4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA)
Cheapest price on 17 Sept
£41
Average ticket price on 17 Sept
£67
Fastest journey on 17 Sept
3 h 49 m
Average journey duration on 17 Sept
3 h 52 m
Trains on 17 Sept
13
Distance
219 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) will cost around £67 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £41.
To travel from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) you need to make at least one change.
G38945+
W848996:463h58Cardiff Central (CDF)10:44Manchester Airport (MIA)£411One-way1 change- G38943+W848934:334h11Cardiff Central (CDF)8:44Manchester Airport (MIA)£411One-way1 change
- Y62730+W848965:483h56Cardiff Central (CDF)9:44Manchester Airport (MIA)£411One-way1 change
- G38947+W849017:533h51Cardiff Central (CDF)11:44Manchester Airport (MIA)£481One-way1 change
- G38967+W849038:553h49Cardiff Central (CDF)12:44Manchester Airport (MIA)£551One-way1 change
- G38967+W849038:553h49Cardiff Central (CDF)12:44Manchester Airport (MIA)£551One-way1 change
- G38949+W849079:533h51Cardiff Central (CDF)13:44Manchester Airport (MIA)£1081One-way1 change
- G38947+W849017:533h51Cardiff Central (CDF)11:44Manchester Airport (MIA)£481One-way1 change
- G38975+W8490810:533h51Cardiff Central (CDF)14:44Manchester Airport (MIA)£1081One-way1 change
- Y62730+W848965:483h56Cardiff Central (CDF)9:44Manchester Airport (MIA)£411One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA)
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £33 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 10m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £33, while a train costs an average of £75.
Distance: 219 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£75 Average Price | £33 Average Price Cheapest | £45 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 10m Average total duration Fastest 3h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 23m Average total duration 5h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 18m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA):
A coach is £42 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) costing on average £75.
Other travel options to Manchester Airport (MIA) take longer:
Coach takes on average 5h 53m.
Tickets start at around £75 compared to roughly £45 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-29.67. The journey takes 3h 40m versus 3h 18m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Live departures
Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) train times
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) trains for tomorrow, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G38943+W84893 | 4:33 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 4h11 | 8:44 Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1 change | |
| Y62730+W84896 | 5:48 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h56 | 9:44 Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1 change | |
| G38945+W84899 | 6:46 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h58 | 10:44 Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1 change | |
| G38947+W84901 | 7:53 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h51 | 11:44 Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1 change | |
 G15041+ G00854+ G89847 | 8:18 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 4h18 | 12:36 Manchester Airport (MIA) | 2 changes | |
| G38967 · G38520 | 8:55 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 4h20 | 13:15 Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1 change | |
| G38967+W84903 | 8:55 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h49 | 12:44 Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1 change | |
| W35432+G66730+G89854 | 9:19 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 4h17 | 13:36 Manchester Airport (MIA) | 2 changes | |
| G38949 · G38523 | 9:53 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 4h22 | 14:15 Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1 change | |
| G38949+W84907 | 9:53 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h51 | 13:44 Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1 change | |
| W35178+G66735+G89861 | 10:18 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 4h18 | 14:36 Manchester Airport (MIA) | 2 changes | |
| G38975 · G38525 | 10:53 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 4h22 | 15:15 Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1 change | |
| G38975+W84908 | 10:53 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 3h51 | 14:44 Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) by train or coach
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.
17 Sept
18 Sept
19 Sept
20 Sept
21 Sept
22 Sept
23 Sept
Why should you book Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs CrossCountry?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for CrossCountry, but also compare tickets for the likes of Transport for Wales to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA).
- 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 CrossCountry with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA).
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Transport for Wales to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA).
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA).
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA)
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) run on average 7 times per day, taking around 3h 40m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £48 but you can travel from only £20 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 06:53, the last at 20:26. The fastest train covers the 219 km distance in 3h 14m.
Distance 219 km |
Average train duration 3h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price £48 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 3h 14m |
First train 6:53 |
Last train 20:26 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Train companies: CrossCountry, Transport for Wales from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) trainsCrossCountry, Transport for Wales trains will get you between Cardiff Central (CDF) and Manchester Airport (MIA) from £20. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
CrossCountry
Transport for Wales
FAQs: Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Manchester Airport (MIA), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff Central (CDF) and Manchester Airport (MIA)
Most Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA) trains use the Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly station pair. Use this guide to compare Cardiff Central (CDF) and Manchester Airport (MIA) train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Getting to Cardiff Central from Cardiff city centre
Cardiff Central train station facilities and services
Cardiff Central has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.
Food and drink
Food options include: Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen, Pret a Manger, Tesco Express
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are located outside of the main entrance.
Tickets and information
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30, Sat: 05:40 - 21:30, Sun: 07:30 - 21:30.
Luggage and lost property
Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Cardiff Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Cardiff Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff Central: There is step-free access in the whole station. There are also ramps for train access and elevators in the station.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Clayton Hotel Cardiff, Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Travelodge Cardiff Central.
Getting to Manchester Airport from Manchester city centre
Manchester Airport is 13 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Manchester Airport train station facilities and services
Manchester Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Airport.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at Manchester Airport. ATMs are available at Manchester Airport.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Airport. Information desks are information available from staff: ,Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 107 2149, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Manchester Airport: Parking, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Manchester Airport: Bike Parking.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Airport: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: re Step free access is provided from the Ground Transport Interchange to all platforms via lifts or ramps. This station is staffed for all services. This station is Category A. Station staff can provide assistance from Meeting Point 1 (adjacent to the Station Booking Office) and throughout the railway station, and with boarding and alighting the train. Customers requiring assistance should make themselves known to station staff no less than 20 minutes prior to the departure time of their train. Customers requiring assistance to access other services or to connect with terminals should request this from their airline or Manchester Airport Group. Assistance can be requested in advance by contacting the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay). Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible public telephones: In the station cafe on platforms 2 and 3, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Most popular train connections from Cardiff Central (CDF)
More options for your journey from Cardiff Central (CDF) to Manchester Airport (MIA)
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Manchester Airport (MIA) and Cardiff Central (CDF)
Most popular train connections to Manchester Airport (MIA)
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