Chester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Cardiff to Chester can start from as little as £9 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Cardiff to Chester is £20; 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 Cardiff to Chester is 5h 45m to travel the 191 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 Cardiff to Chester leaves at 0:30. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Cardiff to Chester leaves at 23:45.
There are 3 coaches a day from Cardiff to Chester which require at least one change with National Express, Transport for Wales. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Cardiff to Chester, you can count on National Express, Transport for Wales for the best way to get you to Chester. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Cardiff and Chester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Chester from Cardiff is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 5h 45m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Cardiff to Chester is August.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cardiff and Chester including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Cardiff to Chester:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
  • Transport for Wales
    • Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance service available
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Cardiff to Chester for coach company National Express, Transport for Wales.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Cardiff to Chester 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.
  • Transport for Wales
    • Refund policy depends on ticket type
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 Cardiff to Chester.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Cardiff to Chester:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
  • Transport for Wales
    • 2 large items of luggage and 1 small hand luggage included
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Cardiff to Chester:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Cardiff to Chester. The following conditions apply:
  • Transport for Wales
    • Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs allowed with ticket (£5 per day). Guide dogs free
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Cardiff to Chester with the following coach company: National Express, Transport for Wales
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Cardiff to Chester with the following coach company: National Express, Transport for Wales.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Cardiff to Chester with the following coach company: National Express, Transport for Wales.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Chester

Cardiff
Chester
The major coach station for departures in Cardiff is Cardiff, Sophia Gardens. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens for your trip from Cardiff to Chester.
Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
information
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
information
Cardiff, University
information

More options for your journey from Cardiff to Chester

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