Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) train with Great Western Railway

Fri 18 Sept
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Great Western Railway
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
CrossCountry
2,000+ travel companies
Great Western Railway
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
CrossCountry
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF)

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£173

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£182

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

3 h 54 m

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

3 h 56 m

Trains on 18 Sept

6

Distance

304 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Ipswich station (IPS) 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 Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) will cost around £182 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £173.

Fast trains

To travel from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) you need to make at least 2 changes.

  • Great Western RailwayW34624+Greater AngliaP01252+TubeTube from London Liverpool Street to London Paddington
    10:413h56
    Ipswich station (IPS)
    14:37Cardiff Central (CDF)
    £1731One-way
    2 changes
  • Great Western RailwayW34618+Greater AngliaC04685+Elizabeth lineC38356
    8:433h54
    Ipswich station (IPS)
    12:37Cardiff Central (CDF)
    £1731One-way
    2 changes
  • Great Western RailwayW35417+TubeTube from London Liverpool Street to London Paddington+Greater AngliaP01244
    9:413h55
    Ipswich station (IPS)
    13:36Cardiff Central (CDF)
    £1731One-way
    2 changes
  • Great Western RailwayW34622+Greater AngliaP01248+TubeTube from London Liverpool Street to London Paddington
    10:103h58
    Ipswich station (IPS)
    14:08Cardiff Central (CDF)
    £1731One-way
    2 changes
  • Great Western RailwayG14939+Greater AngliaP01239+TubeTube from London Liverpool Street to London Paddington
    9:104h06
    Ipswich station (IPS)
    13:16Cardiff Central (CDF)
    £1731One-way
    2 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF)

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £48 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 58m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £48, while a train costs an average of £139.

Distance: 304 km

Compare train with

Train
Most popular
Coach
Driving

£139

Average Price

£48

Average Price

Cheapest

£62

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 58m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 28m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

7h 10m

Average total duration

6h 40m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 19m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) is a coach with an average price of £48.

This is compared to other travel options from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF):

A coach is £91 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) costing on average £139.

The fastest way to travel from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) is by train with an average journey time of 3h 28m.

Other travel options to Cardiff Central (CDF) take longer:

Coach takes on average 6h 40m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Ipswich station (IPS) and Cardiff Central (CDF) including taking a coach and train.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 51m sooner (3h 28m by train vs 4h 19m by car). Tickets start at around £139 compared to roughly £62 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) train times

The table below shows live departures for Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Great Western Railway4:15 Ipswich station (IPS)
3h53
8:08 Cardiff Central (CDF)0 changesdirect
Great Western Railway8:41 Ipswich station (IPS)
3h54
12:35 Cardiff Central (CDF)0 changesdirect
Great Western Railway10:41 Ipswich station (IPS)
4h01
14:42 Cardiff Central (CDF)0 changesdirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) by coach or train

Compare coach and train 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.

Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept

Why should you book Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) trains with Omio?

Great Western Railway operates all trains services from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF).
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF).

Why book with Omio vs Great Western Railway?

  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Great Western Railway with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF).

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF).

Journey information

Overview: Train from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF)

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 28m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £48 but you can travel from only £32 by coach.

The earliest train runs at 08:06, the last at 09:41. The fastest train covers the 304 km distance in 3h 4m.

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 £32
Distance
304 km
Average train duration
3h 28m
Cheapest ticket price
£48
Trains per day
6
Fastest train
3h 4m
First train
8:06
Last train
9:41
Cheapest Month
Dec
Cheapest Day
Thu
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Thu
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 £32

Train companies: Great Western Railway from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) trainsGreat Western Railway trains will get you between Ipswich station (IPS) and Cardiff Central (CDF) from £32. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Great Western Railway

About
Great Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London Paddington to the West of England, South Wales and the Cotswolds. It also operates services from London Paddington to Oxford, Reading and Bristol. It offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, air conditioning and catering services. The most popular routes for Great Western Railway are London Paddington to Bristol, Reading and Oxford.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Great Western Railway Duration
3h 4m
Cheapest Great Western Railway Price
£48
Great Western Railway frequency
6 a day
Luggage included
Two pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, dedicated luggage areas at end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches. First Class at-seat service on some routes
Seat reservation
Optional seat reservations available for a fee. Free in First Class
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

FAQs: Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Ipswich station (IPS) 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.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £48, while the average price tends to be around £139.
The train journey from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) covers a distance of 304 km and takes approximately 3h 4m. Trains run 6 per day.
The train distance from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) is 304 km.
The first train from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) leaves at 8:06.
The last train from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) departs at 9:41.
Trains from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) run approximately 6 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF).
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF).
To get from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF), you can choose from several travel options including coach and train.
There is no night train service from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF).
The cheapest way to get from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) is by coach, costing approximately £32.
Booking trains from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Ipswich to Cardiff Central offers a mix of urban and rural scenery, including views of the English countryside and passing through historic towns. While not renowned for being particularly scenic, it provides glimpses of the varied landscapes of East Anglia, the Midlands, and South Wales.
A day trip from Ipswich to Cardiff Central is not feasible due to the travel time of 3h 4m. However, there are 5 trains per day covering the 304 km journey.
Yes, you can take the train from Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF).

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Ipswich station (IPS) and Cardiff Central (CDF)

Most Ipswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) trains use the Ipswich to Cardiff Central station pair. Use this guide to compare Ipswich station (IPS) and Cardiff Central (CDF) train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Ipswich
Arrival train stations in Cardiff
IpswichIpswich station, Burrell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 8AL+44 3450507080WifiShoppingParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Ipswich from Ipswich city centre

Ipswich is 1 km from Ipswich city centre. Public transport options include:

Bus13, 12, 23, 3, 119, 3E · 7m · £2 · every ~27 min
12, 3, 13, 15, 119, 3E, 23 · 9m · £2 · every ~35 min
111 · 21m

Ipswich train station facilities and services

Ipswich has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Car Rental.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Ipswich.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Ipswich. ATMs are available at Ipswich.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Ipswich.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Ipswich: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Ipswich: Bike Parking, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Ipswich: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster, 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.

Most popular trains to and from Cardiff Central (CDF) and Ipswich station (IPS)

HomeTrainsTrains in United KingdomIpswich station (IPS) to Cardiff Central (CDF) train

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