How to travel from Cardiff to Barnstaple, United Kingdom

The distance between Cardiff and Barnstaple is around 203km (126 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 10m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Cardiff to Barnstaple by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

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

1
3 x train
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Train

Take the train to Bristol Temple Meads then Exeter St Davids and then to Barnstaple.

  • Duration2h 50m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £79($95)

1 similiar route

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

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Bristol Bond St and then to Barnstaple Bus Station.

  • Duration3h 55m
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    £25($30)
🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Barnstaple.

  • Duration2h 10m
  • Distance203km (126 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cardiff and Barnstaple

There are several options for getting from Cardiff to Barnstaple by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £25 ($30) and will take around 3h 55m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £35 ($42).

The distance between Cardiff and Barnstaple is around 203km (126 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 76km (47 miles)

It takes around 2h 50m to get from Cardiff and Barnstaple by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 10m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Cardiff to Barnstaple is to drive which takes around 2h 10m and will set you back approx £35 ($42).

The cheapest way to travel between Cardiff and Barnstaple, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £25 ($30) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Cardiff and Barnstaple. It typically takes around 2h 50m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Cardiff to Barnstaple. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Bristol Temple Meads and Exeter St Davids. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 2h 50m.

Great Western Railway and CrossCountry run train services between Cardiff and Barnstaple. Trains depart hourly and will take around 2h 50m, 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 Cardiff and Barnstaple. It typically takes around 3h 55m and departs 5 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Cardiff to Barnstaple. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Bristol Bond St. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 3h 55m.

Megabus UK run regular bus services between Cardiff and Barnstaple. Buses run 5 times a week and take around 3h 55m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Cardiff to Barnstaple. We recommend that you take the train to Bristol Temple Meads then Exeter St Davids and then to Barnstaple. instead which will take 2h 50m.

The closest major airport to Barnstaple is Exeter Airport (EXT) (EXT) which is approximately 60km (37 miles) from Barnstaple. Cardiff Airport (CWL) (CWL) and Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY) (NQY) 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 Cardiff and Barnstaple. The distance is around 203km (126 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 10m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cardiff to Barnstaple is to take the train which takes, on average, 2h 50m and will usually cost around £79 ($95).

How do I get from Cardiff to Barnstaple

Compare travel optionsbetween Cardiff and Barnstaple

Transport options from Cardiff to Barnstaple
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
2h 50m
£79($95)
hourly244km (152 miles)
Train via Exeter St Davids3h 30m
£59($70)
every 4 hours246km (153 miles)
Bus
3h 55m
£25($30)
5 times a week230km (143 miles)
Drive
2h 10m
£35($42)
on demand203km (126 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Cardiff and Barnstaple

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Barnstaple

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

EXT
Exeter Airport (EXT)
International Airport
Distance
60km (37 miles) from Barnstaple
CWL
Cardiff Airport (CWL)
Domestic Airport
Distance
61km (38 miles) from Barnstaple
NQY
Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY)
Domestic Airport
Distance
97km (60 miles) from Barnstaple