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Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Cardiff to Folkestone
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Folkestone among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £20. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 32m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £20, and a train costs an average of £62.
Distance: 307 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach |
|---|---|
£64 Average Price | £21 Average Price Cheapest |
4h 2m Average total duration Fastest 3h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 33m Average total duration 7h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Folkestone 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.
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Why should you book Cardiff to Folkestone trains with Omio?
Great Western Rail as well as first_great_western offer trains services from Cardiff to Folkestone.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cardiff to Folkestone.
Why book with Omio vs Great Western Rail?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Great Western Rail, but also compare tickets for the likes of first_great_western to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff to Folkestone.
- 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 Rail with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff to Folkestone.
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 Folkestone.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cardiff to Folkestone
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Cardiff to Folkestone run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 32m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £62 but you can travel from only £20 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 04:38, the last at 21:20. The fastest train covers the 307 km distance in 3h 52m.
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 £20
Distance 307 km |
Average train duration 3h 32m |
Cheapest ticket price £62 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 3h 52m |
First train 04:38 |
Last train 21:20 |
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 £20
Train companies: Great Western Rail, first_great_western from Cardiff to Folkestone trainsGreat Western Rail, first_great_western trains will get you between Cardiff and Folkestone from £20. 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 52m
Cheapest Price
£62
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
first_great_western
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
3h 9m
Cheapest Price
£188
first_great_western frequency
16 a day
FAQs: Cardiff to Folkestone train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Folkestone 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 Folkestone, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
The cost of a train ticket from Cardiff to Folkestone can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £62, while the average price tends to be around £64.
The train journey from Cardiff to Folkestone covers a distance of 307 km and takes approximately 3h 52m. Trains run 5 per day.
The train distance from Cardiff to Folkestone is 307 km.
The first train from Cardiff to Folkestone leaves at 4:38.
The last train from Cardiff to Folkestone departs at 21:20.
Trains from Cardiff to Folkestone run approximately 5 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Cardiff to Folkestone.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Cardiff to Folkestone.
To get from Cardiff to Folkestone, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Cardiff to Folkestone.
The train station in Cardiff that goes to Folkestone is Cardiff Central (CDF), and it arrives at Folkestone West (FKW).
The cheapest way to get from Cardiff to Folkestone is by coach, costing approximately £20.
Booking trains from Cardiff to Folkestone 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 Folkestone offers a mix of urban and rural scenery, with views of the rolling countryside, picturesque towns, and occasional glimpses of the coast, providing a pleasant travel experience.
A day trip from Cardiff to Folkestone is not feasible as the journey duration is 3h 52m. However, there are 5 trains per day. The distance is 307 km.
A two to three-day visit to Folkestone is ideal to explore its coastal attractions, enjoy the Creative Quarter, and take leisurely walks along the Harbour Arm.
Yes, you can take the train from Cardiff to Folkestone.
popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Folkestone
Cardiff
Folkestone
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 Folkestone.
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 Folkestone is Folkestone West. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Folkestone West for your journey to Folkestone from Cardiff.
Amenities at train station
ParkingDiningAccessibilityWCLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike Parking
Information Deskinformation
Ticket Office Hours
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:25 - 13:05 Saturday 07:35 - 14:15 Sunday Closed This station is not continuously staffed please see staffing times for details of when staff are available.
Distance to city center
2 kmParking
- Car Park: Station Car Park
Accessibility
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Category B2. This station has a degree of step-free access to the platform, which may be in both directions or in one direction only - please check details - Step Free access to Platform 1 via main entrance off Shorncliffe Road. Step free access to platform 2 via side entrance off Station Road. Step access between platforms via station subway. Step free Interchange between platforms via steep roads is in excess of 500 metres.
- Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not wheelchair accessible
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available to book
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: by entrance to platform 1
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
WC
- Toilets Location: Platform 1- Available during staffing hours
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: Platform 1 - Available during staffing hours
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Baby changing facilities location: Only available when staff present
Lounge
- Waiting rooms location: Heated waiting Room on platform 1, only available when staff are present
Bike Parking
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage CCTV: No
Information Desk
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point
- Helpline Contact: 0345 322 7021 or Text relay 18001 0345 322 7021 Freephone 0800 783 4524 or Text Relay 18001 0800 783 4524
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
Public transport options for Folkestone West
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Station Road, platform 2 side of the station.
Amenities at train station
ParkingDiningAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalInformation Deskinformation
Ticket Office Hours
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:00 - 19:00 Saturday 06:00 - 19:00 Sunday 08:10 - 17:40 This station is not continuously staffed please see staffing times for details of when staff are available.
Parking
- Car Park: Station Car Park
Accessibility
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category A. This station has step free access to all platforms - Step free access via lift or steep ramps from main entrance.
- Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not wheelchair accessible
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available to book
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: In the booking hall
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Wheelchairs available open hours: Monday - Friday 24 Hours a Day Saturday 24 Hours a Day Sunday 24 Hours a Day
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
WC
- Toilets Location: Platform 1 - Available during staffing hours
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: Platform 1 - Available during staffing hours
- Baby changing facilities: No
Lounge
- Waiting rooms location: Heated waiting Room on the platform only available when staff are present
Bike Parking
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: front of station, by car park
- Storage CCTV: No
Information Desk
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point
- Helpline Contact: 0345 322 7021 or Text relay 18001 0345 322 7021 Freephone 0800 783 4524 or Text Relay 18001 0800 783 4524
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
Public transport options for Folkestone Central
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Bus stop outside of the station (exit station, walk down the slope and turn right. Bus stop is just beyond the bridge)
Most popular train connections from Cardiff
More options for your journey from Cardiff to Folkestone
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Folkestone and Cardiff
Most popular train connections to Folkestone
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