- Must visit
National Museum Cardiff
Wales's national art museum with paintings, sculpture and natural history displays. A strong choice for a broad cultural visit in central Cardiff.
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Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Cardiff to Wales
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Wales among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £17 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 5h 29m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £17, while a train costs an average of £59.
Distance: 244 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach |
|---|---|
£59 Average Price | £17 Average Price Cheapest |
5h 29m Average total duration Fastest 4h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 50m Average total duration 6h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
The cheapest way to travel from Cardiff to Wales is a coach with an average price of £17.
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Wales:
A coach is £42 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Wales costing on average £59.
The fastest way to travel from Cardiff to Wales is by train with an average journey time of 4h 59m.
Other travel options to Wales take longer:
Coach takes on average 6h 20m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cardiff and Wales including taking a coach and train.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Cardiff to Wales
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Cardiff to Wales run on average 18 times per day, taking around 4h 59m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £56 but you can travel from only £12 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 04:15, the last at 18:45. The fastest train covers the 244 km distance in 4h 59m.
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 £12
Distance 244 km |
Average train duration 4h 59m |
Cheapest ticket price £56 |
Trains per day 18 |
Fastest train 4h 59m |
First train 4:15 |
Last train 18:45 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
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 £12
Complete guide to Wales
Things to do in Wales
Discover the best of Wales — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Wales trip today.
- Must visit
St Fagans National Museum of History
Open-air museum of Welsh historic buildings, crafts and daily life in St Fagans. Ideal for understanding Welsh culture through reconstructed sites.
- Recommended
The Pierhead
Waterfront museum covering Cardiff's docklands history, migration and industry. A useful stop for understanding the city's multicultural past.
- Must visit
Cardiff Bay
Lively waterfront area with shops, public spaces, walking routes and bay views. A popular place for a relaxed urban stroll in Cardiff.
- Recommended
Llandudno Promenade
Historic promenade beneath Llandudno's limestone headland. Come for sea views, the pier, easy walks and classic resort architecture.
- Recommended
Cardiff Arcades
Victorian shopping arcades with independent shops, elegant details and covered walkways. A charming central Cardiff area to explore on foot.
- Gluten-free
Cawl
Cawl is a traditional Welsh broth or stew of lamb or beef with leeks, potatoes and root vegetables, long valued as a hearty farmhouse meal.
- Vegetarian
Welsh Rarebit
Welsh rarebit is hot savoury cheese sauce, often with ale and mustard, grilled on toast. It is a classic pub and supper dish across Wales.
- Vegetarian
Glamorgan Sausage
Glamorgan sausage is a traditional meat-free Welsh sausage made with Caerphilly cheese, leeks and breadcrumbs, especially associated with south Wales.
Heaneys
Stylish Cardiff dining room serving modern Welsh tasting menus with seasonal local produce in a refined but relaxed setting.
Sosban
Established Menai Bridge restaurant focused on local Welsh ingredients and seafood, with polished cooking and waterside charm nearby.
Johns Fish Market
Well-known Swansea market stall and café celebrated for fresh Welsh seafood, especially cockles and laverbread, in a casual setting.
Pound sterling (£)
Moderate for the UK. Accommodation and dining are often cheaper than London, but tourist areas and peak seasons raise hotel, food and rail costs.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-15 for fast food, cafés or pub specials.
- Mid-range
- £18-35 per person for a casual restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £60+ per person for upscale dining.
- Coffee
- £2.80-4.20 for a regular coffee.
Tipping culture
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Taxis: round up or add about 10%. Cafés and pubs: tipping is optional, though small change is appreciated.
Newport Bus
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
- £2.75
- Day pass
- £4.60
To the city centre
Newport Bus Station -> Newport city centre
- Distance
- 0.5 km
- Travel time
- 6 min
- Adult single and day tickets can be bought contactlessly on Newport Bus services. Multi-day tickets are sold in the Newport Bus app.
- If you need other operators in South East Wales, Newport Bus states that a Network Rider is required rather than its own operator-only tickets.
FAQs: Cardiff to Wales train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Wales 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 Wales, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
The cost of a train ticket from Cardiff to Wales can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £56, while the average price tends to be around £59.
The train journey from Cardiff to Wales covers a distance of 244 km and takes approximately 4h 59m. Trains run 18 per day.
The train distance from Cardiff to Wales is 244 km.
The first train from Cardiff to Wales leaves at 4:15.
The last train from Cardiff to Wales departs at 18:45.
Trains from Cardiff to Wales run approximately 18 times per day.
To get from Cardiff to Wales, you can choose from several travel options including coach and train.
There is no night train service from Cardiff to Wales.
The train station in Cardiff that goes to Wales is Cardiff Central (CDF), and it arrives at Kiveton Bridge (KIV).
The cheapest way to get from Cardiff to Wales is by coach, costing approximately £12.
Booking trains from Cardiff to Wales 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 various destinations in Wales, such as Snowdonia or the Pembrokeshire Coast, offers picturesque views of lush landscapes, rolling hills, and charming villages, making it a scenic experience.
A day trip from Cardiff to Wales is not feasible as the journey takes 4h 59m and covers a distance of 244 km. Trains run 18 times per day.
In Wales, you can explore the medieval Conwy Castle, enjoy Cardiff's vibrant arts scene at the Wales Millennium Centre, and visit the charming town of Tenby with its picturesque harbour. Experience cultural heritage at St Fagans National Museum of History or take a scenic train ride on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. Discover the stunning landscapes of Snowdonia National Park, the historic Cardiff Castle, and the rugged coastline of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Don't miss Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the rolling hills of Brecon Beacons National Park.
To experience the highlights of Wales, a stay of around 5 to 7 days is recommended. This allows for visits to key attractions such as Snowdonia National Park, Cardiff Castle, and the Pembrokeshire Coast.
Currently, there is no direct train service available from Cardiff to Wales.
popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Wales
Most Cardiff to Wales trains use the Cardiff Central to Kiveton Bridge station pair. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Wales train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Departure train stations in Cardiff
Arrival train stations in Wales
Cardiff CentralCentral Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP, United Kingdom+44 3457114141
City-centre transport
Getting to Cardiff Central from Cardiff city centre
Bus24, 25, 27, 86, 62, 30, 35, 21, 136, 7, 23, 63, 64 · 3m · £2 · every ~47 min
C1 · 5m · every ~8 min
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 Wales
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Wales and Cardiff
Most popular train connections to Wales
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