- Must visit
Tate St Ives
Seafront gallery showing modern and contemporary art, with changing exhibitions and dramatic views over Porthmeor Beach.
Cheapest price
£51
Average price
£81
Fastest journey
5 h 59 m
Average duration
6 h 20 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
215 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff to St Ives is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to St Ives will cost around £81 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £51.
Of the 3 trains that leave Cardiff for St Ives every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 215 km distance in an average of 6 h 20 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 59 m .
The slowest trains will take 6 h 58 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 St Ives 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 5h 40m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £13, and a train costs an average of £44.
Distance: 215 km
| Train | Most popular Coach |
|---|---|
£82 Average Price | £25 Average Price Cheapest |
6h 10m Average total duration Fastest 5h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 2m Average total duration 7h 32m 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 St Ives trains for tomorrow, Thursday 27 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:00 Cardiff | 6h58 | 13:58 St Ives | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:27 Cardiff | 6h02 | 14:29 St Ives | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 10:30 Cardiff | 5h59 | 16:29 St Ives | 0 changesdirect | |
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 St Ives run on average 6 times per day, taking around 5h 40m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £44 but you can travel from only £13 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:48, the last at 22:12. The fastest train covers the 215 km distance in 5h 51m.
Distance 215 km |
Average train duration 5h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price £44 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 5h 51m |
First train 5:48 |
Last train 22:12 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 77 days |
Discover the best of St Ives — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect St Ives trip today.
Seafront gallery showing modern and contemporary art, with changing exhibitions and dramatic views over Porthmeor Beach.
Former artists’ studio and home of Barbara Hepworth, featuring sculptures displayed in the garden and preserved rooms.
Local museum covering fishing, mining, art and maritime life, with varied exhibits that explain St Ives past.
Compact harbour area with beaches, boats, galleries and winding lanes; ideal for soaking up the town’s atmosphere.
Sheltered beach and promenade beneath Tate St Ives, loved for surfing, sunsets and easy access to the coast path.
Headland path and grassy viewpoint above the beaches, popular for sea views, picnics and watching the sunset.
Cornish pasty is a baked pastry with beef, potato, swede and onion. It is Cornwall’s best-known portable meal and strongly tied to local mining history.
Stargazy pie is a traditional Cornish fish pie, usually with pilchards baked under pastry with the fish heads showing. It is a famous local winter speciality.
Cornish sardines, often called pilchards locally, are a signature catch of Cornwall. They are prized for their freshness and long fishing heritage.
Popular traditional bakery for Cornish pasties, pies and sweet treats. A dependable stop for classic local food in casual surroundings.
Harbourside seafood restaurant known for fresh local fish and shellfish. Relaxed modern setting with strong views over St Ives harbour.
Established seafood restaurant by the harbour, focused on local catch, oysters and crab. Smart but approachable atmosphere.
St Ives is pricier than many UK seaside towns, especially in summer. Hotels, seafood meals and parking add up, though buses and simple cafés can keep costs manageable.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up for taxis, and spare change is fine in cafés.
Official public transport app
St Ives railway station -> St Ives Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to St Ives 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 St Ives, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cardiff to St Ives trains use the Cardiff Central to St Ives station pair. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and St Ives 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.
St Ives has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at St Ives.
Wi-Fi is available at St Ives.
Ticket office support is available at St Ives.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at St Ives: Parking, Taxis.
Available at St Ives: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at St Ives: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step Free Category A Station - This station has step free acccess to the platform. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station, 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, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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