- Must visit
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Main local museum covering Highland history, archaeology, Jacobite stories and natural heritage. A strong introduction to Inverness and the region.
Cheapest price
£359
Average price
£359
Fastest journey
10 h 12 m
Average duration
10 h 53 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
670 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff to Inverness is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Inverness will cost around £359 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £359.
To travel from Cardiff to Inverness you need to make at least 2 changes.
G38965+
W33373+
G80229
W33375+
G38973+
L87291+
G01071
G39025+
W33378+
L87273+
Bus from Glasgow Central to Glasgow Queen Street
G39025+
W33378+
L87273+
Bus from Glasgow Central to Glasgow Queen Street
G38965+
W33373+
G80229
W33375+
G38973+
L87291+
G01071Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Inverness among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £54. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 10h 16m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £54, and a train costs an average of £80.
Distance: 670 km
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£170 Average Price | £81 Average Price Cheapest |
10h 46m Average total duration Fastest 10h 16m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 18h 0m Average total duration 17h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Inverness trains for tomorrow, Sunday 23 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G80229+ G38965+ W33373 | 9:39 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 10h31 | 20:10 Inverness station (INV) | 2 changes | |
L87273+ W33378+ Bus from Glasgow Central to Glasgow Queen Street+ G39025 | 11:14 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 10h12 | 21:26 Inverness station (INV) | 3 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Cardiff to Inverness run on average 4 times per day, taking around 10h 16m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £80 but you can travel from only £54 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 04:15, the last at 14:50. The fastest train covers the 670 km distance in 10h 12m.
Distance 670 km |
Average train duration 10h 16m |
Cheapest ticket price £80 |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 10h 12m |
First train 4:15 |
Last train 14:50 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Inverness — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Inverness trip today.
Main local museum covering Highland history, archaeology, Jacobite stories and natural heritage. A strong introduction to Inverness and the region.
Small military museum at Fort George with regimental collections, uniforms and medals. Best for visitors interested in Highland army history.
Community museum in a former church telling the story of Highland life through local artefacts, archives and changing displays near central Inverness.
Tree-lined riverside walk linking islands, bridges and paths on the River Ness. Popular for gentle walks, views and a peaceful break near the centre.
Attractive promenade along the River Ness with mature trees, historic buildings and access to the cathedral, theatre and city centre walks.
Canal-side walking area south-west of the city where boats pass through locks. It offers easy waterside views and a different side of Inverness.
Classic Highland porridge made with oats, water or milk, and salt. A staple breakfast in the Highlands, prized for warmth and simplicity.
Cured salmon from the nearby Black Isle, often lightly smoked. It showcases the region’s excellent fish and traditional smoking methods.
A rich savoury pudding of sheep offal, oats, suet and spice, traditionally served with neeps and tatties. Scotland’s most famous traditional dish.
Well-known traditional venue for haggis, pies and Scottish comfort food, with a lively, informal feel in the city centre.
Popular modern bistro serving Scottish seafood, steaks and classics in a relaxed central setting by the River Ness.
Stylish restaurant focused on local Highland produce, including venison, beef and seafood, with a smart but welcoming atmosphere.
Moderate for the UK: accommodation can rise in peak season, but dining and local buses are similar to other regional tourist cities.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis. Cafés do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Inverness Airport -> Inverness Bus Station, Inverness
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Inverness 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 Inverness, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cardiff to Inverness trains use the Cardiff Central to Inverness station pair. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Inverness 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.
Cardiff Queen Street has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Cardiff Queen Street.
Ticket office support is available at Cardiff Queen Street. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 03333 211202, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cardiff Queen Street: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Cardiff Queen Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff Queen Street: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machines are near the main entrance and take cash and major debit and credit cards, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Nearby hotels include Travelodge.
Inverness has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Inverness.
Wi-Fi is available at Inverness. ATMs are available at Inverness.
Ticket office support is available at Inverness. 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 Inverness: Parking, WC.
Available at Inverness: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Inverness: 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 automatic ticket gates Blue Badge parking bays: 3, 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: Yes.
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