How to get to Cardiff from Macclesfield

Mon 02 Nov
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National Express
Avanti West Coast
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Macclesfield to Cardiff

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Macclesfield to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £27 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 41m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £27, while a train costs an average of £78.

Distance: 210 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Driving

£78

Average Price

£27

Average Price

Cheapest

£45

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 41m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 11m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 38m

Average total duration

6h 8m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 29m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

CrossCountry

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Compare ways to travel from Macclesfield to Cardiff

Compare the available ways to get from Macclesfield to Cardiff, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.

The cheapest way to travel from Macclesfield to Cardiff is a coach with an average price of £27.

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

A coach is £52 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Macclesfield to Cardiff costing on average £78.

The fastest way to travel from Macclesfield to Cardiff is by train with an average journey time of 3h 41m.

Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:

Coach takes on average 6h 38m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Macclesfield and Cardiff including taking a train and coach.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 18m sooner (3h 11m by train vs 3h 29m by car). Tickets start at around £78 compared to roughly £45 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.

Travel options
from Macclesfield to Cardiff

How to get to Cardiff from Macclesfield by train, bus, flight or ferry.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from Macclesfield to Cardiff is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • Cross Country
    1 change

Cheapest

  • Cross Country
    1 change

Fastest

  • Cross Country
    1 change

Other options

  • Cross Country
    1 change
  • Cross Country
    1 change
  • Cross Country
    1 change

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, coaches, flights and ferries

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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Best day trips from Cardiff by train

The most popular day trips by train from Cardiff are Bristol, Bath, Swansea, Newport and Cheltenham. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your train from Cardiff on Omio.

A view of Bristol

Day trip from Cardiff to Bristol by train

Why visit Bristol for the day?

Bristol is known for its maritime past, inventive culture and distinctive street art. Around the harbourside and Clifton, historic landmarks and a strong independent scene give the city an energetic but relaxed feel.

A view of Bath

Day trip from Cardiff to Bath by train

Why visit Bath for the day?

Bath is known for its Roman Baths, graceful Georgian architecture and links to Jane Austen. Its compact centre feels elegant yet lively, with historic streets, independent shops and a long-standing spa culture.

A view of Swansea

Day trip from Cardiff to Swansea by train

Why visit Swansea for the day?

Swansea is known for its sweeping bay, maritime past and connection to Dylan Thomas. The city mixes a practical urban centre with a waterfront feel and quick access to the Gower coast.

A view of Newport

Day trip from Cardiff to Newport by train

Why visit Newport for the day?

Newport is a South Wales city known for its industrial past, the Transporter Bridge and riverside setting on the Usk. Regenerated shopping areas and historic sites give it a practical mix of modern city life and local heritage.

A view of Cheltenham

Day trip from Cardiff to Cheltenham by train

Why visit Cheltenham for the day?

Cheltenham is a Regency spa town known for elegant architecture, garden squares and a lively festival calendar. It is especially associated with jump racing and the Cheltenham Festival, balanced by a refined town-centre atmosphere.

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FAQs: Macclesfield to Cardiff

Travel to Cardiff easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Macclesfield to Cardiff.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Macclesfield and Cardiff including taking a train and coach.
The cheapest way to travel from Macclesfield to Cardiff is a coach with an average price of £27.

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

A coach is £52 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Macclesfield to Cardiff costing on average £78.

The fastest way to travel from Macclesfield to Cardiff is by train with an average journey time of 3h 41m.

Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:

Coach takes on average 6h 38m.

The Macclesfield to Cardiff distance is approximately 210 km.
The average frequency per day from Macclesfield to Cardiff is:
  • Around 17 coaches per day.
  • Around 7 trains per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Macclesfield and Cardiff as scheduled services by train and coach can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Macclesfield to Cardiff:
  • Trains mostly depart from Macclesfield station (MAC) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
  • Coaches mostly depart from Manchester, Airport and arrive in Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens).
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Macclesfield to Cardiff, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with CrossCountry, Transport for Wales to go to Cardiff by train.
  • Travel with FlixBus to go to Cardiff by coach.
Omio customers who travel from Macclesfield to Cardiff often also extend their vacation to go to London, London Heathrow Airport, Bristol, Edinburgh, Bristol Airport. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Cardiff and these popular destinations at a great price.
To get from Macclesfield to Cardiff, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
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.

Travelling from Macclesfield to Cardiff: related information

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

HomeTravelTravel to United KingdomTravel to CardiffHow to get to Cardiff from Macclesfield

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