Cardiff to Manchester train with Transport for Wales

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The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff to Manchester

Showing times and prices for 20 Apr

Cheapest price

£68

Average price

£83

Fastest journey

3 h 26 m

Average duration

3 h 35 m

Trains per day

Distance

231 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Cardiff to Manchester will cost around £83 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £68.

Fast trains

Of the 6 trains that leave Cardiff for Manchester every day 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct trains cover the 231 km distance in an average of 3 h 35 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 26 m .

The slowest trains will take 3 h 42 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.

W19105

11:403h28

Cardiff Central (CDF)

15:08Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)

£681One-way

0 changes

W18587

10:363h36

Cardiff Central (CDF)

14:12Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)

£681One-way

0 changes

W18200

08:303h42

Cardiff Central (CDF)

12:12Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)

£741One-way

0 changes

W18591

09:453h26

Cardiff Central (CDF)

13:11Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)

£741One-way

0 changes

P11780 · P11685

10:483h41

Cardiff Central (CDF)

14:29Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)

£1071One-way

1 change

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Cardiff to Manchester

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £13. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 29m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg.

Compare train with

Train	Most popular Coach
£57 Average Price	£28 Average Price Cheapest
3h 59m average duration Fastest 3h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	9h 4m average duration 8h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time*
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest	0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions
Direct Options	Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Cardiff to Manchester train times

Showing trains for today, Saturday 19 April

Last updated at 02:42

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Changes
G68797+P11673	Delayed 07:23 Cardiff Central (CDF)	3h35	10:59 10:59Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	1 change
W18589	On time 07:54 Cardiff Central (CDF)	3h19	11:13 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	0 changesdirect
G68799+P11679	Delayed 08:19 Cardiff Central (CDF)	3h36	11:59 11:59Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	1 change
W18189	On time 08:53 Cardiff Central (CDF)	3h20	12:13 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	0 changesdirect
G68800+P11684	On time 09:20 Cardiff Central (CDF)	3h39	12:59 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	1 change
W19089	On time 09:53 Cardiff Central (CDF)	3h19	13:12 Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)	0 changesdirect
This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Manchester by train or coach

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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Cardiff to Manchester?

The best time to book your train from Cardiff to Manchester is 7 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Cardiff to Manchester route.

Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Cardiff to Manchester per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Cardiff to Manchester.

Trains

from £56

Coaches

from £20

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Cardiff to Manchester

United Kingdom

Trains from Cardiff to Manchester run on average 7 times per day, taking around 3h 29m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £32 but you can travel from only £13 by bus.

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 £13

Distance

231 km

Average train duration

3h 29m

Cheapest ticket price

£32

Trains per day

Direct trains

Train providers

Fastest train

3h 19m

First train

04:33

Last train

21:24

Price information

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Coach from £13

Train providers: Transport for Wales and CrossCountry trains Cardiff to Manchester

You can travel by train from Cardiff to Manchester with Transport for Wales and CrossCountry for as low as £36. When you search for timetables and tickets, Omio will show you the best route.

Transport for Wales is a public transport provider in Wales, UK. It operates a comprehensive network of trains, buses and ferries across the country. The trains are modern and comfortable, with a range of different types including InterCity Express Trains, Regional Trains, and Metro Trains. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. There are a variety of ticket types available, including single and return tickets, season tickets, and group tickets. The most popular routes include Cardiff to Swansea, Cardiff to Newport, and Cardiff to Manchester.

Train information from Cardiff to Manchester with Transport for Wales:

Average Duration: 3 h 19 min
Cheapest Price: £36

Cross Country trains are a UK-based train operator that provides services across the country including trains to Manchester from Cardiff. They offer a range of services, from express services to local services, and have a variety of ticket types to suit different needs. Their express services, such as the CrossCountry Voyager and CrossCountry XC Trains, offer a fast and comfortable journey, with onboard facilities such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a selection of snacks and drinks. Their local services, such as the CrossCountry Regional and CrossCountry Regional Express, provide a more leisurely journey, with stops at smaller stations along the way. They also offer a range of ticket types, such as Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak tickets, to suit different budgets and travel needs. The most popular routes for Cross Country trains include London to Birmingham, Manchester to Edinburgh, and Bristol to Reading.

Cardiff to Manchester train information with CrossCountry:

Average Duration: 3 h 43 min
Cheapest Price: £49
CrossCountry frequency: 7 a day

Trains from Cardiff to Manchester

Trains from Cardiff to Manchester are provided by Arriva and CrossCountry. Arriva services run directly, with a journey time of around three to three and a half hours. CrossCountry services have one change, at Bristol Parkway, and last around three and a half hours. Trains from Cardiff to Manchester start very early in the morning, with services leaving just after 4:30 a.m. and continuing every 30 minutes to 1 hour throughout the day. The last service leaves before 10:00 p.m. Trains depart from Cardiff Central Train Station on Saunders Road, close to all major amenities. They arrive at Manchester Picadilly Station on Fairfield Street, close to the popular shopping area of the Northern Quarter.

FAQs: Cardiff to Manchester train

FAQs: Travel by train from Cardiff to Manchester easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Cardiff to Manchester.

Cheap train tickets from Cardiff to Manchester can start from as little as £29 when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Cardiff to Manchester is £56; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.

On average the Cardiff to Manchester train travel time is 3 h 22 min for the 143 mile long trip, but the duration can vary if you travel on weekends and holidays.

The first train from Cardiff to Manchester leaves at 03: 04. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.

The last train from Cardiff to Manchester leaves at 23: 36.

Yes, there are 3 direct trains a day from Cardiff to Manchester with Transport for Wales. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct trains.

For the best Cardiff to Manchester train to buy, you can travel safely and comfortably with Transport for Wales or CrossCountry. However, it's always good to check all possible train providers with services to Manchester from Cardiff to compare what amenities they may offer.

No, there are no night trains, the latest train for this route is 23: 36.

Passengers board the train most frequently from Cardiff Central, which is located around 1.1 miles (1.8 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Manchester Piccadilly, located 0.5 miles (767 m) away from the city centre.

A trip to Manchester from Cardiff is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 3 h 22 min each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.

The cheapest month for a train from Cardiff to Manchester is June.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel to Manchester from Cardiff including taking a coach or train.

Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Manchester

Cardiff

Manchester

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 Manchester.

Cardiff Central Wifi

Amenities at train station

Wifi

Shopping

Parking

Dining

ATM

Taxis

Accessibility

Hotel

Lounge

Lost and Found Office

Ticket Office

Address

Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP, United Kingdom

Phone Number

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.

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

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)