4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
Cheapest price
£43
Average price
£56
Fastest journey
2 h 25 m
Average duration
2 h 34 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
212 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from London Waterloo (WAT) 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 London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF) will cost around £56 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £43.
Of the 3 trains that leave London Waterloo (WAT) for Cardiff Central (CDF) every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 212 km distance in an average of 2 h 34 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 25 m .
The slowest trains will take 2 h 40 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 coach, train and ferry for London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £7. For those with little time consider booking a ferry which can get you there in 39m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £7, and a train costs an average of £40.
Distance: 212 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach | Ferry |
|---|---|---|
£63 Average Price | £10 Average Price Cheapest | £20 Average Price |
2h 51m Average total duration 2h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 25m Average total duration 3h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 39m Average total duration Fastest 39m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF) train times
The table below shows live departures for London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF) trains for tomorrow, Tuesday 3 March. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:02 London Waterloo (WAT) | 2h40 | 10:42 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 changesdirect | |
| 08:42 London Waterloo (WAT) | 2h25 | 11:07 Cardiff Central (CDF) | 0 changesdirect | |
| 10:40 London Waterloo (WAT) | 2h36 | 13:16 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 London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF) by coach, train or ferry
Compare coach, train and ferry 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.
03 Mar
04 Mar
05 Mar
06 Mar
07 Mar
08 Mar
09 Mar
Why should you book London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF) trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Great Western Rail?
- 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 Rail with all available travel options, which are bus, train and ferry to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF).
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and ferry to find the ideal travel option from London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF).
Journey information
Overview: Train from London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF) run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 21m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £40 but you can travel from only £7 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 08:02, the last at 16:02. The fastest train covers the 212 km distance in 2h 23m.
Distance 212 km |
Average train duration 2h 21m |
Cheapest ticket price £40 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 2h 23m |
First train 08:02 |
Last train 16:02 |
Train companies: Great Western Rail from London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF) trainsGreat Western Rail trains will get you between London Waterloo (WAT) and Cardiff Central (CDF) from £7. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Great Western Rail
FAQs: London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF) train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London Waterloo (WAT) 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 London Waterloo (WAT) and Cardiff Central (CDF)
Wifi
Shopping
Parking
Dining
ATM
Accessibility
WC
Hotel
Lost and Found Office
Ticket Office
Bike Parking
Bike Rental
Car Rental
Information Desk
- Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 24 Hours a Day Tickets bought in advance online or from South Western Railway telesales can be collected at Ticket Office or at Self-Serve Ticket Machines.
- Type of shops available: A wide range of shops including convenience store, supermarket, pharmacy, newsagent, bookseller, clothing, gifts, travel accessories and passport photobooth.
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: There is step free access from the main concourse to all platforms, shops and facilities. Step free exits are exit 1 (Station approach), exit 2 (with a lift to Waterloo Road and lift access to the London Underground Jubilee line), and exit 3 for taxis and onward travel towards the South Bank.
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available from the taxi rank on Cab Road / Station Approach
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Ticket machines are located at various locations on the main concourse and are accessible to wheelchair users.
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: The entrance to the public toilets is on the main concourse opposite platform 18, and these facilities have an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities. There is a another accessible toilet outside exit 3 operated by a RADAR key.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The entrance to the public toilets is on the main concourse opposite platform 18, and these facilities have an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities. There is a another accessible toilet outside exit 3 operated by a RADAR key.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: Cycle storage is located outside exit 3 on Station Approach / Cab Road.
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Onward travel information: Waterloo is well connected to London's public transport network. Waterloo Underground station serves the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City Lines. Plan a journey - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk) Buses depart from several points around the station. All Transport for London Buses are accessible with step free access and have a dedicated mobility space. Buses from Waterloo (tfl.gov.uk) The station has a dedicated taxi rank for London Black Taxis on the roadway outside exit 3. Santander Hire Bicycles are available from the docking stations outside. Santander Cycles - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk) Waterloo is within easy walking distance of the South Bank and a number of visitor attractions. Walking - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk).
- Metro: Waterloo Underground station is served by the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City Lines. Step free access is available to and from the Jubilee Line. For more information on London Transport accessibility: Plan an accessible journey - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk).
WifiShoppingParkingDiningATM
TaxisAccessibilityWCHotel
LoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar 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)
Most popular train connections from London Waterloo (WAT)
More options for your journey from London Waterloo (WAT) to Cardiff Central (CDF)
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Most popular trains to and from Cardiff Central (CDF) and London Waterloo (WAT)
Most popular train connections to Cardiff Central (CDF)
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