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Trains from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury

Save 61% on average when you buy in advance †

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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.

Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury by train

It takes an average of 2h 7m to travel from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury by train, over a distance of around 87 miles (141 km). There are normally 29 trains per day travelling from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury and tickets for this journey start from £24.90 when you book in advance.

First train

03:24

Last train

22:26

Departure station

Cardiff Central

Arrival station

Shrewsbury

Journey time

From 1h 55m

Distance

87 miles (141 km)

Frequency

29 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £24.90

Train operators

Transport for Wales

Travel from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury by train in 1 hour 55 minutes

If you want to know more about the journey from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury by train, look no further!

The average journey time from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury by train is 2 hours 7 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 1 hour 55 minutes. You'll usually find 29 trains per day travelling the 87 miles (141 km) between these two destinations. Direct trains are usually available every day on the route to Shrewsbury. You'll probably be travelling with Transport for Wales to get to Shrewsbury, as they are the main operators of services on this route.

Plan your trip ahead of time and book early if you want to snap up the cheapest fares. Tickets from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury start from £24.90 when you book in advance, so use our Journey Planner to view the latest prices. Travelling Off-Peak or using a Railcard are also great ways to save.

Keep reading for more information about the train journey to Shrewsbury, including FAQs, and tips on booking cheap train tickets. Check the timetable above for live train times or if you're ready to book, just start a search for tickets with us today.

Journey details

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

How long does the train from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury take?

The average journey time by train between Cardiff Central and Shrewsbury is 2 hours and 7 minutes, with around 29 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between Cardiff Central and Shrewsbury by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury is 1 hour and 55 minutes.

How much does the train from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury cost?

Train ticket prices from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury can start from as little as £24.90 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury without having to change trains. There are 29 direct trains from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury leave?

The first train from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury leaves at 03:24. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury leave?

The last train from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury leaves at 22:26. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between Cardiff Central and Shrewsbury by train?

Trains travelling from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury cover a distance of around 87 miles (141 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Shrewsbury to Cardiff Central.

Cheap train tickets from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury

Train tickets from Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury start at £24.90‡ one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Cardiff Central to Shrewsbury is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

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.

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.

A journey back across Wales, with fine dining aboard

That Friday afternoon service was busy: reservations are really recommended for Business Class. Tony gave us a demo of his cooking in the galley kitchen with the door open wide into the main carriage, whilst the 20 or so diners had their orders shuttled in and out by Juneann, another one of the Arriva Trains Wales crew.

I feel at this point I should give a particular nod of respect to the team for choosing to offer – and their ability to serve without incident – soup as a starter, at 75mph.

Main course (“Menu 2” that week) was a choice of locally-reared rack of lamb and veg, sausage casserole with smashing black pudding potato mash, or a perfectly crafted asparagus and Caerphilly cheese tartlet. Followed by a cheese course or pudding. We were stuffed, and all of the food was included in the Business Class ticket price.

This was a happy train. The Business Class seats filled up, and speeding through Herefordshire and up through Shropshire the entire train essentially became a pub with wheels. The sunlight faded into darkness and I spent some time sitting in Standard Class, where passengers were munching, drinking and chatting.

This train of a couple of hundred exhausted people – all on our ways home to the Midlands, North Wales, or even on to Ireland by ferry from Holyhead, that Friday night – was a joyful place to be.

Now there are other timetabled mainline trains that serve First Class food at your seat, of course, but they’re rarely freshly-cooked fine dining. They’re efficient and they’re effective and they’re just what you need after a long day away from home: East Midland Trains, Avanti West Coast (formerly Virgin Trains), and London North Eastern Railway (LNER) offer hugely enjoyable catering like this.

There are even a few high-speed trains with excellent Pullman fine dining on Great Western Railway. But for entrepreneurialism, for character and for food service that you’ll never forget, I recommend that you branch out and take a trip on Transport for Wales (formerly Arriva Trains Wales) Business Class.

About Tim

Tim, a former Trainline employee, chose to share their experience of the journey between Cardiff and Shrewsbury.

† 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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