Portsmouth to Cardiff train with Great Western Railway

Thu 03 Sept
+ Add return
Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Portsmouth to Cardiff

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 03 Sept

Cheapest price on 03 Sept

£79

Average ticket price on 03 Sept

£149

Fastest journey on 03 Sept

3 h 40 m

Average journey duration on 03 Sept

3 h 46 m

Trains on 03 Sept

3

Distance

164 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Portsmouth to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Portsmouth to Cardiff will cost around £149 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £79.

Fast trains

To travel from Portsmouth to Cardiff you need to make at least one change.

  • Great Western RailwayG15002+South Western RailwayL79916
    5:503h56
    Portsmouth Harbour (PMH)
    9:46Cardiff Central (CDF)
    £791One-way
    1 change
  • Great Western RailwayC03027 · W35415+South Western RailwayL84469
    4:593h40
    Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
    8:39Cardiff Central (CDF)
    £1841One-way
    2 changes
  • Great Western RailwayC03032 · G14934+South Western RailwayL79916
    5:553h41
    Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
    9:36Cardiff Central (CDF)
    £1841One-way
    2 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Portsmouth to Cardiff

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Portsmouth to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £22 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 50m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £22, while a train costs an average of £58.

Distance: 164 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Driving

£58

Average Price

£22

Average Price

Cheapest

£36

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 50m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 20m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 23m

Average total duration

5h 53m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 52m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.4kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Great Western Railway

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Portsmouth to Cardiff is a coach with an average price of £22.

This is compared to other travel options from Portsmouth to Cardiff:

A coach is £36 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Portsmouth to Cardiff costing on average £58.

The fastest way to travel from Portsmouth to Cardiff is by train with an average journey time of 3h 20m.

Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:

Coach takes on average 5h 53m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Portsmouth and Cardiff including taking a train and coach.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.

Tickets start at around £58 compared to roughly £36 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-22.06. The journey takes 3h 20m versus 2h 52m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.

Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.

Live departures

Portsmouth to Cardiff train times

The table below shows live departures for Portsmouth to Cardiff trains for today, Wednesday 2 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Great Western RailwayC03085 · G14944+South Western RailwayL79982
Delayed
17:17 17:00Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
3h37
20:37 Cardiff Central (CDF)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayG15021
On time
17:29 Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
3h18
20:47 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0 changesdirect
South Western RailwayL79988 · L79302+Great Western RailwayW34648
On time
18:00 Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
3h38
21:38 Cardiff Central (CDF)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayG15023
On time
18:29 Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
3h16
21:45 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0 changesdirect
South Western RailwayL79994 · L79303+Great Western RailwayG14945
On time
19:00 Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
3h47
22:47 Cardiff Central (CDF)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayW35041
On time
19:29 Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
3h27
22:56 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayC03102 · W35426+South Western RailwayL84475
Delayed
20:30 20:00Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
3h46
23:46 Cardiff Central (CDF)
2 changes
Great Western RailwayG15026
On time
20:28 Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
3h29
23:57 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayV28844 · G14947+South Western RailwayL84477
Delayed
21:35 21:00Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
4h22
1:22 Cardiff Central (CDF)
2 changes
Thursday 3 September
South Western RailwayL84469+Great Western RailwayC03027 · W354154:59 Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
3h40
8:39 Cardiff Central (CDF)2 changes
South Western RailwayL79916+Great Western RailwayG150025:50 Portsmouth Harbour (PMH)
3h56
9:46 Cardiff Central (CDF)1 change
South Western RailwayL79916+Great Western RailwayC03032 · G149345:55 Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS)
3h41
9:36 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 Portsmouth 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.

Thu
03 Sept
Fri
04 Sept
Sat
05 Sept
Sun
06 Sept
Mon
07 Sept
Tue
08 Sept
Wed
09 Sept

Why should you book Portsmouth to Cardiff trains with Omio?

Great Western Railway as well as Great Western Railway (GWR) offer trains services from Portsmouth to Cardiff.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Portsmouth to Cardiff.

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 Great Western Railway (GWR) to find the best option for your trip from Portsmouth 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 train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Portsmouth to Cardiff.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Portsmouth to Cardiff.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Portsmouth to Cardiff

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Portsmouth to Cardiff run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 20m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £20 but you can travel from only £13 by coach.

There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:25, the last at 21:20. The fastest train covers the 164 km distance in 3h 18m.

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 £13
Distance
164 km
Average train duration
3h 20m
Cheapest ticket price
£20
Trains per day
6
Direct trains
3
Fastest train
3h 18m
First train
4:25
Last train
21:20
Cheapest Month
Jul
Cheapest Day
Tue
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Sun
Least Busy Day
Fri
Best time to book
14 days
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 £13

Train companies: Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) from Portsmouth to Cardiff trainsGreat Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) trains will get you between Portsmouth and Cardiff from £13. 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 18m
Cheapest Great Western Railway Price
£20
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

Great Western Railway (GWR)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Great Western Railway (GWR) Duration
3h 16m
Cheapest Great Western Railway (GWR) Price
£99
Great Western Railway (GWR) frequency
12 a day

Complete guide to Cardiff

Things to do in Cardiff

Discover the best of Cardiff — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cardiff trip today.

  • Must visit

National Museum Cardiff

National museum with art, natural history and geology collections, plus Impressionist works and changing exhibitions in Cathays Park.

  • Must visit

St Fagans National Museum of History

Open-air museum of Welsh life with historic buildings, crafts, gardens and rural traditions relocated to spacious grounds west of the city.

