- Must visit
Museum of Liverpool
A major museum covering Liverpool’s global links, city life and transport, with family-friendly displays and broad local history.
Cheapest price
£20
Average price
£29
Fastest journey
6 h 10 m
Average duration
7 h 55 m
Buses per day
11
Distance
215 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cardiff to Liverpool is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Liverpool will cost around £29 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £20.
To travel from Cardiff to Liverpool you need to make at least one change.
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX111 · NX541
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX111 · NX541
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX202 · NX100 · NX541Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Liverpool among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £16. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 55m. 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 £16, and a train costs an average of £30.
Distance: 215 km
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£25 Average Price Cheapest | £57 Average Price |
6h 13m Average total duration 5h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 25m Average total duration Fastest 3h 55m 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 Liverpool coaches for today, Wednesday 19 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:10 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 7h40 | 13:50 Liverpool, Liverpool One | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:10 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 12h05 | 19:15 Liverpool, Liverpool One | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:55 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 11h40 | 20:35 Liverpool, Liverpool One | 1 change | |
NX111 · NX541 | 9:35 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 7h55 | 17:30 Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:15 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 8h20 | 20:35 Liverpool, Liverpool One | 1 change | |
NX202 · NX100 · NX541 | 12:35 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 9h30 | 22:05 Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place | 2 changes | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 13:05 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 11h25 | 0:30 Liverpool, Liverpool One | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 18:20 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 6h10 | 0:30 Liverpool, Liverpool One | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 18:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 11h25 | 6:05 Liverpool, Liverpool One | 1 change | |
| Thursday 20 August | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 12h10 | 13:50 Liverpool, Liverpool One | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 5:00 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 11h30 | 16:30 Liverpool, Liverpool One | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Cardiff to Liverpool run on average 8 times per day, taking around 5h 40m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £14 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 00:30, the last at 23:45. The fastest coach covers the 215 km distance in 6h 10m.
Distance 215 km |
Average bus duration 5h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price £14 |
Buses per day 8 |
Fastest bus 6h 10m |
First bus 0:30 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 77 days |
Discover the best of Liverpool — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Liverpool trip today.
A major museum covering Liverpool’s global links, city life and transport, with family-friendly displays and broad local history.
An extensive museum of archaeology, world cultures and natural history, known for varied displays and free family visits.
A waterfront gallery with British art, decorative works and changing exhibitions in a landmark dockside building.
Liverpool’s revived dock complex with museums, waterfront walks, historic warehouses and some of the city’s best views.
A compact central quarter known for independent shops, street art, music venues and a lively creative atmosphere.
A broad Georgian street lined with cultural venues, gardens and major civic buildings, ideal for a scenic walk.
A hearty beef stew with root vegetables, long linked to Liverpool’s dockworkers and home cooking. It is one of the city’s best-known traditional dishes.
A lighter local variation of scouse made with lamb or mutton, potatoes and vegetables. It reflects older Liverpool home-style cooking traditions.
A local bakery favourite made from leftover cake pieces bound with sweet filling and covered in icing or chocolate. It is strongly associated with Liverpool bakeries.
Refined modern British tasting menus in an intimate, polished setting. A strong choice for a special meal in central Liverpool.
Historic pub famed for serving traditional scouse and classic British comfort food in a busy, characterful city-centre setting.
Long-established seafood restaurant known for fresh fish, shellfish and a smart but relaxed dining room near the waterfront.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while buses, trains and attractions can still add up in peak periods.
Service is sometimes included in restaurants; otherwise tip about 10%. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional, usually just small change.
Official public transport app
Liverpool ONE, Liverpool -> Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool
The easiest way to travel between these two cities is by National Express coach services who provide the fastest buses from Cardiff to Liverpool. National Express operate 1 direct journey per day which departs in the morning and takes 6.5 hours. There are four further journeys per day which take from just 5.5 hours and involve a change in Birmingham. Coaches depart from Cardiff Coach Station at Sophia Gardens and arrive at Liverpool One Bus Station which is a short walk from the city centre and Liverpool Central and James Street railways stations.
Buses from Cardiff to Liverpool now leave from the National Express stop at Sophia Gardens. The ticket office opens at 7:00 a.m. from Monday to Friday and at 8:00 a.m. on Sundays. It closes at 6:15 p.m. every day. Sophia Gardens is located some distance away from the city centre on the west bank of the Taff river. Passengers can reach the stop via buses 24, 63 and M3 from the city centre. Taxis are also available.
Situated in a prime location where the Mersey River flows into the Irish Sea, Liverpool has always been a maritime city. Today the city's nautical heritage can be found in Merseyside Maritime Museum, the paintings at Tate Liverpool, and the iconic trio of the Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building that stand proud on the waterfront. Visitors can also enjoy a thriving shopping, dining and nightlife scene, and take a Magical Mystery Tour in search of the city's most famous sons, the Beatles. Buses from Cardiff to Liverpool arrive at the coach station on Norton Street. Though not central, it's located near the cultural quarter and St John's Shopping Centre, and around 800 metres from Lime Street Railway Station.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Liverpool 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 Liverpool, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cardiff to Liverpool buses use the Cardiff, Sophia Gardens to Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place station pair, with some services arriving at Liverpool, Liverpool One. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Liverpool bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
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.
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.
Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place is 1 km from Liverpool city centre. Public transport options include:
Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café in the Station (in the station), Fast Food Outlet (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place.
Available at Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place: Elevators, ramps.
Liverpool, Liverpool One is 1 km from Liverpool city centre. Public transport options include:
Liverpool, Liverpool One has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Pret A Manger (in the station), Costa Coffee (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Liverpool, Liverpool One.
Available at Liverpool, Liverpool One: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Liverpool, Liverpool One: Elevators, ramps.
Liverpool, Edge Lane Drive is 4 km from Liverpool city centre. Public transport options include:
Liverpool, Edge Lane Drive has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Liverpool, Edge Lane Drive. ATMs are available at Liverpool, Edge Lane Drive.
Ticket office support is available at Liverpool, Edge Lane Drive.
Available at Liverpool, Edge Lane Drive: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Liverpool, Edge Lane Drive: Accessible for passengers with reduced mobility.
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