1,000+ travel companies
1,000+ travel companies
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
4.942K ratings
Google Play
4.6136K reviews
Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Cardiff to Dorchester
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Dorchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £53. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 46m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £53, and a train costs an average of £61.
Distance: 100 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach |
|---|---|
£61 Average Price | £58 Average Price Cheapest |
4h 16m Average total duration Fastest 3h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 5m Average total duration 7h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Dorchester 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.
Mon
22 Dec
22 Dec
Tue
23 Dec
23 Dec
Wed
24 Dec
24 Dec
Thu
25 Dec
25 Dec
Fri
26 Dec
26 Dec
Sat
27 Dec
27 Dec
Sun
28 Dec
28 Dec
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cardiff to Dorchester
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Cardiff to Dorchester run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 46m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £61 but you can travel from only £53 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:07, the last at 20:27. The fastest train covers the 100 km distance in 3h 6m.
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 100 km |
Average train duration 3h 46m |
Cheapest ticket price £61 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 3h 6m |
First train 05:07 |
Last train 20:27 |
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 Rail from Cardiff to Dorchester trainsGreat Western Rail trains will get you between Cardiff and Dorchester from £53. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Great Western Rail
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 Duration
3h 6m
Cheapest Price
£61
Great Western Rail frequency
5 a day
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
FAQs: Cardiff to Dorchester train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Dorchester 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 Dorchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
To explore Dorchester's key attractions like the Dorset County Museum, Maiden Castle, and the Tutankhamun Exhibition, a stay of 2 to 3 days is recommended.
A day trip from Cardiff to Dorchester is not feasible as the travel time is 3h 6m. However, there are 5 trains per day for this journey.
Booking trains from Cardiff to Dorchester in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train distance from Cardiff to Dorchester is 100 km.
To get from Cardiff to Dorchester, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
The cost of a train ticket from Cardiff to Dorchester can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £61, while the average price tends to be around £61.
The train journey from Cardiff to Dorchester covers a distance of 100 km and takes approximately 3h 6m. Trains run 5 per day.
The cheapest way to get from Cardiff to Dorchester is by coach, costing approximately £53.
The train station in Cardiff that goes to Dorchester is Cardiff Central (CDF), and it arrives at Dorchester West (DCW).
The first train from Cardiff to Dorchester leaves at 5:07.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Cardiff to Dorchester.
The last train from Cardiff to Dorchester departs at 20:27.
Trains from Cardiff to Dorchester run approximately 5 times per day.
Yes, you can take the train from Cardiff to Dorchester.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Cardiff to Dorchester.
There is no night train service from Cardiff to Dorchester.
The train journey from Cardiff to Dorchester offers scenic views, particularly as it passes through the picturesque countryside of Somerset and the rolling hills of Dorset. Travellers can enjoy glimpses of charming villages and lush landscapes along the way.
popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Dorchester
Cardiff
Dorchester
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 Dorchester.
Amenities at train station
Wifi
Shopping
Parking
Dining
ATM
Taxis
Accessibility
WC
Hotel
Lounge
Lost and Found Office
Ticket Office
Bike Parking
Bike Rental
Car Rentalinformation
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.
WC
- 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
Bike Parking
- 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
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)
The major train station for arrivals in Dorchester is Dorchester West. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Dorchester West for your journey to Dorchester from Cardiff.
Amenities at train station
ParkingDiningAccessibilityHotelLost and Found OfficeBike Parkinginformation
Parking
- Car Park: No
Accessibility
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access note: Step-free category B2 station - “Some step-free access to all platforms.”- This station has a degree of step free access to the platforms. Access between platforms is via a stepped footbridge. 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 taxis: Accessible taxis are available
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
Bike Parking
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: Car park
- Storage CCTV: No
Public transport options for Dorchester West
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Front of the station
Amenities at train station
WifiParkingDiningTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike Parkinginformation
Ticket Office Hours
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:50 - 18:15 Saturday - Sunday Closed
Parking
- Car Park: Station Car Park
Accessibility
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Step-free category B2 Station. Some step-free access to all platforms - please check details - Ramp to Platform 1 at approx 1:14 gradient (to London) via Booking Hall, or level via car park (1 step via side gate next to Booking Hall when closed). Ramp at approx 1:20 to Platform 2 (to Weymouth) from separate entrance. Interchange via street over 1km so no reasonable step-free access between platforms.
- 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: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
WC
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 1. Separate Male toilet facilities. Female and Accessible toilet is combined. Accessible toilets are located in the booking hall on platform 1. The toilets are open: Monday to Friday – 05:50 to 18:15 Saturday – 06:45 to 17:00 Sunday – 08:30 to 16:00
- National key toilets: No
- Baby changing facilities: No
Lounge
- Waiting rooms location: In the booking hall. Area is heated and seating complies with Code of Practice.
Bike Parking
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: No
Public transport options for Dorchester South
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Station forecourt, off Weymouth Avenue
Most popular train connections from Cardiff
More options for your journey from Cardiff to Dorchester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Dorchester and Cardiff
Most popular train connections to Dorchester
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
