4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest coaches from Edinburgh to Cardiff
Cheapest price
£43
Average price
£59
Fastest journey
14 h 5 m
Average duration
14 h 41 m
Buses per day
11
Distance
497 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Edinburgh to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Cardiff will cost around £59 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £43.
To travel from Edinburgh to Cardiff you need to make at least one change.
FlixBus · FlixBus11:1514h30Edinburgh, Bus Station1:45Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)£431One-way1 change- FlixBus · FlixBus9:0515h40Edinburgh, Bus Station0:45Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)£511One-way1 change
- FlixBus · FlixBus22:4015h00Edinburgh, Bus Station13:40Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)£541One-way1 change
- FlixBus · FlixBus20:4514h55Edinburgh, Bus Station11:40Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)£591One-way1 change
NX591 · NX50910:3515h20Edinburgh, Bus Station1:55Cardiff, Sophia Gardens£591One-way1 change
- NX598 · NX50722:0514h05Edinburgh, Bus Station12:10Cardiff, Sophia Gardens£651One-way1 change
- FlixBus · FlixBus11:1514h30Edinburgh, Bus Station1:45Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)£431One-way1 change
- FlixBus · FlixBus20:4514h55Edinburgh, Bus Station11:40Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)£591One-way1 change
- NX180 · NX101 · NX20221:1014h55Edinburgh, Bus Station12:05Cardiff, Sophia Gardens£681One-way2 changes
- FlixBus · FlixBus22:4015h00Edinburgh, Bus Station13:40Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)£541One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Edinburgh to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £33. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 20m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £33, and a flight costs an average of £83.
Distance: 497 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£53 Average Price Cheapest | £163 Average Price | £164 Average Price |
12h 43m Average total duration 12h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 7m Average total duration 6h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 20m Average total duration Fastest 1h 20m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company |  Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Edinburgh to Cardiff bus times
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Cardiff coaches for today, Sunday 17 May. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 20:45 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 14h55 | 11:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 change | |
| NX598 · NX507 | On time 22:05 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 13h55 | 12:00 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 change | |
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 22:40 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 15h00 | 13:40 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 change | |
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 23:40 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 15h35 | 15:15 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 change | |
| Monday 18 May | |||||
| NX183 · NX100 · NX202 | Delayed 10:45 8:45Edinburgh, Bus Station | 16h05 | 0:50 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 2 changes | |
| NX183 · NX100 · NX202 | Delayed 10:45 8:45Edinburgh, Bus Station | 16h05 | 0:50 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 2 changes | |
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 9:05 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 15h40 | 0:45 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 change | |
| NX591 · NX509 | 10:35 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 15h20 | 1:55 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 1 change | |
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:15 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 14h30 | 1:45 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 1 change | |
| NX183 · NX100 · NX216 | On time 11:45 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 18h00 | 5:45 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 2 changes | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Edinburgh to Cardiff by train, coach or flight
Compare train, coach and flight 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.
18 May
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Why should you book Edinburgh to Cardiff coaches with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs National Express?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for National Express, but also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus or Megabus to find the best option for your trip from Edinburgh to Cardiff.
- 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, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Edinburgh to Cardiff.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus or Megabus to find the best option for your trip from Edinburgh to Cardiff.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Edinburgh to Cardiff.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Edinburgh to Cardiff
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Edinburgh to Cardiff run on average 9 times per day, taking around 12h 13m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £33 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 01:40, the last at 23:40. The fastest coach covers the 497 km distance in 14h 30m.
Distance 497 km |
Average bus duration 12h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price £33 |
Buses per day 9 |
Fastest bus 14h 30m |
First bus 1:40 |
Last bus 23:40 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 42 days |
Bus providers: National Express, FlixBus, Megabus from Edinburgh to CardiffYou can travel by bus between Edinburgh to Cardiff with National Express, FlixBus, Megabus for as low as £33. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
National Express
Megabus
Buses from Edinburgh to Cardiff: Journey Details
National Express is the principal company which offers bus services from Edinburgh to Cardiff. The earliest bus from Edinburgh to Cardiff departs at 6:30 a.m. whilst the latest bus leaves at 9:45 p.m. After 9:00 p.m. Edinburgh to Cardiff bus fares drop considerably. The earliest bus to depart from Edinburgh (the 6:30 a.m. service) arrives in Cardiff at 5:35 p.m. taking just over 11 hours to reach its destination. Buses from Edinburgh to Cardiff (which are provided by National Express) take between 11 and 14.5 hours to reach their destination.
Taking the Bus from Edinburgh
The majority of National Express buses from Edinburgh to Cardiff depart from the main bus and coach station in Edinburgh, which is conveniently located in the heart of the city, within easy walking distance of Prince Street. Situated in St. Andrew’s Square, Edinburgh’s coach and bus station consists both of a general store and of a small shop, which sells drinks and fresh produce. Being in the heart of the city, Edinburgh’s bus and coach station is easily accessible via public transport.
Getting into Cardiff by Bus
Ordinarily, buses from Edinburgh to Cardiff arrive at the central bus station in Cardiff. Like Edinburgh’s coach and bus depot, Cardiff’s central station is within easy walking distance of Cardiff's main shopping centres and attractions. Cardiff is home both to the imposing Millennium Stadium and to Cardiff Castle, which is built on the site of an ancient Roman fort.
FAQs: Edinburgh to Cardiff coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh 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.
- Megabus
- Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Megabus
- Megabus reservations cannot be canceled or refunded, but they can be traded in for another journey up to 3 hours before your original scheduled departure for a fee.
- 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.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- Megabus
- One piece of luggage is included per passenger reservation. For guidance, a piece of luggage must not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) and should not weigh more than 50 pounds (23kg).
- National Express
- Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- Megabus
- Additional luggage can be purchased by buying an additional travel ticket in advance or by adding up to two additional pieces when booking for a fee.
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Edinburgh and Cardiff
WifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
- 06:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Café at the Station (in the station)
- Sandwich Shop (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 10, 11, 12, 16, 22, 25, 26, 44 Trams: T50 Trains: Edinburgh Waverley Station
Most popular bus connections from Edinburgh
More options for your journey from Edinburgh to Cardiff
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Cardiff and Edinburgh
Most popular bus connections
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