- Must visit
Basing House
Open-air historic site with museum displays, Tudor ruins, and Civil War stories. A strong choice for understanding the area's dramatic past.
Cheapest price
£56
Average price
£56
Fastest journey
3 h
Average duration
3 h
Trains per day
1
Distance
147 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff to Basingstoke is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Basingstoke will cost around £56 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £56.
Of the 1 trains that leave Cardiff for Basingstoke every day 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 147 km distance in an average of 3 h but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 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.


Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Basingstoke among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £13. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 34m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £13, and a train costs an average of £43.
Distance: 147 km
| Train | Most popular Coach |
|---|---|
£54 Average Price | £16 Average Price Cheapest |
3h 4m Average total duration Fastest 2h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 43m Average total duration 5h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Basingstoke trains for today, Monday 17 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:28 Cardiff | 3h00 | 12:28 Basingstoke | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Cardiff to Basingstoke run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 34m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £43 but you can travel from only £13 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:07, the last at 22:38. The fastest train covers the 147 km distance in 2h 58m.
Distance 147 km |
Average train duration 2h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price £43 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 2h 58m |
First train 5:07 |
Last train 22:38 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Basingstoke — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Basingstoke trip today.
Open-air historic site with museum displays, Tudor ruins, and Civil War stories. A strong choice for understanding the area's dramatic past.
National Trust house with collections, furnished interiors, and garden history. Visit for art, architecture, and a fuller picture of country-house life.
Local museum telling the story of Basingstoke and Deane through archaeology, art, and changing displays in the historic Market Place.
Large country park with woodland walks, a lake, viewpoints, and family trails. Popular for fresh air and easy outdoor time near the town centre.
Landscaped park with boating lake, footpaths, play areas, and open lawns. Good for relaxed walks close to central Basingstoke.
Restored canal route with towpath walks, wildlife, and waterside views. A favourite local area for gentle walking and quieter scenery.
A Hampshire pub classic: sausages served with mashed potato and onion gravy. It is a staple in local pubs across Basingstoke and the wider county.
Traditional suet pastry stuffed with steak and kidney. This hearty southern English dish is long associated with pub dining in Hampshire.
A cold meat pie made with seasoned pork in hot-water crust pastry. It is a classic lunch and picnic food in Hampshire and across southern England.
Smart modern Indian restaurant known for polished service, curries and grills in a contemporary setting near the town centre.
Popular Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant serving grilled meats, meze and flatbreads in a lively, relaxed atmosphere.
Traditional pub venue for cask ales and classic British plates, especially roast dinners, in a historic and characterful setting.
Moderate for southern England. Hotels and dining cost more than many UK towns, but local buses and casual meals are manageable for most visitors.
Service is sometimes included in restaurants; otherwise tip around 10% for good service. Taxis are often rounded up or tipped 10%. Tipping in cafés is optional.
Official public transport app
Basingstoke station -> Festival Place Bus Station, Basingstoke
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Basingstoke 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 Basingstoke, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cardiff to Basingstoke trains use the Cardiff Central to Basingstoke station pair. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Basingstoke train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like 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 options include: Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen, Pret a Manger, Tesco Express
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are located outside of the main entrance.
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30, Sat: 05:40 - 21:30, Sun: 07:30 - 21:30.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cardiff Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Cardiff Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
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.
Nearby hotels include Clayton Hotel Cardiff, Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Travelodge Cardiff Central.
Cathays has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Cathays.
Ticket office support is available at Cathays. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 03333 211202, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cathays: Parking.
Available at Cathays: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cathays: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B3. While both platforms are step-free, there is no facility for wheelchair users, mobility scooter users or persons with reduced mobility to cross between Platform 1 and 2 due to a steep footbridge. Customers who have travelled from the Valleys and wish to access the University or the Civic Centre are advised to travel to Queen Street station, change onto a North-bound service and alight at Cathays on the return service, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) take cash, and major debit and credit cards. The machine on the Cardiff-bound platform is only available during staffing hours. The machine on the Pontypridd-bound platform is available all the time, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Nearby hotels include Travelodge.
Basingstoke has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Basingstoke.
Wi-Fi is available at Basingstoke. ATMs are available at Basingstoke.
Ticket office support is available at Basingstoke.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Basingstoke: Parking, WC.
Available at Basingstoke: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Basingstoke: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category B2 station. This station has step-free access to all platforms via lifts from the main entrance. The rear entrance has level access to Platforms 4 and 5 (and to other platforms via lifts) but is only open Monday-Friday 0600 until 1000 and from 1500 until 2345 (closed at weekends) - outside these times a stepped subway must be used. The alternative step-free route from the rear to the main entrance via the street is approximately 380m and includes missing dropped kerbs and sections of route without a pavement. Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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