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Trains from Cardiff Central to Inverness

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Avanti West Coast
Caledonian Sleeper

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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 Inverness

Trains to Inverness from Cardiff Central

It takes an average of 14h 5m to travel from Cardiff Central to Inverness by train, over a distance of around 417 miles (671 km). There are normally 32 trains per day travelling from Cardiff Central to Inverness and tickets for this journey start from £78 when you book in advance.

First train

03:21

Last train

23:30

Departure stationCardiff Central
Arrival stationInverness
Journey time

From 10h 12m

Distance

417 miles (671 km)

Frequency

32 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £78

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, London North Eastern Railway, Lumo, ScotRail, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales

What are the train times from Cardiff Central to Inverness?

Check out the next trains departing from Cardiff Central to Inverness for Tuesday 13th October 2026 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.
DepartsArrivesDuration
06:5117:0210h 11m, 4 changes
07:5318:2610h 33m, 3 changes
09:4521:2311h 38m, 1 change
09:5320:0810h 15m, 2 changes
10:5321:2310h 30m, 3 changes
11:5322:4210h 49m, 2 changes
12:5523:1910h 24m, 3 changes
13:5308:2618h 33m, 3 changes
20:1008:4512h 35m, 1 change
20:1812:0715h 49m, 3 changes

What are the train times from Cardiff Central to Inverness?

Get from Cardiff Central to Inverness in as little as 10 hours 12 minutes on the fastest trains, so you can make the most of your time.

The average train journey from Cardiff Central to Inverness takes around 14 hours 5 minutes. There are around 32 trains that operate on this route daily.

As there are no direct trains between Cardiff Central and Inverness, you'll need to make 1 change.

Trains on this route are operated by London North Eastern Railway, Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway and Lumo.

Tickets for this journey start from £78.00. Booking in advance often results in cheaper ticket prices.

With our Journey Planner, you can check live train times, compare prices and check routes.

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

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

How do you travel to Inverness from Cardiff Central?

To get to Inverness from Cardiff Central, why not take the train? With 32 trains per day and an average journey time of 14 hours and 5 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 Cardiff Central to Inverness by train?

On average, it takes around 14 hours and 5 minutes to travel from Cardiff Central to Inverness by train, although you can get there in 10 hours and 12 minutes on the fastest services. With 32 trains per day running on this route, journey times may vary, so check our Journey Planner for more information.

How much is the train ticket from Cardiff Central to Inverness?

The price of a train ticket from Cardiff Central to Inverness can start from as little as £78, depending on the time of day, route and class you book. Train tickets may also be cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day.

How fast can trains travel from Cardiff Central to Inverness?

The fastest time a train can travel the 417 miles (671 km) from Cardiff Central to Inverness is 10 hours and 12 minutes.

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

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 Inverness start at £78§ 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 Inverness 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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