4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from London Stansted Airport to Cardiff
Cheapest price
£51
Average price
£73
Fastest journey
3 h 20 m
Average duration
3 h 38 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
242 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from London Stansted Airport to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London Stansted Airport to Cardiff will cost around £73 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £51.
Of the 5 trains that leave London Stansted Airport 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 242 km distance in an average of 3 h 38 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 20 m .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 1 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 London Stansted Airport to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from London Stansted Airport to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £23. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 56m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £23, and a train costs an average of £34.
Distance: 242 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach |
|---|---|
£58 Average Price | £32 Average Price Cheapest |
3h 26m Average total duration Fastest 2h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 58m Average total duration 5h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
London Stansted Airport to Cardiff train times
The table below shows live departures for London Stansted Airport to Cardiff trains for today, Monday 5 January. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05:45 London Stansted Airport | 4h55 | 10:40 Cardiff | 0 changesdirect | |
| 07:30 London Stansted Airport | 3h40 | 11:10 Cardiff | 0 changesdirect | |
| 08:15 London Stansted Airport | 3h21 | 11:36 Cardiff | 0 changesdirect | |
| 09:30 London Stansted Airport | 3h37 | 13:07 Cardiff | 0 changesdirect | |
| 12:00 London Stansted Airport | 4h26 | 16:26 Cardiff | 0 changesdirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets London Stansted Airport 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.
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Journey information
Overview: Train from London Stansted Airport to Cardiff
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from London Stansted Airport to Cardiff run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 56m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £34 but you can travel from only £23 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 07:00, the last at 17:15. The fastest train covers the 242 km distance in 3h 19m.
Distance 242 km |
Average train duration 2h 56m |
Cheapest ticket price £34 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 3h 19m |
First train 07:00 |
Last train 17:15 |
Train companies: Great Western Rail, Stansted Express from London Stansted Airport to Cardiff trainsGreat Western Rail, Stansted Express trains will get you between London Stansted Airport and Cardiff from £23. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Great Western Rail
Stansted Express
FAQs: London Stansted Airport to Cardiff train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London Stansted Airport 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 London Stansted Airport and Cardiff
Wifi
Shopping
Parking
Dining
ATM
Taxis
Accessibility
WC
Hotel
Lounge
Lost and Found Office
Ticket Office
Bike Parking
Bike Rental
Car 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)
ParkingDiningTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental
Information 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.
ParkingDiningAccessibilityHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike 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
More options for your journey from London Stansted Airport to Cardiff
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Cardiff and London Stansted Airport
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