Cardiff to Swansea train with Transport for Wales

Fri 02 Oct
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Transport for Wales
Great Western Railway
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
Transport for Wales
Great Western Railway
Avanti West Coast
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff to Swansea

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 02 Oct

Cheapest price on 02 Oct

£4

Average ticket price on 02 Oct

£12

Fastest journey on 02 Oct

50 m

Average journey duration on 02 Oct

51 m

Trains on 02 Oct

45

Distance

55 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Cardiff to Swansea will cost around £12 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £4.

Fast trains

On Fri 02 Oct, we found 45 trains from Cardiff to Swansea, including 42 direct services.

These direct trains cover the 55 km distance in an average of 51 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 50 m .

The slowest trains will take 51 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.

  • Transport for WalesG39201
    8:541h11
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    10:05Swansea station (SWA)
    £41One-way
    0 changes
  • Transport for WalesG38905
    7:210h56
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    8:17Swansea station (SWA)
    £41One-way
    0 changes
  • Transport for WalesG39189
    7:391h15
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    8:54Swansea station (SWA)
    £41One-way
    0 changes
  • Transport for WalesG38864
    8:500h52
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    9:42Swansea station (SWA)
    £41One-way
    0 changes
  • Great Western RailwayW34663
    8:080h54
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    9:02Swansea station (SWA)
    £51One-way
    0 changes

Live departures

Cardiff to Swansea train times

The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Swansea trains for today, Thursday 1 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Great Western RailwayW34634
On time
17:39 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h55
18:34 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesY62400
On time
17:45 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h56
18:41 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesG39266
On time
17:51 Cardiff Central (CDF)
1h10
19:01 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayW35419
On time
18:09 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h54
19:03 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayW34637
On time
18:39 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h51
19:30 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesG38885
On time
18:48 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h53
19:41 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayG14943
On time
20:19 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h57
21:16 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayG14944
On time
20:40 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h51
21:31 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesG38890
On time
20:58 Cardiff Central (CDF)
1h01
21:59 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesG38890 · G39487
On time
20:58 Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h30
23:28 Swansea station (SWA)
1 change
Great Western RailwayW34646
On time
21:04 Cardiff Central (CDF)
1h00
22:04 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayW34648
On time
21:44 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h51
22:35 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesY62924
On time
22:29 Cardiff Central (CDF)
1h15
23:44 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayG14945
On time
22:50 Cardiff Central (CDF)
1h01
23:51 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesY63426
On time
23:29 Cardiff Central (CDF)
1h20
0:49 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayW35426
On time
23:51 Cardiff Central (CDF)
1h05
0:56 Swansea station (SWA)
0 changesdirect
Friday 2 October
Great Western RailwayG149316:39 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h51
7:30 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesG383146:44 Cardiff Central (CDF)
1h11
7:55 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesG389057:21 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h56
8:17 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesG391897:39 Cardiff Central (CDF)
1h15
8:54 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayW346638:08 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h54
9:02 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayW354158:42 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h50
9:32 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesG388648:50 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h52
9:42 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesG392018:54 Cardiff Central (CDF)
1h11
10:05 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayG149349:38 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h51
10:29 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesY6242910:06 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h56
11:02 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayG1493610:39 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h51
11:30 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesG3886810:50 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h53
11:43 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect
Transport for WalesG3921110:54 Cardiff Central (CDF)
1h11
12:05 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayG1493811:42 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h51
12:33 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect
Great Western RailwayW3461812:39 Cardiff Central (CDF)
0h51
13:30 Swansea station (SWA)0 changesdirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Why should you book Cardiff to Swansea trains with Omio?

Transport for Wales as well as Great Western Railway offer trains services from Cardiff to Swansea.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cardiff to Swansea.

Why book with Omio vs Transport for Wales?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Transport for Wales, but also compare tickets for the likes of Great Western Railway to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff to Swansea.
  • 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 Transport for Wales with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff to Swansea.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Great Western Railway to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff to Swansea.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Cardiff to Swansea.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Cardiff to Swansea

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Cardiff to Swansea run on average 8 times per day, taking around 57m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £4 but you can travel from only £4 by coach.

There are 8 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:05, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 55 km distance in 50m.

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 £4
Distance
55 km
Average train duration
57m
Cheapest ticket price
£4
Trains per day
8
Direct trains
8
Fastest train
50m
First train
0:05
Last train
23:58
Cheapest Month
Dec
Cheapest Day
Sun
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Mon
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 £4

Train companies: Transport for Wales, Great Western Railway from Cardiff to Swansea trainsTransport for Wales, Great Western Railway trains will get you between Cardiff and Swansea from £4. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Transport for Wales

About
Transport for Wales is a public transport provider in Wales, UK. It operates a comprehensive network of trains, buses and ferries across the country. The trains are modern and comfortable, with a range of different types including InterCity Express Trains, Regional Trains, and Metro Trains. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. There are a variety of ticket types available, including single and return tickets, season tickets, and group tickets. The most popular routes include Cardiff to Swansea, Cardiff to Newport, and Cardiff to Manchester.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Transport for Wales Duration
52m
Cheapest Transport for Wales Price
£4
Transport for Wales frequency
3 a day
Luggage included
2 large items of luggage and 1 small hand luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policy depends on ticket type
Refund
Full refund if service canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service on most routes with snacks and drinks. Some stations have cafes
Seat reservation
Seat reservations recommended but not mandatory. Free of charge when booking tickets
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs allowed with ticket (£5 per day). Guide dogs free
Quiet zone

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
50m
Cheapest Great Western Railway Price
£5
Great Western Railway frequency
3 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

Complete guide to Swansea

Things to do in Swansea

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

  • Must visit

Swansea Museum

Swansea's main museum covers local history, Egyptology, natural history and maritime displays in a historic waterfront building.

