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Trains from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport

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Great Western Railway
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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.
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  3. Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport

Trains to Gatwick Airport from Cardiff Central

It takes an average of 4h 29m to travel from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport by train, over a distance of around 132 miles (213 km). There are normally 53 trains per day travelling from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport and tickets for this journey start from £30.50 when you book in advance.

First train

04:07

Last train

23:40

Departure stationCardiff Central
Arrival stationGatwick Airport
Journey time

From 3h 5m

Distance

132 miles (213 km)

Frequency

53 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £30.50

Train operators

Great Western Railway, London Overground, South Western Railway, Southern, Thameslink, Transport for Wales

What are the train times from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport?

Check out the next trains departing from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport for Thursday 18th September 2025 using our handy timetable below, including platform and live travel information. You can view the full day timetable or search for a different date here.
DepartsArrivesTrainDuration
20:18On timecardiff central23:41On timegatwick airportPlat. 1 great western railway PeakGet tickets3h 23m, 2 changes
20:18On timecardiff central23:41On timegatwick airportPlat. 1 great western railway PeakGet tickets3h 23m, 2 changes
21:20On timecardiff central00:48On timegatwick airportPlat. 2 estimatedgreat western railway PeakGet tickets3h 28m, 2 changes
21:20On timecardiff central00:48On timegatwick airportPlat. 2 estimatedgreat western railway PeakGet tickets3h 28m, 2 changes
21:30On timecardiff central02:30On timegatwick airportPlat. 1 estimatedgreat western railway PeakGet tickets5h 0m, 3 changes

Taking the train from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport in 3 hours 5 minutes

Thinking about taking the train from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport? We've got you covered.

It usually takes around 4 hours 29 minutes to travel the 132 miles (213 km) from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport by train, although you can get there in as little as 3 hours 5 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 53 trains per day running on this route. You'll need to make 1 change along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. You're likely to be travelling with Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales or South Western Railway to Gatwick Airport. As the main train operators on this route, all offer plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating as standard.

Book train tickets from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport in advance instead of buying them on the day and they can start from £30.50. We'll always highlight the cheapest prices in our Journey Planner, for example when you travel at Off-Peak times or use a Railcard.

If you're feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Gatwick Airport by train, or check our timetable above to view live train times.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport?

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

How do you get to Gatwick Airport from Cardiff Central?

To travel to Gatwick Airport from Cardiff Central, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 4 hours and 29 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 3 hours and 5 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information.

How long is the train ride from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport?

Trains from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport take an average of 4 hours and 29 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 3 hours and 5 minutes. You'll usually find 53 trains per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

How much does it cost to get from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport by train?

Train tickets from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport can start from £30.50 when booked in advance, but they’re usually more expensive if bought on the day of travel. Prices may also vary depending on the time of day, route, and class you choose.

What is the quickest journey time between Cardiff Central and Gatwick Airport by train?

The quickest journey time between Cardiff Central and Gatwick Airport by train is 3 hours and 5 minutes.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport?

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. Book in advance

Train tickets from Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport start at £30.50§ one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. UK train companies usually release Advance tickets up to 12 weeks ahead of time, and these can be cheaper than tickets bought on the day of travel.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 Cardiff Central to Gatwick Airport 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.

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