4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest coaches from Cardiff to Stansted
Cheapest price on 15 Sept
£24
Average ticket price on 15 Sept
£27
Fastest journey on 15 Sept
6 h 35 m
Average journey duration on 15 Sept
6 h 49 m
Buses on 15 Sept
2
Distance
241 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cardiff to Stansted is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Stansted will cost around £27 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £24.
On Tue 15 Sept, we found 2 buses from Cardiff to Stansted, including 2 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 241 km distance in an average of 6 h 49 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 35 m .
The slowest buses will take 7 h 2 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.
15:537h02Cardiff22:55Stansted£241One-way0 changes- 13:306h35Cardiff20:05Stansted£301One-way0 changes
- 13:306h35Cardiff20:05Stansted£301One-way0 changes
- 15:537h02Cardiff22:55Stansted£241One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Cardiff to Stansted
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Stansted among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £25 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 23m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £25, while a train costs an average of £54.
Distance: 241 km
Compare bus with
Most popular Coach | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£25 Average Price Cheapest | £54 Average Price | £49 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 52m Average total duration 5h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 23m Average total duration Fastest 2h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 31m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Stansted:
A coach is £29 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Stansted costing on average £54.
Other travel options to Stansted take longer:
Coach takes on average 5h 22m.
Tickets start at around £25 compared to roughly £49 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £25. The journey takes 5h 22m versus 3h 31m 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
Cardiff to Stansted bus times
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Stansted coaches for today, Monday 14 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NX509 · NXA8 | 18:45 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 6h15 | 1:00 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 1 change | |
| Tuesday 15 September | |||||
| 13:30 Cardiff | 6h35 | 20:05 Stansted | 0 changesdirect | |
| 15:53 Cardiff | 7h02 | 22:55 Stansted | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Stansted 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.
15 Sept
16 Sept
17 Sept
18 Sept
19 Sept
20 Sept
21 Sept
Why should you book Cardiff to Stansted coaches with Omio?
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 Cardiff to Stansted.
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 Cardiff to Stansted.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Cardiff to Stansted
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Cardiff to Stansted run on average 15 times per day, taking around 5h 22m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £21 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 01:05, the last at 23:50. The fastest coach covers the 241 km distance in 6h 20m.
Distance 241 km |
Average bus duration 5h 22m |
Cheapest ticket price £21 |
Buses per day 15 |
Fastest bus 6h 20m |
First bus 1:05 |
Last bus 23:50 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 49 days |
Bus providers: National Express from Cardiff to StanstedYou can travel by bus between Cardiff to Stansted with National Express for as low as £21. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
National Express
FAQs: Cardiff to Stansted coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Stansted 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 Stansted, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
- 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.
- National Express
- Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Stansted
Most Cardiff to Stansted buses use the Cardiff, Sophia Gardens to Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Stansted bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Which Cardiff station do buses to Stansted leave from?
Getting to Cardiff, Sophia Gardens from Cardiff city centre
Cardiff, Sophia Gardens 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 and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens. ATMs are available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens: Basic accessibility features available.
Getting to Cardiff, University from Cardiff city centre
Getting to Cardiff, North Road (St Josephs Convent) from Cardiff city centre
Cardiff, North Road (St Josephs Convent) is 2 km from Cardiff city centre. Public transport options include:
Cardiff, North Road (St Josephs Convent) bus station facilities and services
Cardiff, North Road (St Josephs Convent) 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 Cardiff, North Road (St Josephs Convent). ATMs are available at Cardiff, North Road (St Josephs Convent).
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Cardiff, North Road (St Josephs Convent).
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Cardiff, North Road (St Josephs Convent): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff, North Road (St Josephs Convent): Basic accessibility features available for limited mobility.
Most popular bus connections from Cardiff
More options for your journey from Cardiff to Stansted
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Stansted and Cardiff
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