Skip to contentTrainline homepage
RailcardsBusiness

No tickets in your basket.

Why not plan a trip?

My Bookings
Loading...
Loading...

Trains from Bolton to Cardiff Bay

Booking.com

ExternalLinkExternalLink

Open Booking.com in a new tab with places to stay on your trip

Avanti West Coast
CrossCountry

Compare prices from over 270 rail and coach companies in Europe

Icon of trainline-phone-tickets.svg

Buy your tickets with us and easily find them on your phone

Icon of trainline-safe-payments.svg

Safely pay with PayPal, Visa and all international payment cards

  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Bolton to Cardiff Bay

Trains to Cardiff Bay from Bolton

First train

04:54

Last train

00:21

Departure stationBolton
Arrival stationCardiff Bay
Journey time

From 4h 12m

Distance

149 miles (240 km)

Frequency

25 trains per day

Changes

2 changes

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales

Travel by train from Bolton to Cardiff Bay

Looking to travel from Bolton to Cardiff Bay by train? You've come to the right place!

Generally, the train from Bolton to Cardiff Bay takes around 7 hours 20 minutes, but can take just 4 hours 12 minutes on the fastest services. There are up to 25 trains per day from Bolton to Cardiff Bay.

You'll need to make 2 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line.

Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales and East Midlands Railway trains run on this route.

Booking early is one of the most effective ways to save money.

Start your search for train tickets from Bolton to Cardiff Bay in our Journey Planner.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Bolton to Cardiff Bay?

Want to know more about your journey from Bolton to Cardiff Bay? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do you travel to Cardiff Bay from Bolton?

To get to Cardiff Bay from Bolton, why not take the train? With 25 trains per day and an average journey time of 7 hours and 20 minutes, taking the train is a great way to travel. See our Journey Planner for up-to-date times and prices.

How long does it take to get from Bolton to Cardiff Bay by train?

On average, it takes around 7 hours and 20 minutes to travel from Bolton to Cardiff Bay by train, although you can get there in 4 hours and 12 minutes on the fastest services. With 25 trains per day running on this route, journey times may vary, so check our Journey Planner for more information.

How fast can trains travel from Bolton to Cardiff Bay?

The fastest time a train can travel the 149 miles (240 km) from Bolton to Cardiff Bay is 4 hours and 12 minutes.

Are there any direct trains from Bolton to Cardiff Bay?

There are no direct trains that run between Bolton and Cardiff Bay. You’ll need to make at least 2 changes along the way.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Bolton to Cardiff Bay?

As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, our Trainline team of experts have put together these tips to help you find the cheapest tickets.

1. Sign up to Ticket Alert

If you're planning a trip more than 12 weeks ahead, sign up to our Ticket Alert to get notified when Advance tickets are released for your travel date.

2. Use a Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel throughout the year. Buy one with us and you'll be able to store it digitally in our app, so you'll always have it on your travels.

3. Book split tickets

Our handy feature SplitSave will 'split' your train journey into multiple tickets, which can be much cheaper than buying a single ticket. Find out more about split tickets.

4. Travel Off-Peak

If you can be flexible with your travel times, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are usually cheaper in the UK. Generally, Off-Peak times are any time at weekends and outside of Monday to Friday morning and evening rush hours.

5. Consider a Season Ticket

Best for commuters, if you catch a train on the same route more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly, weekly and flexi options available, find out if a Season Ticket for Bolton to Cardiff Bay is right for you.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

§Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.
† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

Looking for more ideas?

Europe’s leading train and coach app

We help customers across Europe make more than 172,000 smarter journeys every day.

Get a link