Nottingham to Cardiff bus with National Express

Fri 04 Sept
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Nottingham to Cardiff

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 04 Sept

Cheapest price on 04 Sept

£13

Average ticket price on 04 Sept

£26

Fastest journey on 04 Sept

7 h 10 m

Average journey duration on 04 Sept

7 h 51 m

Buses on 04 Sept

9

Distance

214 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Nottingham to Cardiff will cost around £26 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £13.

Fast coaches

On Fri 04 Sept, we found 9 buses from Nottingham to Cardiff, including 9 direct services.

These direct buses cover the 214 km distance in an average of 7 h 51 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 10 m .

The slowest buses will take 8 h 40 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.

  • National Express
    4:207h50
    Nottingham
    12:10Cardiff
    £131One-way
    0 changes
  • National Express
    5:207h50
    Nottingham
    13:10Cardiff
    £181One-way
    0 changes
  • National Express
    15:157h44
    Nottingham
    22:59Cardiff
    £181One-way
    0 changes
  • FlixBus
    11:209h05
    Nottingham
    20:25Cardiff
    £271One-way
    0 changes
  • FlixBus
    23:458h40
    Nottingham
    8:25Cardiff
    £271One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Nottingham to Cardiff

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Nottingham to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £19 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 47m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £19, while a train costs an average of £52.

Distance: 214 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train
Driving

£19

Average Price

Cheapest

£52

Average Price

£44

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

6h 27m

Average total duration

5h 57m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 47m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 17m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 6m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.2 - 0.5kg

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

-

CO2 emissions

National Express

Most popular bus company

CrossCountry

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

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

The cheapest way to travel from Nottingham to Cardiff is a coach with an average price of £19.

This is compared to other travel options from Nottingham to Cardiff:

A coach is £33 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Nottingham to Cardiff costing on average £52.

The fastest way to travel from Nottingham to Cardiff is by train with an average journey time of 3h 17m.

Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:

Coach takes on average 5h 57m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Nottingham and Cardiff including taking a coach and train.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.

Tickets start at around £19 compared to roughly £44 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £25. The journey takes 5h 57m versus 3h 6m 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

Nottingham to Cardiff bus times

The table below shows live departures for Nottingham to Cardiff coaches for tomorrow, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
FlixBus3:05 Nottingham
10h35
13:40 Cardiff0 changesdirect
National Express4:20 Nottingham
7h50
12:10 Cardiff0 changesdirect
National Express5:20 Nottingham
7h50
13:10 Cardiff0 changesdirect
FlixBus11:20 Nottingham
9h05
20:25 Cardiff0 changesdirect
FlixBus14:20 Nottingham
10h00
0:20 Cardiff0 changesdirect
National Express15:15 Nottingham
7h44
22:59 Cardiff0 changesdirect
National Express17:45 Nottingham
7h10
0:55 Cardiff0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Nottingham to Cardiff 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.

Fri
04 Sept
Sat
05 Sept
Sun
06 Sept
Mon
07 Sept
Tue
08 Sept
Wed
09 Sept
Thu
10 Sept

Why should you book Nottingham to Cardiff coaches with Omio?

National Express as well as Megabus or FlixBus offer coaches services from Nottingham to Cardiff.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Nottingham to Cardiff.

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 Megabus or FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Nottingham 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 bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Nottingham 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 Megabus or FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Nottingham to Cardiff.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Nottingham to Cardiff.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Nottingham to Cardiff

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Nottingham to Cardiff run on average 27 times per day, taking around 5h 57m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £13 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 00:45, the last at 23:45. The fastest coach covers the 214 km distance in 5h 15m.

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
214 km
Average bus duration
5h 57m
Cheapest ticket price
£13
Buses per day
27
Fastest bus
5h 15m
First bus
0:45
Last bus
23:45
Cheapest Month
Jul
Cheapest Day
Mon
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Apr - Jun
Busiest Day
Sat
Least Busy Day
Mon
Best time to book
14 days
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, Megabus, FlixBus from Nottingham to CardiffYou can travel by bus between Nottingham to Cardiff with National Express, Megabus, FlixBus for as low as £13. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average FlixBus Duration
6h 45m
Cheapest FlixBus Price
£14
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
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.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

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 National Express Duration
5h 15m
Cheapest National Express Price
£13
National Express frequency
4 a day
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.

What's included in each class

Compare National Express classes and the amenities included in each one.

Standard
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs

Megabus

About
Megabus is a low-cost intercity bus service operating across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Known for its affordable fares, including promotional $1 tickets, Megabus offers routes connecting over 500 cities and university campuses in North America. The company provides amenities such as air conditioning, power outlets, free Wi-Fi, and onboard restrooms, with many routes utilizing double-decker buses for scenic views. Megabus aims to provide safe, convenient, and affordable express bus travel.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Megabus Duration
8h 20m
Cheapest Megabus Price
£39
Megabus frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
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).
Additional luggage
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.
Cancellation Policy
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.
Refund
If Megabus fails to provide on-time reliable service for reasons wholly within their control, refunds or alternative travel arrangements may be offered.
Pregnant on board
Being pregnant on board is allowed, but no specific details or restrictions are provided.
Unaccompagned minor
Unaccompanied minors under the age of 17 are not permitted to travel on Megabus.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cold food and drinks, as well as hot drinks with a lid, are allowed on board, but hot food is not.
Seat reservation
Reserved seats can be purchased for an additional fee, starting from £2.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.

