The cheapest and fastest trains from London Stansted Airport to Cardiff
Cheapest price
£51
Average price
£78
Fastest journey
3 h 23 m
Average duration
3 h 24 m
Trains per day
18
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 £78 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £51.
To travel from London Stansted Airport to Cardiff you need to make at least 2 changes.
W34629+
P66375+
C3824312:433h23Stansted Airport (SSD)16:06Cardiff Central (CDF)£511One-way2 changes
G14940+
P02922+
C3855611:433h25Stansted Airport (SSD)15:08Cardiff Central (CDF)£511One-way2 changes
W34622+
P66289+
C3847810:433h25Stansted Airport (SSD)14:08Cardiff Central (CDF)£551One-way2 changes
W35417+
P66267+
C3843610:113h25Stansted Airport (SSD)13:36Cardiff Central (CDF)£551One-way2 changes
G14939+
P02916+
C383979:433h33Stansted Airport (SSD)13:16Cardiff Central (CDF)£551One-way2 changes
W34629+
P66375+
C3824312:433h23Stansted Airport (SSD)16:06Cardiff Central (CDF)£511One-way2 changes
W35419+
P66423+
C3840914:433h23Stansted Airport (SSD)18:06Cardiff Central (CDF)£861One-way2 changes
W34622+
P66289+
C3847810:433h25Stansted Airport (SSD)14:08Cardiff Central (CDF)£551One-way2 changes
W35417+
P66267+
C3843610:113h25Stansted Airport (SSD)13:36Cardiff Central (CDF)£551One-way2 changes
W35418+
P66363+
C3820312:113h25Stansted Airport (SSD)15:36Cardiff Central (CDF)£631One-way2 changes
Travel Information
Compare coach and train 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 £20. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 0m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £20, and a train costs an average of £31.
Distance: 242 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach |
|---|---|
£55 Average Price | £29 Average Price Cheapest |
3h 30m Average total duration Fastest 3h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 56m Average total duration 5h 26m 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 tomorrow, Thursday 21 May. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G14938+ C37299+ P66175 | 8:09 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h31 | 11:40 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
W34617+ P66187+ Tube from London Liverpool Street to London Paddington | 8:25 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h45 | 12:10 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
P66222+ W34618+ C38356 | 9:11 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h26 | 12:37 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
G14939+ P02916+ C38397 | 9:43 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h33 | 13:16 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
W35417+ C38436+ P66267 | 10:11 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h25 | 13:36 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
P66289+ C38478+ W34622 | On time 10:43 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h25 | 14:08 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
W34624+ P66314+ C38520 | 11:11 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h26 | 14:37 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
G14940+ P02922+ C38556 | 11:43 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h25 | 15:08 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
W35418+ P66363+ C38203 | 12:11 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h25 | 15:36 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
W34629+ P66375+ C38243 | 12:43 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h23 | 16:06 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
W34630+ C38286+ P66387 | 13:11 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h27 | 16:38 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
W34632+ C38325+ P66399 | 13:43 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h26 | 17:09 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
W34634+ C38367+ P02928 | 14:11 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h26 | 17:37 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
W35419+ C38409+ P66423 | On time 14:43 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h23 | 18:06 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
W34637+ C38448+ P66435 | 15:11 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h26 | 18:37 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
G14941+ P66447+ C38490 | 15:43 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h27 | 19:10 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
G14942+ P02930+ C38537 | 16:11 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h27 | 19:38 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
G14943+ C38583+ P66471 | On time 16:43 Stansted Airport (SSD) | 3h31 | 20:14 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 2 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets London Stansted Airport to Cardiff 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.
21 May
22 May
23 May
24 May
25 May
26 May
27 May
28 May
29 May
30 May
31 May
01 Jun
02 Jun
03 Jun
04 Jun
05 Jun
06 Jun
07 Jun
08 Jun
09 Jun
10 Jun
Why should you book London Stansted Airport to Cardiff trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Great Western Railway?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Great Western Railway, but also compare tickets for the likes of Stansted Express to find the best option for your trip from London Stansted Airport to Cardiff.
- 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 London Stansted Airport to Cardiff.
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 London Stansted Airport to Cardiff.
Journey information
Overview: Train from London Stansted Airport to Cardiff
Trains from London Stansted Airport to Cardiff run on average 7 times per day, taking around 3h 0m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £31 but you can travel from only £20 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 07:20, the last at 20:57. The fastest train covers the 242 km distance in 3h 29m.
Distance 242 km |
Average train duration 3h 0m |
Cheapest ticket price £31 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 3h 29m |
First train 7:20 |
Last train 20:57 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Train companies: Great Western Railway, Stansted Express from London Stansted Airport to Cardiff trainsGreat Western Railway, Stansted Express trains will get you between London Stansted Airport and Cardiff from £20. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Great Western Railway
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
- 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)
- 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.
- 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
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