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.
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 Chester → Cardiff if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to Chester.
Transport for Wales
Take the bus to Liverpool One and then to Chester Delamere Street.
Multiple bus operators
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train | 3hrs | £84($100) | every 3 hours | 238km (148 miles) |
Bus | 4h 30m | £25($30) | twice a week | 360km (223 miles) |
Drive | 2h 60m | £28($33) | on demand | 242km (150 miles) |
Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire
Transport for Wales
The following major airports near Chester offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.