The cheapest and fastest trains from Darlington to Cardiff
Cheapest price
£124
Average price
£172
Fastest journey
4 h 53 m
Average duration
4 h 56 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
356 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Darlington to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Darlington to Cardiff will cost around £172 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £124.
Of the 2 trains that leave Darlington for Cardiff every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 356 km distance in an average of 4 h 56 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 53 m .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 59 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 Darlington to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Darlington to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £27. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 5h 3m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £27, and a train costs an average of £64.
Distance: 356 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach |
|---|---|
£157 Average Price | £42 Average Price Cheapest |
5h 33m Average total duration Fastest 5h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 43m Average total duration 9h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg 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
Darlington to Cardiff train times
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 08:06 Darlington | 4h53 | 12:59 Cardiff | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 09:10 Darlington | 4h59 | 14:09 Cardiff | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Darlington to Cardiff by train or coach
05 Nov
06 Nov
07 Nov
08 Nov
09 Nov
10 Nov
11 Nov
Journey information
Overview: Train from Darlington to Cardiff
Distance 356 km |
Average train duration 5h 3m |
Cheapest ticket price £64 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 4h 53m |
First train 03:40 |
Last train 19:11 |
Train companies: CrossCountry, Transport for Wales, Cross Country from Darlington to Cardiff trainsCrossCountry, Transport for Wales, Cross Country trains will get you between Darlington and Cardiff from £27. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
CrossCountry
Transport for Wales
Cross Country
FAQs: Darlington to Cardiff train

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Darlington and Cardiff
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:00 - 19:00 Saturday 07:00 - 19:00 Sunday 08:00 - 18:00
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station
- Accessible public telephones: text phones are available and staff are on hand to assist as required due to no low level phones
- Accessible taxis: Generally available but advance booking recommended
- 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 the Main Concourse; these toilets can be accessed from all platforms. The National key toilets are adjacent to Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a RADAR key. A RADAR key is available from the Customer Reception on Platform 1 upon request.
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Waiting rooms location: This station has heated waiting rooms available. Seating is available at an accessible height in the waiting room and on platforms
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: stations front
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Replacement coach services depart from the station entrance
- 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
- 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)
Most popular train connections from Darlington
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