  • Must visit

National Waterfront Museum

A modern museum in the Maritime Quarter exploring the city's copper, coal, industry and waterfront heritage with interactive exhibits.

  • Recommended

Dylan Thomas Centre

A compact museum inside Dylan Thomas Square focusing on the writer's life, works and links to Swansea through exhibitions and events.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for the UK. Hotels, meals and local transport are often cheaper than in London, though summer stays and seafront dining can raise daily costs.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-12 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
£15-25 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£45+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£2.80-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Taxis: round up or add about 10%. Cafés and pubs: tipping is optional, though small change is appreciated.

Trains from Cardiff to Swansea

Great Western Railway operates direct trains from Cardiff to Swansea. The first departure is at approximately 5:30 a.m. with trains running two to three times an hour until just after 11:00 p.m. The journey takes around 1 hour. There is a reduced service on Sundays.

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Cardiff to Swansea?

Departure Station:Trains from Cardiff to Swansea depart from Cardiff Central Station. This is located in the city centre and is a major transport hub. Station facilities include taxi ranks, a car park and bicycle storage. It is adjacent to Cardiff Central Bus Station from where local and national buses depart as well as shuttle services to Cardiff Airport.

Arrival Station:Swansea Station is located right on the city's High Street and has both bicycle storage facilities and car parking. The station has a taxi rank and is served by several local bus routes.

FAQs: Cardiff to Swansea train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Swansea 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 Swansea, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Cardiff to Swansea can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £4, while the average price tends to be around £12.
The train journey from Cardiff to Swansea covers a distance of 55 km and takes approximately 50m. Trains run 8 per day.
The train distance from Cardiff to Swansea is 55 km.
The first train from Cardiff to Swansea leaves at 0:05.
The last train from Cardiff to Swansea departs at 23:58.
Trains from Cardiff to Swansea run approximately 8 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Cardiff to Swansea.
Yes, there is a direct train between Cardiff and Swansea. The service operates 8 times per day, provided by Transport for Wales, Great Western Railway.
There is no night train service from Cardiff to Swansea.
The train station in Cardiff that goes to Swansea is Cardiff Central (CDF), and it arrives at Swansea station (SWA).
Booking trains from Cardiff to Swansea in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Cardiff to Swansea offers scenic views, including glimpses of the South Wales countryside, coastline, and rolling hills, providing a pleasant and picturesque experience for travellers.
Yes, you can take the train from Cardiff to Swansea.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Swansea

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

Departure train stations in Cardiff
Arrival train stations in Swansea
Cardiff CentralCentral Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP, United Kingdom+44 3457114141WifiShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Cardiff Central from Cardiff city centre

Bus24, 25, 27, 86, 62, 30, 35, 21, 136, 7, 23, 63, 64 · 3m · £2 · every ~47 min
C1 · 5m · every ~8 min

Cardiff Central train station facilities and services

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

Food and drink

Food options include: Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen, Pret a Manger, Tesco Express

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are located outside of the main entrance.

Tickets and information

The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30, Sat: 05:40 - 21:30, Sun: 07:30 - 21:30.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Cardiff Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Cardiff Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff Central: There is step-free access in the whole station. There are also ramps for train access and elevators in the station.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Clayton Hotel Cardiff, Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Travelodge Cardiff Central.

CathaysCathays station, Plas-y-Parc, Cardiff, Cardiff, CF10 3LUParkingDiningAccessibilityHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Cathays from Cardiff city centre

TrainCardiff Central - Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff Central - Treherbert, Cardiff Central - Pontypridd, Aberdare - Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff Central - Radyr, Radyr - Radyr · 6m · £0.90 · every ~8 min
BusC1 · 16m · every ~8 min

Cathays train station facilities and services

Cathays has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Cathays.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Cathays. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 03333 211202, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Arrival screens.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Cathays: Parking.

Bike and car services

Available at Cathays: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Cathays: 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.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Travelodge.

Ninian ParkNinian Park station, Leckwith Road, Ninian Park, Cardiff, CF11 8AHParkingDiningTaxisAccessibilityLost and Found OfficeBike ParkingBike Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Ninian Park from Cardiff city centre

Ninian Park is 1 km from Cardiff city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainCardiff Central - Milford Haven, Cardiff Central - Carmarthen, Cardiff Central - Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil - Aberdare, Cardiff Central - Pembroke Dock, Cardiff Central - Radyr, Radyr - Radyr · 3m · £0.90 · every ~4 min
Bus4, 611, 95 · 5m · £2 · every ~9 min

Ninian Park train station facilities and services

Ninian Park has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Ninian Park.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Ninian Park: Parking, Taxis.

Bike and car services

Available at Ninian Park: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Ninian Park: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category B2. Step free access to Platform 1 (to Cardiff) from Leckwith Road. Step free access to Platform 2 (to Radyr) Leckwith Road via a ramp with a steep gradient, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) do not accept cash. Payment is by major debit and credit cards only, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.

More options for your journey from Cardiff to Swansea

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