.png){kind=small}
4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff to Dunstable
Cheapest price on 15 Sept
£162
Average ticket price on 15 Sept
£162
Fastest journey on 15 Sept
2 h 51 m
Average journey duration on 15 Sept
3 h 10 m
Trains on 15 Sept
2
Distance
189 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff to Dunstable is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Dunstable will cost around £162 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £162.
To travel from Cardiff to Dunstable you need to make at least 2 changes.
.png)
5:073h28Cardiff8:35Leagrave£1621One-way2 changes- 5:542h51Cardiff8:45Leagrave£1621One-way2 changes
- 5:542h51Cardiff8:45Leagrave£1621One-way2 changes
- 5:073h28Cardiff8:35Leagrave£1621One-way2 changes
Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Cardiff to Dunstable
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Dunstable among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £56 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 47m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £56, while a train costs an average of £162.
Distance: 189 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£162 Average Price | £56 Average Price Cheapest | £38 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 47m Average total duration Fastest 3h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 51m Average total duration 5h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 6m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Dunstable:
A coach is £106 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Dunstable costing on average £162.
Other travel options to Dunstable take longer:
Coach takes on average 5h 21m.
Tickets start at around £162 compared to roughly £38 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-123.99. The journey takes 3h 17m versus 3h 6m 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.
Live departures
Cardiff to Dunstable train times
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Dunstable trains for today, Monday 14 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:18 Cardiff | 2h53 | 18:11 Leagrave | 2 changes | |
| 15:54 Cardiff | 2h47 | 18:41 Leagrave | 2 changes | |
| 16:21 Cardiff | 2h54 | 19:15 Leagrave | 2 changes | |
| 16:50 Cardiff | 2h58 | 19:48 Leagrave | 2 changes | |
| 17:18 Cardiff | 3h13 | 20:31 Leagrave | 2 changes | |
| 17:50 Cardiff | 3h11 | 21:01 Leagrave | 2 changes | |
| 18:18 Cardiff | 3h13 | 21:31 Leagrave | 2 changes | |
| 19:18 Cardiff | 2h57 | 22:15 Leagrave | 2 changes | |
| 20:18 Cardiff | 3h15 | 23:33 Leagrave | 2 changes | |
| 21:20 Cardiff | 3h17 | 0:37 Leagrave | 2 changes | |
| 22:17 Cardiff | 9h14 | 7:31 Leagrave | 3 changes | |
| Tuesday 15 September | |||||
| 5:07 Cardiff | 3h28 | 8:35 Leagrave | 2 changes | |
| 5:54 Cardiff | 2h51 | 8:45 Leagrave | 2 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Dunstable by coach or train
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.
15 Sept
16 Sept
17 Sept
18 Sept
19 Sept
20 Sept
21 Sept
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cardiff to Dunstable
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Cardiff to Dunstable run on average 36 times per day, taking around 3h 17m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £162 but you can travel from only £55 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 08:00, the last at 13:50. The fastest train covers the 189 km distance in 2h 47m.
Distance 189 km |
Average train duration 3h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price £162 |
Trains per day 36 |
Fastest train 2h 47m |
First train 8:00 |
Last train 13:50 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 35 days |
Train companies: Great Western Railway (GWR) from Cardiff to Dunstable trainsGreat Western Railway (GWR) trains will get you between Cardiff and Dunstable from £55. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Great Western Railway (GWR)
FAQs: Cardiff to Dunstable train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Dunstable 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 Dunstable, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Dunstable
Most Cardiff to Dunstable trains use the Cardiff Central to Leagrave station pair. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Dunstable train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Getting to Cardiff Central from Cardiff city centre
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.
More options for your journey from Cardiff to Dunstable
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Dunstable and Cardiff
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.
