How to travel from Cardiff to Chester, United Kingdom

The distance between Cardiff and Chester is around 238km (148 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 60m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Cardiff to Chester 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 ChesterCardiff if you're planning a return trip.

1
train
+

Train

Take the train to Chester.

  • Duration3hrs
  • Departsevery 3 hours
  • Typical cost
    £84($100)
Operated by

Transport for Wales

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Liverpool One and then to Chester Delamere Street.

  • Duration4h 30m
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    £25($30)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Chester.

  • Duration2h 60m
  • Distance242km (150 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cardiff and Chester

There are several options for getting from Cardiff to Chester by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £25 ($30) and will take around 4h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 60m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £28 ($33).

The distance between Cardiff and Chester is around 238km (148 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 191km (119 miles)

It takes around 3hrs to get from Cardiff and Chester by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 60m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Cardiff to Chester is to drive which takes around 2h 60m and will set you back approx £28 ($33).

The cheapest way to travel between Cardiff and Chester, 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 Chester. It typically takes around 3hrs and departs once daily.

Yes there is a direct train service that runs between Cardiff and Chester with no changeovers required. The train runs once daily and takes 3hrs.

Transport for Wales run train services between Cardiff and Chester. Trains depart once daily and will take around 3hrs, 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 Chester. It typically takes around 4h 30m and departs twice a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Cardiff to Chester. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Liverpool One and Liverpool Whitechapel. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 4h 30m.

Megabus UK and Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire run regular bus services between Cardiff and Chester. Buses run twice a week and take around 4h 30m 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 Chester. We recommend that you take the train to Chester. instead which will take 3hrs.

The closest major airport to Chester is Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) (LPL) which is approximately 16km (10 miles) from Chester. Manchester Airport (MAN) (MAN) and Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) (LBA) 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 Chester. The distance is around 242km (150 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 60m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cardiff to Chester is to take the train which takes, on average, 3hrs and will usually cost around £84 ($100).

How do I get from Cardiff to Chester

Compare travel optionsbetween Cardiff and Chester

Transport options from Cardiff to Chester
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
3hrs
£84($100)
every 3 hours238km (148 miles)
Bus
4h 30m
£25($30)
twice a week360km (223 miles)
Drive
2h 60m
£28($33)
on demand242km (150 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Cardiff and Chester

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Chester

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

LPL
Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL)
International Airport
Distance
16km (10 miles) from Chester
MAN
Manchester Airport (MAN)
International Airport
Distance
45km (28 miles) from Chester
LBA
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)
International Airport
Distance
111km (69 miles) from Chester