Cardiff to Birmingham train with CrossCountry

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The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff to Birmingham

Showing times and prices for 20 Apr

Cheapest price

£35

Average price

£52

Fastest journey

1 h 58 m

Average duration

1 h 59 m

Trains per day

Distance

142 km

Cheap tickets

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 £35.

Fast trains

Of the 5 trains that leave Cardiff for Birmingham every day 5 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 59 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 58 m .

The slowest trains will take 2 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.

17:452h00

Cardiff

19:45Birmingham

£351One-way

0 changes

20:452h00

Cardiff

22:45Birmingham

£351One-way

0 changes

13:452h00

Cardiff

15:45Birmingham

£411One-way

0 changes

18:201h58

Cardiff

20:18Birmingham

£641One-way

0 changes

12:201h58

Cardiff

14:18Birmingham

£831One-way

0 changes

Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Birmingham by train or coach

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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Cardiff to Birmingham?

The best time to book your train from Cardiff to Birmingham is 3 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Cardiff to Birmingham route.

Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Cardiff to Birmingham per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Cardiff to Birmingham.

Trains

from £39

Coaches

from £8

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Cardiff to Birmingham

United Kingdom

Trains from Cardiff to Birmingham run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 5m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £16 but you can travel from only £9 by bus.

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

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Coach from £9

Distance

141 km

Average train duration

2h 5m

Cheapest ticket price

£16

Trains per day

Direct trains

Train providers

Fastest train

1h 57m

First train

05:14

Last train

21:45

Price information

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Coach from £9

Train companies: CrossCountry, West Midlands Trains and Transport for Wales trains Cardiff to Birmingham

Travel between Cardiff and Birmingham from £20 with Omio’s train partners CrossCountry, West Midlands Trains and Transport for Wales! You can find the best timetables and tickets when comparing and booking the most convenient route for you.

CrossCountry is a fast speed train company in the United Kingdom and for your next train from Cardiff to Birmingham you can choose between Standard Class and First Class tickets on Omio.

Train information from Cardiff to Birmingham with CrossCountry:

Average Duration: 1 h 56 min
Cheapest Price: £20
CrossCountry frequency: 6 a day

West Midlands Trains is a train operator based in the United Kingdom, providing services across the West Midlands region. It operates a variety of train types, including the Class 350 Desiro, Class 323 Electrostar, Class 170 Turbostar, and Class 172 Turbostar. These trains offer a range of onboard facilities, such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and air conditioning. Passengers can purchase a range of tickets, including single, return, and season tickets. The most popular routes operated by West Midlands Trains include Birmingham to London Euston, Birmingham to Wolverhampton, and Birmingham to Coventry.

West Midlands Trains from Cardiff to Birmingham train information:

Average Duration: 2 h 48 min
Cheapest Price: £79

Transport for Wales is a public transport provider in Wales, UK. It operates a comprehensive network of trains, buses and ferries across the country. The trains are modern and comfortable, with a range of different types including InterCity Express Trains, Regional Trains, and Metro Trains. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. There are a variety of ticket types available, including single and return tickets, season tickets, and group tickets. The most popular routes include Cardiff to Swansea, Cardiff to Newport, and Cardiff to Manchester.

Train information from Cardiff to Birmingham with Transport for Wales:

Average Duration: 2 h 12 min
Cheapest Price: £82

Great Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London Paddington to the West of England, South Wales and the Cotswolds. It also operates services from London Paddington to Oxford, Reading and Bristol. It offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, air conditioning and catering services. The most popular routes for Great Western Railway are London Paddington to Bristol, Reading and Oxford.

Trains from Cardiff to 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.

FAQs: Cardiff to Birmingham train

FAQs: Travel by train from Cardiff to Birmingham easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Cardiff to Birmingham.

Cheap train tickets from Cardiff to Birmingham can start from as little as £15 when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Cardiff to Birmingham is £45; 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 train from Cardiff to Birmingham is 1 h 57 min to travel the 87 mile long trip, with around there are 7 trains per day. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays.

The first train from Cardiff to Birmingham leaves at 01: 40. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.

The last train from Cardiff to Birmingham leaves at 22: 12.

There are 7 trains a day from Cardiff to Birmingham which require at least one change with CrossCountry, West Midlands Trains, Transport for Wales or first_great_western. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer trains.

When taking a train from Cardiff to Birmingham, you can count on CrossCountry, West Midlands Trains, Transport for Wales or first_great_western for the best way to get you to Birmingham. You can also check all possible train providers who offer a service to Birmingham from Cardiff and compare the amenities they offer before buying a train ticket.

No, there are no night trains, the latest train for this route is 22: 12.

Passengers board the train most frequently from Cardiff Central, which is located around 1.1 miles (1.8 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Birmingham New Street, located 1.7 miles (2.7 km) away from the city centre.

A day trip to Birmingham from Cardiff is worth doing with a journey time of 1 h 57 min each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.

The cheapest month for a train from Cardiff to Birmingham is September.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel from Cardiff to Birmingham including taking a train or coach.

Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Birmingham

Cardiff

Birmingham

The major train station for departures in Cardiff is Cardiff Central. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Cardiff Central for your trip from Cardiff to Birmingham.

Cardiff Central Wifi

Amenities at train station

Wifi

Shopping

Parking

Dining

ATM

Taxis

Accessibility

Hotel

Lounge

Lost and Found Office

Ticket Office

Address

Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP, United Kingdom

Phone Number

Ticket Office Hours

Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
Sun: 07:30 - 21:30

Wifi

Free Wi-Fi in the station.

Shopping

Type of shops available: News agent and convenience store

Parking

Car Park: Brewery Car park

Dining

Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen
Pret a Manger
Tesco Express

Taxis

Taxi: Taxi rank is on the right as you exit the main station entrance

Accessibility

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

Hotel

Clayton Hotel Cardiff
Cardiff Marriott Hotel
Travelodge Cardiff Central

Lounge

Waiting rooms location: On platforms 1/2, 3/4, 6/7 and 8.

Ticket Office

Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
Sun: 07:30 - 21:30

Public transport options for Cardiff Central

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)