How to travel from Cambridge to Cardiff, United Kingdom

The distance between Cambridge and Cardiff is around 299km (186 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 3h 10m.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Cambridge to Cardiff by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out CardiffCambridge if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Farringdon and then to Cardiff Central.

  • Duration3h 10m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £90($110)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

2
plane
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train
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Plane and Train

Fly from London Stansted (STN) to Bristol (BRS) then take the train to Cardiff Central.

  • Duration3h 50m
  • Flight time2h 15m
  • Typical cost
    £100($120)
Operated by

Multiple operators

💰 Cheapest
3
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Coventry Pool Meadow Bus Station Priory Street and then to Cardiff University.

  • Duration5h 30m
  • Departs3 times a week
  • Typical cost
    £32($38)
4
car
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Drive

Drive to Cardiff.

  • Duration3h 20m
  • Distance299km (186 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cambridge and Cardiff

There are several options for getting from Cambridge to Cardiff by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £32 ($38) and will take around 5h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and arrive in approximately 3h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £90 ($110).

The distance between Cambridge and Cardiff is around 299km (186 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 241km (150 miles)

It takes around 3h 10m to get from Cambridge and Cardiff by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 20m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Cambridge to Cardiff is to take the train which takes around 3h 10m and will set you back approx £90 ($110).

The cheapest way to travel between Cambridge and Cardiff, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £32 ($38) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Cambridge and Cardiff. It typically takes around 3h 10m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Cambridge to Cardiff. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Farringdon and Paddington station. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 3h 10m.

Thameslink, Great Western Railway and CrossCountry run train services between Cambridge and Cardiff. Trains depart hourly and will take around 3h 10m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Cambridge and Cardiff. It typically takes around 5h 30m and departs 3 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Cambridge to Cardiff. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Coventry Pool Meadow Bus Station Priory Street. These services run 3 times a week and will take a minimum of 5h 30m.

Megabus UK run regular bus services between Cambridge and Cardiff. Buses run 3 times a week and take around 5h 30m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Cambridge to Cardiff. We recommend that you fly from London Stansted (STN) to Bristol (BRS) then take the train to Cardiff Central. instead which will take 3h 50m.

The closest major airport to Cardiff is Cardiff Airport (CWL) (CWL) which is approximately 14km (9 miles) from Cardiff. Bristol Airport (BRS) (BRS) and Exeter Airport (EXT) (EXT) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Cambridge and Cardiff. The distance is around 299km (186 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 20m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cambridge to Cardiff is to take the train which takes, on average, 3h 10m and will usually cost around £90 ($110).

How do I get from Cambridge to Cardiff

Compare travel optionsbetween Cambridge and Cardiff

Transport options from Cambridge to Cardiff
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
3h 10m
£90($110)
hourly332km (206 miles)
Train via Birmingham New Street4h 35m
£140($165)
hourly393km (244 miles)
Plane and Train
3h 50m
£100($120)
hourly913km (568 miles)
Bus
5h 30m
£32($38)
3 times a week335km (208 miles)
Drive
3h 20m
£35($41)
on demand299km (186 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Cambridge and Cardiff

Train operators

Airports near Cardiff

The following major airports near Cardiff offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

CWL
Cardiff Airport (CWL)
Domestic Airport
Distance
14km (9 miles) from Cardiff
BRS
Bristol Airport (BRS)
International Airport
Distance
34km (21 miles) from Cardiff
EXT
Exeter Airport (EXT)
International Airport
Distance
85km (53 miles) from Cardiff