4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from Chester to Cardiff
Cheapest price
£45
Average price
£52
Fastest journey
2 h 56 m
Average duration
3 h 16 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
191 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chester to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Chester to Cardiff will cost around £52 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £45.
Of the 5 trains that leave Chester for Cardiff every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 191 km distance in an average of 3 h 16 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 56 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 34 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.
Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Chester to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chester to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £12. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 4m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £12, and a train costs an average of £30.
Distance: 191 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£53 Average Price | £22 Average Price Cheapest |
3h 34m Average total duration Fastest 3h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 14m Average total duration 5h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions |
Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Chester to Cardiff train times
The table below shows live departures for Chester to Cardiff trains for tomorrow, Sunday 30 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:42 Chester | 3h34 | 12:16 Cardiff | 0 changesdirect | |
| 08:57 Chester | 3h51 | 12:48 Cardiff | 0 changesdirect | |
| 09:20 Chester | 2h56 | 12:16 Cardiff | 0 changesdirect | |
| 10:32 Chester | 3h16 | 13:48 Cardiff | 0 changesdirect | |
| 11:29 Chester | 2h58 | 14:27 Cardiff | 0 changesdirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Chester to Cardiff 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.
30 Nov
01 Dec
02 Dec
03 Dec
04 Dec
05 Dec
06 Dec
Journey information
Overview: Train from Chester to Cardiff
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Chester to Cardiff run on average 8 times per day, taking around 3h 4m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £30 but you can travel from only £12 by coach.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:39, the last at 22:25. The fastest train covers the 191 km distance in 2h 42m.
Distance 191 km |
Average train duration 3h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price £30 |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 2h 42m |
First train 03:39 |
Last train 22:25 |
Train companies: Transport for Wales, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast from Chester to Cardiff trainsTransport for Wales, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast trains will get you between Chester and Cardiff from £12. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Transport for Wales
CrossCountry
Avanti West Coast
Flights from Cardiff to Paris: Journey Details
There are just two direct flights from Cardiff to Paris every day, with two more departing from Bristol Airport, on routes operated by Flybe, Easyjet and Condor. All are afternoon departures and have a journey time of around 5.5 hours.
Taking a Flight from Cardiff
Flights from Cardiff to Paris depart from either Cardiff or Bristol Airport. Cardiff Airport is 19 km West of the city centre, with shuttle buses linking it to Rhoose Cardiff International Airport Railway Station. From here Arriva Trains operates frequent services into Cardiff Central Station. Cardiff Airport Express and First Bus also provide regular routes between the airport and city centre. Bristol Airport is around 70 km from Cardiff, with the two airports linked by regular National Express coaches. Car rental and taxis are available at both airports.
Flying into Paris
Paris is a historic city of beautiful architecture, wide boulevards and world-famous museums, such as the Louvre and Pompidou Centre. The Eiffel Tower and cathedrals of Sacre-Coeur and Notre Dame are highlights of any visit, while a walk along the banks of the River Seine, or a boat trip, give different perspectives of the city. In the evenings visitors can enjoy fine dining in high-quality restaurants, or cabarets at the Moulin Rouge. Flights from Cardiff to Paris land at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, located 25 km to the North East of the city. Frequent trains depart every hour for the capital, taking around 40 minutes. The airport and city are also linked by the Roissybuss service. Car rental desks and taxi ranks are available at all terminals. Paris has an extensive and efficient transport network of Metro, bus and night buses.
FAQs: Chester to Cardiff train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chester to Cardiff 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 Cardiff, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Chester and Cardiff
Shopping
Parking
Dining
ATM
Accessibility
WC
Hotel
Lost and Found Office
Ticket Office
Bike Parking
Car Rental
Information Desk
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:40 - 21:40 Saturday 05:40 - 21:40 Sunday 07:10 - 20:40
- Type of shops available: News agent
- Car Park: Chester West
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category A. Step free access is available to all platforms via lifts.
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided
- 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
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Main Concourse and on Platform 7a. The National key toilets are located on the Main Concourse and on Platform 7a; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: On the concourse
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from information point
- Helpline Contact: 03333 211202
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: At the bus stop outside the station front
ParkingDiningAccessibilityHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike Parking
Bike RentalInformation Desk- Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 07:30 - 18:30 Saturday 09:30 - 15:30 Sunday Closed
- Car Park: No
- 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
- Travelodge
- Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 03333 211202
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Arrival screens
- Onward travel information: The nearest bus stop is on Park Place
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: At the bus stops adjacent to the Cardiff University Students' Union on Park Place
ParkingDining
TaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalInformation Desk- Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 07:40 - 18:00 Sunday 10:00 - 15:30 Temporary opening hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Car Park: No
- 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
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 4. The National key toilets are located on the Main Concourse to the right of the Ticket Office; these toilets are operated by a radar key and are only available during staffing hours.
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Travelodge
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: to the right of the station front
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 03333 211202
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Onward travel information: Limited service from stop outside station Mondays to Fridays
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: For services towards Cardiff Central use the bus stop at the front of the station. For services towards Cathays use the bus stop in front of the shop opposite the station entrance. Please ask a member of station staff if you are unsure of which stop to use.
WifiShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotel
LoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar Rental- Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sun: 07:30 - 21:30
- Free Wi-Fi in the station.
- Type of shops available: News agent and convenience store
- Car Park: Brewery Car park
- Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen
- Pret a Manger
- Tesco Express
- Taxi: Taxi rank is on the right as you exit the main station entrance
- 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
- Clayton Hotel Cardiff
- Cardiff Marriott Hotel
- Travelodge Cardiff Central
- Waiting rooms location: On platforms 1/2, 3/4, 6/7 and 8.
- Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sun: 07:30 - 21:30
- 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
- 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)
ParkingDiningAccessibilityLost and Found OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Category B2. Step free access to Platforms 1 (to Rhymney) via the car park. There are two routes onto the platform, one with a steep gradient and one with a moderate gradient. Step free access to Platform 2 (to Cardiff) via a ramp with a steep gradient. Access between the platforms is via a roadbridge with a walkway but no pavement
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) do not accept cash. Payment is by major debit and credit cards only.
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Onward travel information: The nearest bus stop is on Station Road
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: On the road outside the station
ParkingDiningTaxisAccessibilityLost and Found OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category B2. Step free access to Platform 1 (to Cardiff) from Leckwith Road. Step free access to Platform 2 (to Radyr) Leckwith Road via a ramp with a steep gradient
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) do not accept cash. Payment is by major debit and credit cards only.
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: The bicycle stands can be found on Platform 1 (to Cardiff).
- Storage CCTV: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Wait at the station entrance on Leckwith Road close to traffic lights
Most popular train connections from Chester
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Most popular trains to and from Cardiff and Chester
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