The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff to Barnstaple
Cheapest price
£83
Average price
£83
Fastest journey
4 h 26 m
Average duration
4 h 50 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
76 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff to Barnstaple is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Barnstaple will cost around £83 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £83.
Of the 2 trains that leave Cardiff for Barnstaple every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 76 km distance in an average of 4 h 50 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 26 m .
The slowest trains will take 5 h 13 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.




Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Cardiff to Barnstaple
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Barnstaple 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 train which can get you there in 3h 11m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £33, and a train costs an average of £50.
Distance: 76 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£73 Average Price | £41 Average Price Cheapest |
3h 41m Average total duration Fastest 3h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 58m Average total duration 4h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Cardiff to Barnstaple train times
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Barnstaple trains for today, Friday 7 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 09:00 Cardiff | 4h27 | 13:27 Barnstaple | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Barnstaple 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.
08 Nov
09 Nov
10 Nov
11 Nov
12 Nov
13 Nov
14 Nov
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cardiff to Barnstaple
Trains from Cardiff to Barnstaple run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 11m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £50 but you can travel from only £33 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:47, the last at 22:30. The fastest train covers the 76 km distance in 3h 48m.
Distance 76 km |
Average train duration 3h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price £50 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 3h 48m |
First train 05:47 |
Last train 22:30 |
Train companies: Great Western Rail, CrossCountry, first_great_western from Cardiff to Barnstaple trainsGreat Western Rail, CrossCountry, first_great_western trains will get you between Cardiff and Barnstaple from £33. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Great Western Rail
CrossCountry
first_great_western
FAQs: Cardiff to Barnstaple train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Barnstaple 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 Barnstaple, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Barnstaple
- Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sun: 07:30 - 21:30
- Free Wi-Fi in the station.
- Type of shops available: News agent and convenience store
- Car Park: Brewery Car park
- Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen
- Pret a Manger
- Tesco Express
- Taxi: Taxi rank is on the right as you exit the main station entrance
- There is step-free access in the whole station. There are also ramps for train access and elevators in the station.
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platforms 1 to 8. The National Key toilets are located in the East Subway near the lifts and on Platform 8; these toilets are operated by a radar key and are only available during staffing hours.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The National Key/Accessible toilets are located in the East Subway near the lifts and on Platform 8; these toilets are operated by a RADAR key and are only available during staffing hours.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Clayton Hotel Cardiff
- Cardiff Marriott Hotel
- Travelodge Cardiff Central
- Waiting rooms location: On platforms 1/2, 3/4, 6/7 and 8.
- Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sun: 07:30 - 21:30
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: East end of platforms 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 6 and 7 - also at the front and rear of the station.
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Commuter rail lines: City Line, Rhondda Line, Rhymney Line, Valley Line, South Wales Main Line
- Train lines: Transport for Wales, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: At the rear car park (Penarth Road entrance)
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:15 - 17:50 Saturday 06:15 - 17:50 Sunday 09:20 - 16:40
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Station Masters Cafe
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Step free Category A station - step free access available to the platform. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station.
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided
- Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available
- 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
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 1. The National key toilets are operated by a RADAR key. The RADAR key is available from station staff upon request.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The radar key is available from station staff.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Platform
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Front of the station
Most popular train connections from Cardiff
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