- Recommended
Clacton Museum
Local history museum covering Clacton’s growth as a resort, wartime stories and seaside life. A useful starting point for understanding the town.
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 30 Aug
Cheapest price on 30 Aug
£63
Average ticket price on 30 Aug
£64
Fastest journey on 30 Aug
4 h 57 m
Average journey duration on 30 Aug
5 h 18 m
Trains on 30 Aug
2
Distance
301 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea will cost around £64 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £63.
Fast trains
On Sun 30 Aug, we found 2 trains from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea, including 2 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 301 km distance in an average of 5 h 18 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 57 m .
The slowest trains will take 5 h 39 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.
9:355h39Cardiff15:14Clacton-on-Sea£631One-way0 changes
12:204h57Cardiff17:17Clacton-on-Sea£641One-way0 changes
- 12:204h57Cardiff17:17Clacton-on-Sea£641One-way0 changes
- 9:355h39Cardiff15:14Clacton-on-Sea£631One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £53 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 1m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £53, while a train costs an average of £60.
Distance: 301 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£60 Average Price | £53 Average Price Cheapest |
4h 1m Average total duration Fastest 3h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 50m Average total duration 8h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea train times
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea trains for tomorrow, Sunday 30 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:35 Cardiff | 5h39 | 15:14 Clacton-on-Sea | 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 Clacton-on-Sea 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.
Sun
30 Aug
30 Aug
Mon
31 Aug
31 Aug
Tue
01 Sept
01 Sept
Wed
02 Sept
02 Sept
Thu
03 Sept
03 Sept
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04 Sept
04 Sept
Sat
05 Sept
05 Sept
Why should you book Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea trains with Omio?
Great Western Railway as well as Great Western Railway (GWR) offer trains services from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea.
Why book with Omio vs Great Western Railway?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Great Western Railway, but also compare tickets for the likes of Great Western Railway (GWR) to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea.
- 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 Great Western Railway with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 31m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £60 but you can travel from only £53 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:07, the last at 20:18. The fastest train covers the 301 km distance in 4h 27m.
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 £53
Distance 301 km |
Average train duration 3h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price £60 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 4h 27m |
First train 5:07 |
Last train 20:18 |
Cheapest Month Sept |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
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 £53
Train companies: Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea trainsGreat Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) trains will get you between Cardiff and Clacton-on-Sea from £53. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Great Western Railway
About
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.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Great Western Railway Duration
4h 27m
Cheapest Great Western Railway Price
£60
Luggage included
Two pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, dedicated luggage areas at end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches. First Class at-seat service on some routes
Seat reservation
Optional seat reservations available for a fee. Free in First Class
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Great Western Railway (GWR) Duration
3h 48m
Cheapest Great Western Railway (GWR) Price
£160
Great Western Railway (GWR) frequency
16 a day
Complete guide to Clacton-on-Sea
Things to do in Clacton-on-Sea
Discover the best of Clacton-on-Sea — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Clacton-on-Sea trip today.
- Recommended
Jaywick Martello Tower
Contemporary art gallery in a converted Martello tower at Jaywick. It combines exhibitions with the unusual experience of a historic coastal fort.
- Recommended
Naze Tower
Historic wartime site by the Naze with exhibitions on coastal defence, radar and military history. Worth the short trip from Clacton for history fans.
- Must visit
Clacton Beach
Long sandy beach backed by the promenade, popular for traditional seaside walks, paddling and broad coastal views across the North Sea.
- Recommended
Clacton Seafront Gardens
Landscaped seafront gardens beside the beach and promenade, ideal for relaxed walks, floral displays and easy access to the pier and town centre.
- Recommended
Holland-on-Sea Seafront
Quieter stretch of seafront east of the centre, known for beach huts, sea views and a more local atmosphere for walking and relaxing.
- Gluten-free
Essex Oysters
Fresh North Sea oysters from nearby Essex estuaries, prized for their clean, briny flavour and long local shellfish tradition.
- Gluten-free
Jellied Eels
Jellied eels are chopped eels set in savoury stock. They are an old East Anglian and Thames Estuary classic still recognised across Essex.
- Gluten-free
Smoked Eel
Hot smoked eel has a rich, oily flavour and reflects the long fishing and eel-curing heritage of the Essex coast and estuaries.
