The cheapest and fastest trains from Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
Cheapest price
£69
Average price
£129
Fastest journey
5 h 52 m
Average duration
6 h 8 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
498 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) to Cardiff Central (CDF) is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) to Cardiff Central (CDF) will cost around £129 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £69.
Of the 5 trains that leave Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) for Cardiff Central (CDF) 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 498 km distance in an average of 6 h 8 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 52 m .
The slowest trains will take 7 h 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 coach, train and flight for Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) to Cardiff Central (CDF) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £29. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 25m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £29, and a train costs an average of £75.
Distance: 498 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Coach |
|---|---|---|
£182 Average Price | £131 Average Price | £44 Average Price Cheapest |
6h 55m Average total duration 6h 25m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 25m Average total duration Fastest 1h 25m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 13h 14m Average total duration 12h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) to Cardiff Central (CDF) train times
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) to Cardiff Central (CDF) trains for today, Monday 1 December. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 05:52 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h53 | 11:45 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 06:04 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 7h21 | 13:25 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 07:07 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 7h18 | 14:25 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 13:52 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 6h02 | 19:54 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 15:52 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 6h12 | 22:04 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 changesdirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) to Cardiff Central (CDF) by coach, train or flight
Compare coach, train and flight 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.
02 Dec
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08 Dec
Journey information
Overview: Train from Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
Trains from Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) to Cardiff Central (CDF) run on average 6 times per day, taking around 6h 25m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £75 but you can travel from only £29 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 04:48, the last at 16:07. The fastest train covers the 498 km distance in 5h 52m.
Distance 498 km |
Average train duration 6h 25m |
Cheapest ticket price £75 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 5h 52m |
First train 04:48 |
Last train 16:07 |
Train companies: Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Caledonian Sleeper, first_transpennine_express, Cross Country from Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) to Cardiff Central (CDF) trainsAvanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Caledonian Sleeper, first_transpennine_express, Cross Country trains will get you between Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) and Cardiff Central (CDF) from £29. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Avanti West Coast
CrossCountry
Caledonian Sleeper
first_transpennine_express
Cross Country
FAQs: Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) to Cardiff Central (CDF) train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) to Cardiff Central (CDF) 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 Central (CDF), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) and Cardiff Central (CDF)
- Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59
- Sun: 07:00 - 23:59
- Free public Wi-Fi available.
- You can leave luggage at Excessive Baggage Company on Platform 2.
- Type of shops available: Wide range of shops Passport Photo Booth
- Car Park: New Street: Long Stay
- Bagel Factory
- Burger King
- Caffè Nero
- Costa Coffee
- JD Wetherspoon
- The Pasty Shop
- The Beer House
- M&S
- Pret a Manger
- Taxi: Nearest Taxi Ranks are on Market St and Waverley Bridge outside the station.
- Accessible taxis: Taxi ranks are located on Waverley Bridge and also Market Street. Market Street can be accessed step free via available lifts.
- Entrances are step free. Station is equipped with an elevator. Staffed with guide communicators for the deaf. Tactile warning strips are on the platform edges for the blind.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: At entrance to Public Toilets
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Baby changing facilities location: Female toilets,Male toilets,
- Old Waverley Hotel
- Jurys Inn Edinburgh
- The Scotsman Hotel
- Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59
- Sun: 07:00 - 23:59
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Cycle storage can be found in the station: by the lift at Platform 2 (37 spaces) Platform 3 (68 Spaces) and adjacent to Platform 19 (86 Spaces). Additional cycle spaces are available in New Street car park (32 spaces).
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information booths are located on the concourse.
- Bus lines: 22, 30, 33, X22, X25, X37
- Train lines: Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, CrossCountry, LNER, ScotRail, Transpennine Express
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up/drop off on Waterloo Place, pick up across from Apex Hotel and drop off outside the Apex Hotel.
- Metro: No metro available.
- 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 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)
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