- Must visit
King Richard III Visitor Centre
Modern museum telling the story of Richard III through archaeology, history and the king’s Leicester burial site.
Cheapest price
£13
Average price
£23
Fastest journey
4 h 50 m
Average duration
6 h 6 m
Buses per day
24
Distance
190 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cardiff to Leicester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Leicester will cost around £23 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £13.
To travel from Cardiff to Leicester you need to make at least one change.
NX111 · NX151
NX509 · NX440
NX509 · NX440
NX507 · NX440
NX509 · NX440
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX202 · NX100 · NX150
NX509 · NX440
NX202 · NX100 · NX777Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Leicester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £18. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 48m. 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 £18, and a train costs an average of £37.
Distance: 190 km
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£24 Average Price Cheapest | £55 Average Price |
6h 8m Average total duration 5h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 18m Average total duration Fastest 2h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Leicester coaches for today, Friday 28 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX202 · NX100 · NX150 | 6:25 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h30 | 12:55 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 2 changes | |
NX509 · NX440 | 6:45 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 8h20 | 15:05 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:45 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h45 | 13:30 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX509 · NX440 | 6:50 Cardiff, University | 8h15 | 15:05 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX507 · NX440 | 7:30 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 8h05 | 15:35 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX507 · NX440 | 7:38 Cardiff, University | 7h57 | 15:35 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX111 · NX151 | 8:30 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h55 | 16:25 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX509 · NX440 | 8:38 Cardiff, University | 8h27 | 17:05 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX509 · NX440 | 10:00 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h55 | 17:55 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX509 · NX440 | 10:08 Cardiff, University | 7h47 | 17:55 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX507 · NX440 | 10:45 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 8h15 | 19:00 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX509 · NX440 | 11:38 Cardiff, University | 8h22 | 20:00 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX507 · NX440 | 12:23 Cardiff, University | 8h17 | 20:40 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX202 · NX100 · NX150 | 12:35 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h40 | 19:15 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 2 changes | |
NX509 · NX440 | 13:45 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h25 | 21:10 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX509 · NX440 | 13:53 Cardiff, University | 7h17 | 21:10 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX509 · NX440 | 14:45 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h55 | 22:40 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 14:50 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h00 | 21:50 Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 1 change | |
NX507 · NX440 | 15:45 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h45 | 23:30 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX507 · NX440 | 15:55 Cardiff, University | 7h35 | 23:30 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX201 · NX101 · NX180 | 16:30 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h20 | 23:50 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 2 changes | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 16:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h00 | 23:40 Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 17:25 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h55 | 0:20 Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda) | 1 change | |
NX509 · NX440 | 17:30 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h45 | 1:15 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX509 · NX440 | 17:40 Cardiff, University | 7h35 | 1:15 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 18:20 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 4h55 | 23:15 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX509 · NX440 | 19:45 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h10 | 2:55 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX509 · NX440 | 19:53 Cardiff, University | 7h02 | 2:55 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
| Saturday 29 August | |||||
NX509 · NX440 | 3:15 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h50 | 10:05 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX202 · NX100 · NX777 | 4:45 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h50 | 11:35 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 2 changes | |
NX509 · NX440 | 4:50 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h40 | 12:30 Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Cardiff to Leicester run on average 32 times per day, taking around 5h 38m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £18 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 00:40, the last at 23:45. The fastest coach covers the 190 km distance in 4h 50m.
Distance 190 km |
Average bus duration 5h 38m |
Cheapest ticket price £18 |
Buses per day 32 |
Fastest bus 4h 50m |
First bus 0:40 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Leicester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Leicester trip today.
Modern museum telling the story of Richard III through archaeology, history and the king’s Leicester burial site.
Leicester’s main art and history museum, with dinosaur galleries, fine art and displays on the city’s people and past.
Museum beside Roman remains, exploring local archaeology from Roman Leicester to later city history in a compact setting.
Lively regenerated waterside with bars, boats, public art and an easy walk linking the city centre to the canal heritage area.
Large central park with formal gardens, broad lawns and space to relax near the university and city centre.
Attractive green space around abbey ruins and the River Soar, good for walks, wildlife and traces of medieval Leicester.
Red Leicester is a crumbly orange cow’s milk cheese from Leicestershire, long linked to the county and traditionally coloured with annatto for its rich hue.
Melton Mowbray pork pie is a hand-raised pie from Leicestershire with seasoned chopped pork and a distinctive free-form crust, traditionally eaten cold.
Stilton is a famous English blue cheese historically traded through Leicestershire, prized for its creamy texture and strong savoury flavour on local cheeseboards.
Popular Indian restaurant on the Golden Mile known for rich curries, tandoori dishes and a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.
Stylish modern British restaurant and bar in St Martins Square, known for seasonal plates, cocktails and a polished but relaxed dining room.
Long-running vegetarian Gujarati restaurant serving thalis, snacks and sweets in a simple, busy setting loved by local families.
Moderate for a UK city. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain fairly affordable for visitors.
Service may be included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is common for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional, often just small change.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Leicester 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 Leicester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cardiff to Leicester buses use the Cardiff, Sophia Gardens to Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Leicester, Fosse Park Avenue (Asda). Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Leicester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens). ATMs are available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens).
Ticket office support is available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens).
Available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens): Accessible for passengers with reduced mobility.
Cardiff, Sophia Gardens has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens. ATMs are available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
Ticket office support is available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
Available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens: Basic accessibility features available.
Leicester, Braunstone is 3 km from Leicester city centre. Public transport options include:
Leicester, Braunstone has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Snack outlets in the nearby vicinity.
Wi-Fi is available at Leicester, Braunstone. ATMs are available at Leicester, Braunstone.
Ticket office support is available at Leicester, Braunstone.
Available at Leicester, Braunstone: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Leicester, Braunstone: Basic wheelchair accessibility.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need