The Fish House
Casual harbourside-style seafood spot focused on fish, shellfish and simple British coastal dishes in an informal setting.
Armstrong's at the Pavilion
Popular seafront fish and chip shop known for freshly cooked classics and an easy-going traditional seaside atmosphere.
The Roaring Donkey
Well-known pub and dining venue offering British favourites, Sunday roasts and drinks in a comfortable, traditional setting.
British pound sterling (£)
Moderate for a UK seaside town. Dining is fairly priced, but summer stays and family attractions can raise costs; local buses are reasonable.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-12 for fast food or a simple café meal.
- Mid-range
- £15-25 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £35+ per person for upscale dining.
- Coffee
- £2.80-4 for a cappuccino or similar coffee.
Tipping culture
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis, and tip cafés only for table service or exceptional service.
First Bus
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
- £2–£3
- Day pass
- £5.80
To the city centre
Clacton-on-Sea -> Clacton Town Centre
- Distance
- 0.8 km
- Travel time
- 10 min
- First Bus adult single fares in Essex are distance-based, starting at £2 and capped at £3 on longer journeys.
- Clacton-on-Sea station is about a 10-minute walk from the town centre and seafront. PlusBus is available for combined rail and bus travel.
FAQs: Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea 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 Clacton-on-Sea, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
The cost of a train ticket from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £60, while the average price tends to be around £60.
The train journey from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea covers a distance of 301 km and takes approximately 4h 27m. Trains run 5 per day.
The train distance from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea is 301 km.
The first train from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea leaves at 5:07.
The last train from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea departs at 20:18.
Trains from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea run approximately 5 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea.
To get from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea.
The train station in Cardiff that goes to Clacton-on-Sea is Cardiff Central (CDF), and it arrives at Clacton-on-Sea station (CLT).
The cheapest way to get from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea is by coach, costing approximately £53.
Booking trains from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea offers a mix of urban and rural scenery. Travellers can enjoy views of the Welsh countryside as the train leaves Cardiff, moving through the green valleys and rolling hills. As the journey progresses towards Clacton-on-Sea, the landscape transitions into the flat, agricultural fields of the English Midlands and East Anglia, before reaching the seaside charm of Clacton-on-Sea.
A day trip from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea is not feasible as the journey takes 4h 27m. However, there are 5 train trips available per day. The distance is 301 km.
To fully experience Clacton-on-Sea, including its beaches, pier, and local attractions, a stay of 2 to 3 days is recommended.
Yes, you can take the train from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea.
popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Clacton-on-Sea
Most Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea trains use the Cardiff Central to Clacton-on-Sea station pair. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Clacton-on-Sea train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Departure train stations in Cardiff
Arrival train stations in Clacton-on-Sea
Cardiff CentralCentral Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP, United Kingdom+44 3457114141
City-centre transport
Getting to Cardiff Central from Cardiff city centre
Bus24, 25, 27, 86, 62, 30, 35, 21, 136, 7, 23, 63, 64 · 3m · £2 · every ~47 min
C1 · 5m · every ~8 min
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.
Which Clacton-on-Sea station do trains from Cardiff arrive at?
Trains from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea arrive at Clacton-on-Sea. Clacton-on-Sea is 1 km from Clacton-on-Sea city centre.
Clacton-on-SeaClacton-on-Sea station, Skelmersdale Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 6PU
City-centre transport
Getting to Clacton-on-Sea from Clacton-on-Sea city centre
Bus6, 6A, 98A, 2, 2A, 1B, 7, 1A, 1, 9A · 2m · £0.90 · every ~19 min
Clacton-on-Sea train station facilities and services
Clacton-on-Sea has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at Clacton-on-Sea. ATMs are available at Clacton-on-Sea.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Clacton-on-Sea. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 028 28 78, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Luggage and lost property
Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Clacton-on-Sea: Parking, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Clacton-on-Sea: Bike Parking.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Clacton-on-Sea: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible public telephones: Accessible (Card Only) telephone available on concourse, Accessible taxis: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Ticket machine located on station concourse, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
More options for your journey from Cardiff to Clacton-on-Sea
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Clacton-on-Sea and Cardiff
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