What's included in each class

Compare Megabus classes and the amenities included in each one.

Comfort
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs
  • Extra legroom
Front seat
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs
General
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs
Leg
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs
  • Extra legroom
Reservable
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs
Standard
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs
Standard +
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs
Table seat
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs
  • Extra legroom
Top of stairs
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs

Complete guide to Cardiff

Things to do in Cardiff

Discover the best of Cardiff — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cardiff trip today.

  • Must visit

National Museum Cardiff

National museum with art, natural history and geology collections, plus Impressionist works and changing exhibitions in Cathays Park.

  • Must visit

St Fagans National Museum of History

Open-air museum of Welsh life with historic buildings, crafts, gardens and rural traditions relocated to spacious grounds west of the city.

  • Recommended

Museum of Cardiff

Museum in a Victorian library celebrating Cardiff’s story through interactive displays, local history and a well-presented city timeline.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for a UK city. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local transport and casual meals stay fairly manageable for most visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
£18-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Service may be included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is usual for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional, usually small change or rounding up.

FAQs: Nottingham to Cardiff coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Nottingham 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.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Nottingham to Cardiff can start from as little as £13 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Nottingham to Cardiff is £19; 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 Nottingham to Cardiff is 5h 15m to travel the 214 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 Nottingham to Cardiff leaves at 0:45. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Nottingham to Cardiff leaves at 23:45.
There are 27 coaches a day from Nottingham to Cardiff which require at least one change with National Express, Megabus, FlixBus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Nottingham to Cardiff, you can count on National Express, Megabus, FlixBus for the best way to get you to Cardiff. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Nottingham and Cardiff and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Nottingham , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station, Nottingham, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R), Nottingham, North Entrance (Stop UN14) . When arriving in Cardiff , you can end your route in coach stations like Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens), Cardiff, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Kingsway (Stop GB), Cardiff, University, Newport, Queensway, Weston-super-Mare, Regent St (Interchange), Weston-super-Mare, Diamond Batch Car Park Stop (Worle Station), Cardiff, North Road (St Josephs Convent).Passengers board the coach most frequently from Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station, which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens), located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Cardiff from Nottingham is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 5h 15m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Nottingham to Cardiff is July.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Nottingham and Cardiff including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Nottingham to Cardiff:
  • 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.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Nottingham to Cardiff for coach company National Express, Megabus, FlixBus.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Nottingham to Cardiff depends on the coach companies:
  • 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.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express, FlixBus.
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 Nottingham to Cardiff.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Nottingham to Cardiff:
  • 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).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Nottingham to Cardiff:
  • 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.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Nottingham to Cardiff. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Nottingham to Cardiff with the following coach company: National Express, Megabus, FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Nottingham to Cardiff with the following coach company: National Express, Megabus, FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Nottingham to Cardiff with the following coach company: National Express, Megabus, FlixBus.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Nottingham and Cardiff

Most Nottingham to Cardiff buses use the Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station to Cardiff, Sophia Gardens station pair, with some services arriving at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens). Use this guide to compare Nottingham and Cardiff bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Nottingham
Arrival bus stations in Cardiff

Which Nottingham station do buses to Cardiff leave from?

Buses from Nottingham to Cardiff leave from Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station. The station is 1 km from Nottingham city centre at Canal Street, Nottingham NG1 7EH, United Kingdom.
Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus StationCanal Street, Nottingham NG1 7EH, United KingdomWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station from Nottingham city centre

BusLc9 · 4m · £2 · every ~1 min

Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station bus station facilities and services

Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: Cafeteria Broadmarsh (in the station), Fast Food Express (in the station), Coffee Corner (in the station).

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station: Elevators, ramps.

Nottingham, University of NottinghamParkingATMWCBike Parking
City-centre transport

Getting to Nottingham, University of Nottingham from Nottingham city centre

BusSn · 6m · £4 · every ~12 min
18a · 11m · every ~1 min
Igo · 13m · £4 · every ~24 min
36U, 34C · 19m · every ~4 min
TramTram · 14m · £4 · every ~29 min
Tram · 16m · £4 · every ~29 min

Nottingham, University of Nottingham bus station facilities and services

Nottingham, University of Nottingham has practical services for this route, including Parking, ATM, WC and Bike Parking.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

ATMs are available at Nottingham, University of Nottingham.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Nottingham, University of Nottingham: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Nottingham, University of Nottingham: Bike Parking.

Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R)Millennium Way E, Nottingham, UKWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R) from Nottingham city centre

Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R) is 5 km from Nottingham city centre. Public transport options include:

Bus1 · 22m · £4 · every ~18 min
1 · 23m · £4 · every ~18 min
70B, 70, 71B, 71 · 25m · every ~8 min
631 · 31m
TramTram · 21m · £4 · every ~26 min

Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R) bus station facilities and services

Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R) 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 Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R). ATMs are available at Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R).

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R).

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R): Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R): Wheelchair accessible paths available.

More options for your journey from Nottingham to Cardiff

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeCoachesCoach tickets to Cardiff Nottingham to Cardiff bus

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