- Must visit
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Major museum and gallery with fine art, local history, decorative arts and changing exhibitions in the city centre.
Cheapest price
£27
Average price
£52
Fastest journey
1 h 56 m
Average duration
1 h 58 m
Trains per day
16
Distance
142 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff to Birmingham is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Birmingham will cost around £52 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £27.
Of the 16 trains that leave Cardiff for Birmingham every day 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 142 km distance in an average of 1 h 58 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 56 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 59 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.
G66713
G00892
G00845
G00937
G00899
G00853+
W35172
G66736+
C42290
G00870+
W35184
G66717+
W35164
G00864+
W35181Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Birmingham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £6. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 20m. 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 £6, and a train costs an average of £11.
Distance: 142 km
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£31 Average Price | £10 Average Price Cheapest |
2h 50m Average total duration Fastest 2h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 28m Average total duration 2h 58m 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 Birmingham trains for today, Friday 28 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G66987+ W35160 | Delayed 5:44 5:53Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h02 | 7:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 1 change | |
W45135+ G66716 | On time 6:10 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h09 | 8:19 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 1 change | |
G66716+ G15040 | Delayed 6:09 6:24Cardiff Central (CDF) | 1h55 | 8:19 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 1 change | |
G00844 | On time 6:40 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h05 | 8:45 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G01060+ W35166 | Delayed 6:42 6:51Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h04 | 8:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 1 change | |
Y61953+ G66721 | On time 7:10 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h10 | 9:20 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 1 change | |
G66721+ W35167 | Delayed 7:10 7:23Cardiff Central (CDF) | 1h57 | 9:20 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 1 change | |
G00938 | On time 7:45 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h00 | 9:45 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G01062+ W35169 | Delayed 7:42 7:49Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h05 | 9:54 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 1 change | |
G00854+ G15041 | Delayed 8:09 8:18Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h06 | 10:24 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 1 change | |
G66712 | On time 8:45 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h00 | 10:45 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 0 changesdirect | |
W35432+ G66730 | On time 9:19 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h00 | 11:19 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 1 change | |
G01067 | On time 9:45 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h04 | 11:49 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G00869_G01067+ G15043 | On time 9:49 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h06 | 11:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 1 change | |
G66735+ W35178 | Delayed 10:09 10:18Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h01 | 12:19 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 1 change | |
G00941 | On time 10:45 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h00 | 12:45 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G01069+ G15044 | Delayed 10:42 10:50Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h05 | 12:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 1 change | |
G00865+ G15045 | Delayed 11:09 11:18Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h01 | 13:19 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 1 change | |
G00900 | On time 11:45 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h00 | 13:45 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 0 changesdirect | |
G01073+ W35182 | Delayed 11:42 11:50Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2h05 | 13:55 Birmingham New Street (BHM) | 1 change | |
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 Birmingham run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 20m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £11 but you can travel from only £6 by coach.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 02:25, the last at 22:12. The fastest train covers the 142 km distance in 2h 0m.
Distance 142 km |
Average train duration 2h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price £11 |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 2h 0m |
First train 2:25 |
Last train 22:12 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Birmingham — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Birmingham trip today.
Major museum and gallery with fine art, local history, decorative arts and changing exhibitions in the city centre.
Science museum with interactive galleries on industry, transport and invention, making it a strong family-friendly visit.
Independent museum in a converted factory, exploring Birmingham's pen trade with demonstrations and hands-on exhibits.
Creative district with street art, independent shops and converted industrial buildings, popular for urban walks and photography.
Historic quarter known for jewellery workshops, heritage trails, museums and distinctive Georgian and Victorian streetscapes.
Waterside district of canals, bars and cultural venues, ideal for strolling, boat trips and seeing Birmingham's industrial past.
A Birmingham-born curry with spiced meat in rich tomato gravy. It reflects the city’s famed Balti Triangle and its South Asian culinary heritage.
A slow-cooked stew of beef, vegetables and stock topped with sliced potatoes. A Black Country classic closely associated with the Birmingham area.
Pork offal sausage traditionally served with peas, mash and gravy. It is a long-standing working-class dish from the Black Country near Birmingham.
Elegant modern dining in Edgbaston with refined tasting menus and polished service in a calm, intimate setting.
Popular Jewish-style deli and restaurant famous for piled-high sandwiches, baked treats and relaxed daytime dining.
Lively Indian restaurant in the Balti Triangle, known for Balti dishes cooked in pressed-steel bowls and a bustling local atmosphere.
Moderate for UK city breaks: hotels and dining sit below London, while local transport and casual meals are fairly manageable for most tourists.
Service may be included in restaurants; otherwise tip around 10%. Taxis are often rounded up or tipped 10%. Tipping in cafés is optional, usually just small change.
Official public transport app
Birmingham New Street -> Bullring, Birmingham
Trains from Cardiff to Birmingham are provided by CrossCountry and London Midlands. There are several services throughout the day and evening, with some direct services that take around two hours. Services with one change last slightly longer and generally change at Bristol Parkway. Trains start early in the morning, leaving before 6:00 a.m., and continue leaving every 15-30 minutes until the evening. The last train leaves before 10:00 p.m. Trains leave from Cardiff Central Train Station on Saunders Road, and arrive at Birmingham's New Street Station. Both stations are conveniently centrally located and a few minutes' walk from the main shopping areas of both cities.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Birmingham 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 Birmingham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cardiff to Birmingham trains use the Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Street station pair, with some services arriving at Birmingham International. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Birmingham 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.
Cardiff Queen Street has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Cardiff Queen Street.
Ticket office support is available at Cardiff Queen Street. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 03333 211202, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cardiff Queen Street: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Cardiff Queen Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff Queen Street: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machines are near the main entrance and take cash and major debit and credit cards, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Nearby hotels include Travelodge.
Birmingham New Street has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: All Bar One, Leon, Caffè Nero, Five Guys, Krispy Kreme, The Pasty Shop, Upper Crust, Wasabi, Starbucks, Hotel Chocolat
Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available from Sky Wi-Fi The Cloud. ATMs are aTM machines are located on the paid concourse.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:15 - 23:00, Sun: 07:30 - 23:00. Information desks are in the middle of the station.
Luggage storage is you can leave bags with Excess Baggage Co inside the entrance off Hill Street. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Birmingham New Street: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Birmingham New Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Birmingham New Street: Step-free access in the whole station and ramps available for train access. All platforms have elevators and escalators.
Nearby hotels include Holiday Inn Birmingham City Center, Premier Inn Birmingham City Center (New St Station), Radisson Blue Hotel, Birmingham.
Birmingham International is 12 km from Birmingham city centre. Public transport options include:
Birmingham International has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Birmingham International.
Wi-Fi is available at Birmingham International. ATMs are available at Birmingham International.
Ticket office support is available at Birmingham International. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Birmingham International: Parking, WC.
Available at Birmingham International: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Birmingham International: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This station has step-free access to all platforms / the platform, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, 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.
University is 4 km from Birmingham city centre. Public transport options include:
University has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at University.
Ticket office support is available at University. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 0248998, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at University: Parking.
Available at University: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at University: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are not available, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: A Ticket Vending Machine is located in the Booking Hall, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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