  • Recommended

Museum of Cardiff

Museum in a Victorian library celebrating Cardiff’s story through interactive displays, local history and a well-presented city timeline.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for a UK city. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local transport and casual meals stay fairly manageable for most visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
£18-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Service may be included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is usual for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional, usually small change or rounding up.

FAQs: Portsmouth to Cardiff train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Portsmouth 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.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Portsmouth to Cardiff can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £20, while the average price tends to be around £58.
The train journey from Portsmouth to Cardiff covers a distance of 164 km and takes approximately 3h 18m. Trains run 6 per day.
The train distance from Portsmouth to Cardiff is 164 km.
The first train from Portsmouth to Cardiff leaves at 4:25.
The last train from Portsmouth to Cardiff departs at 21:20.
Trains from Portsmouth to Cardiff run approximately 6 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Portsmouth to Cardiff.
Yes, there is a direct train between Portsmouth and Cardiff. The service operates 3 times per day, provided by Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR).
To get from Portsmouth to Cardiff, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Portsmouth to Cardiff.
The train station in Portsmouth that goes to Cardiff is Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS), and it arrives at Cardiff Central (CDF).
The cheapest way to get from Portsmouth to Cardiff is by coach, costing approximately £13.
Booking trains from Portsmouth to Cardiff in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Portsmouth to Cardiff offers varied scenery, including views of the South Downs and the Severn Estuary, providing a mix of coastal and rural landscapes.
A day trip from Portsmouth to Cardiff is not feasible as the journey takes 3h 18m. However, trains are available 5 times per day.
In Cardiff, you can enjoy performances at the Millennium Centre, explore the vibrant nightlife in the city centre, take a scenic boat tour around Cardiff Bay, and have an adventurous day at Cardiff International White Water. Visit Cardiff Market for shopping and dining, discover Cardiff Castle and St Fagans National Museum of History, explore Cardiff Bay's attractions, enjoy the National Museum Cardiff's collections, and relax in Bute Park.
Two to three days are ideal to explore Cardiff's main attractions, including Cardiff Castle, the National Museum Cardiff, and the revitalised Cardiff Bay area.
Yes, you can take the train from Portsmouth to Cardiff.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Portsmouth and Cardiff

Most Portsmouth to Cardiff trains use the Portsmouth & Southsea to Cardiff Central station pair, with some services arriving at Heath High Level. Use this guide to compare Portsmouth and Cardiff train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Portsmouth
Arrival train stations in Cardiff

Which Portsmouth station do trains to Cardiff leave from?

Trains from Portsmouth to Cardiff leave from Portsmouth & Southsea. The station is from Portsmouth city centre at Portsmouth & Southsea station, Commercial Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 1EQ.
Portsmouth & SouthseaPortsmouth & Southsea station, Commercial Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 1EQWifiParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Portsmouth & Southsea from Portsmouth city centre

Location for Rail Replacement ServicesStation Street bus stop at side of Railway Station near Matalan car park.

Portsmouth & Southsea train station facilities and services

Portsmouth & Southsea has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Portsmouth & Southsea.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Portsmouth & Southsea. ATMs are available at Portsmouth & Southsea.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Portsmouth & Southsea.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Portsmouth & Southsea: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Portsmouth & Southsea: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Portsmouth & Southsea: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category A Station - This station has step-free access to all platforms. Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.

Portsmouth HarbourPortsmouth Harbour station, The Hard Interchange, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3PAWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Portsmouth Harbour from Portsmouth city centre

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

TrainLondon Victoria - Portsmouth Harbour, Brighton - Portsmouth Harbour, Littlehampton - Portsmouth Harbour, Three Bridges - Portsmouth Harbour, Barnham - Portsmouth Harbour, Gatwick Airport - Portsmouth Harbour, Havant - Portsmouth Harbour, Bognor Regis - Portsmouth Harbour · 3m · £0.90 · every ~4 min
Bus1, 2, 8, 3, 7, X4, H1, X5, Pr1 · 6m · £2 · every ~214 min

Portsmouth Harbour train station facilities and services

Portsmouth Harbour has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Portsmouth Harbour.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Portsmouth Harbour. ATMs are available at Portsmouth Harbour.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Portsmouth Harbour.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Portsmouth Harbour: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Portsmouth Harbour: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Portsmouth Harbour: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category B Station - Steps or 20m ramp (approx. 1:11 gradient) to main entrance, or steps to side entrance. 32m ramp (gradient up to 1:8) from Wightlink IoW ferry terminal. Level access to all platforms. Stepped footbridge between platforms is also available. Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.

FrattonFratton station, Selbourne Terrace, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 5AWWifiShoppingParkingDiningAccessibilityWCLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Fratton from Portsmouth city centre

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

TrainPortsmouth Harbour - London Waterloo, Portsmouth Harbour - Eastleigh, Portsmouth Harbour - Southampton Central, Portsmouth & Southsea - Southampton Central, Portsmouth Harbour - Woking, Portsmouth & Southsea - London Waterloo, Portsmouth Harbour - Guildford, Portsmouth Harbour - Winchester, Portsmouth Harbour - Basingstoke, Portsmouth & Southsea - Woking, Portsmouth Harbour - Woolston, Portsmouth & Southsea - Woolston, Portsmouth Harbour - Petersfield, Portsmouth Harbour - Fareham · 3m · £0.90 · every ~10 min
Bus1 · 4m · every ~30 min
13 · 6m · £2 · every ~6 min

Fratton train station facilities and services

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

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Fratton.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Fratton.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Fratton. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0800 5282100.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Fratton: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Fratton: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Fratton: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category A Station - This station has step-free access to all platforms, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.

More options for your journey from Portsmouth to Cardiff

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTrainsTrain Times to Cardiff Portsmouth to Cardiff train

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