Are you wondering how to get from London to Cardiff, Wales? I have been to Cardiff a number of times and travelling from London is way easier than it looks. Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, is very accessible from London.
You can reach Cardiff from London by coach, train, private transfer and car. The road distance between London and Cardiff is 239.4 kilometres or 148.8 miles while the direct distance is 211.5 kilometres or 131.4 miles. It takes about 3 hours to travel this distance by car.
Make this place your next day trip destination from London of choice because the area is teeming with towering castles waiting to be explored.
Don’t know which option to choose? I am here to help you sort the details out and hopefully help you find a mode of transport that best meets your preference.
How to get from London to Cardiff
OPTION 1: How to get from London to Cardiff by Coach
- Travel Duration: about 3 hours and 16 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £8.80
You can travel from London to Cardiff by coach. The bus departs from London Victoria Coach Station and arrives at the Cardiff Coach Station in Sophia Gardens.
I search Megabus for the best deals when it comes to coach travel in the UK. I know for a fact that if you book in advance, you will be able to get a fare that’s as low as £8.80.
Coach from London to Cardiff
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 12:30 am | 3:40 am | 3 hours 20 minutes | £8.80 |
| Latest trip | 11:59 pm | 3:15 am | 3 hours 16 minutes | £8.80 |
You can also take the bus serviced by Megabus. You have two routes to choose from: London Victoria Coach Station to Cardiff North Road, or London Heathrow Airport (T2 and T3) to Cardiff University.
Enjoy amenities onboard the air-conditioned bus including Wifi, toilet, charging port and wheelchair accessibility.
Bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Cardiff North Road
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 8:00 am | 12:25 pm | 4 hours 25 minutes | £8.13 |
| Latest trip | 11:59 pm | 4:35 am | 4 hours 36 minutes | £8.80 |
Bus from London Heathrow Airport (T2 and T3) to Cardiff University
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 12:50 am | 4:30 am | 3 hours 40 minutes | £12:46 |
| Latest trip | 7:20 pm | 10:15 pm | 2 hours 55 minutes | £12.46 |
You can also conveniently book Flixbus tickets for your coach travel between the two cities.
BEST COACH / BUS DEALS!
If you are planning to travel via coach or bus for your upcoming UK trip, I recommend searching for the best coach or bus fare deals with MEGABUS. They have a great network of coach or bus services across the four corners of the UK.
OPTION 2: How to get from London to Cardiff by Train
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour 49 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £28
Taking the train from London to Cardiff is made possible by Great Western Railway. The train departs from London Paddington Station and arrives at Cardiff Central.
This option is recommended for those wanting to arrive in Cardiff the fastest way possible. With the train, you don’t have to worry about the traffic conditions which greatly affect all the other options.
Here is a sample timetable so you have an idea:
Train from London to Cardiff
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 5:23 am | 8:03 am | 2 hours 40 minutes | £57 |
| Latest trip | 10:48 pm | 12:58 am | 3 hours 16 minutes | £45 |
| Cheapest trip | 10:18 am | 12:13 pm | 1 hour 55 minutes | £28 |
| Fastest trip | 4:48 pm | 6:37 pm | 1 hour 49 minutes | £59 |
Book tickets and check the schedule with Trainline ahead of time so you can get the most suitable travel timings for you. Also, check if you are eligible for any Railcard deals.
BEST TRAIN DEALS!
If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to the UK, I recommend searching for the best train fares with Trainline. They have great options for various trains and schedules, to suit your budget.
OPTION 3: How to get from London to Cardiff by Private Transfer
- Travel Duration: about 2 hours 47 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £290 for four passengers
There are many transport companies that offer private transfers from London to Cardiff. While I would not personally recommend travelling via this option, I can see how there can be a need for a private transfer on your way to Cardiff.
Maybe you are travelling as a group and would like some privacy and comfort as you travel. You might also want to travel at your own pace and time, so getting on a private transfer would definitely work for you.
Uber Taxi is one of the companies that offer this service. Their rates are fixed with no hidden charges! Simply use your app to book one.
OPTION 4: How to get from London to Cardiff by Car
- Travel Duration: about 3 hours
- Travel Fare: from £70.43
If you would like to be in charge of your whole travel, go and bring a car on your trip to Cardiff from London. To drive between the two destinations, you have to go via M4. It takes about 3 hours to travel the 148-mile road distance by car.
If you have driven in the UK before, this distance may be an easy feat for you. However, if it is your first time driving here, I suggest you read about my UK driving tips to help you get a grip on what it’s like to journey here by car.
Looking for a rental car? Go and book with Discover Cars for great car rental deals which you can’t surely say no to!
BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!
If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.
More About Cardiff
- Off to Cardiff this weekend? I wrote about all the fun things to do in Cardiff on your trip there.
- Book all the most recommended Cardiff activities with Get Your Guide.
- Cardiff is one of the best places to visit in the UK – find out why!
- Cardiff made it to my ultimate two-week UK travel itinerary; dedicate one whole day to see this historic and vibrant city.
- Cardiff Castle and Castel Coch are one of the most beautiful castles in Wales to visit.
HERE ARE SOME RECOMMENDED TOURS IN CARDIFF FROM GET YOUR GUIDE:
Map of Cardiff, Wales:
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
FAQs on How to Get from London to Cardiff
How do I get to Cardiff from London?
You can get to Cardiff from London by riding a coach, train, private transfer or car.
Is there a direct train from London to Cardiff Central?
Yes, there are direct trains from London to Cardiff Central. They are run by Great Western Railway.
How much does it cost to go to Cardiff from London?
The cost to go to Cardiff from London ranges from £8.13 to £325, depending on the mode of transport which you will choose.
How long is the train from London to Cardiff?
The train ride from London to Cardiff takes about 1 hour and 49 minutes to finish.
What is the distance from London to Cardiff by train?
The distance from London to Cardiff by train is around 131 miles or 211 kilometers.
Can I go from London to Cardiff by car?
Yes, you can go from London to Cardiff by car via M4. It takes about 3 hours to travel the 148-mile road distance by car.
What is the fastest way to get from London to Cardiff?
The fastest way to get from London to Cardiff is by train. You will reach Cardiff in about 1 hour and 49 minutes if you ride a train from London.
What is the cheapest way to get from London to Cardiff?
The cheapest way to get from London to Cardiff is by coach. The cost to ride one can be as low as £8.13.
What is the best way to get from London to Cardiff?
The best way to get from London to Cardiff is by coach. At a very affordable price, you have a comfortable seat in an air-conditioned vehicle packed with basic essential amenities that will make your trip enjoyable.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
Travel BlogEverything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British–Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in the Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our mission is to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.