- Must visit
V&A Dundee
Striking design museum on Dundee’s waterfront with changing exhibitions, Scottish design displays and memorable river views.
Cheapest price on 04 Sept
£152
Average ticket price on 04 Sept
£233
Fastest journey on 04 Sept
8 h 11 m
Average journey duration on 04 Sept
8 h 36 m
Trains on 04 Sept
2
Distance
554 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff to Dundee is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Dundee will cost around £233 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £152.
On Fri 04 Sept, we found 2 trains from Cardiff to Dundee, including 2 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 554 km distance in an average of 8 h 36 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 8 h 11 m .
The slowest trains will take 9 h 1 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.




Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Dundee among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £58 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 8h 48m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £58, while a train costs an average of £158.
Distance: 554 km
| Train | Most popular Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£158 Average Price | £58 Average Price Cheapest | £146 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 48m Average total duration Fastest 8h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 47m Average total duration 13h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 54m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Dundee:
A coach is £101 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Dundee costing on average £158.
Other travel options to Dundee take longer:
Coach takes on average 13h 17m.
Tickets start at around £158 compared to roughly £146 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-12.11. The journey takes 8h 18m versus 7h 54m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Dundee trains for tomorrow, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:21 Cardiff | 9h01 | 13:22 Dundee | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 11:45 Cardiff | 8h11 | 19:56 Dundee | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and train 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 Dundee run on average 5 times per day, taking around 8h 18m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £96 but you can travel from only £48 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 04:15, the last at 17:25. The fastest train covers the 554 km distance in 7h 46m.
Distance 554 km |
Average train duration 8h 18m |
Cheapest ticket price £96 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 7h 46m |
First train 4:15 |
Last train 17:25 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Dundee — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Dundee trip today.
Striking design museum on Dundee’s waterfront with changing exhibitions, Scottish design displays and memorable river views.
Museum and gallery covering Dundee’s art, history and natural heritage in a grand Victorian building near the city centre.
Historic Antarctic exploration ship with interactive displays, offering insight into polar voyages and maritime life aboard.
Revitalised waterfront district with architecture, walking routes and river views, connecting major attractions and public spaces.
Extinct volcanic hill with a summit war memorial and sweeping views over Dundee, the Tay and Fife on clear days.
Sandy beach and promenade area popular for coastal walks, sea views and access to nearby castle, shops and rail station.
A rich fruit loaf first made in Dundee, packed with sultanas and candied peel. It is a classic local bake tied closely to the city’s food heritage.
A thick Scottish soup of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions. Popular on the east coast, it reflects Dundee’s long links to North Sea fishing.
A soft morning bread roll, often filled with bacon, sausage or egg. It is a familiar everyday Scottish breakfast item found in Dundee bakeries and cafés.
Stylish modern restaurant and bar known for steaks, seafood and polished comfort food in a lively city-centre setting.
Well-known waterfront seafood spot serving fish, shellfish and Scottish classics in a smart but relaxed setting near the river.
Established city-centre restaurant specialising in Italian dishes, pizza and pasta in a casual, dependable setting.
Moderate for the UK: hotels and meals are usually cheaper than Edinburgh, while local buses and everyday cafés remain fairly affordable for visitors.
Service is sometimes included; if not, 10-12.5% in restaurants is typical for good service. Round up small taxi fares. Café tipping is optional.
Official public transport app
Dundee Station -> City Square, Dundee
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Dundee 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 Dundee, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cardiff to Dundee trains use the Cardiff Central to Dundee station pair. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Dundee 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.
Dundee has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Dundee.
Wi-Fi is available at Dundee.
Ticket office support is available at Dundee. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dundee: Parking, WC.
Available at Dundee: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dundee: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to all platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the Ticket Office, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, 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: No.
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