Business

No tickets in your basket.

Why not plan a trip?

My Bookings
Loading...
Loading...
Great Western Railway
Avanti West Coast

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

Trains to Southampton from Cardiff Central

First train

05:28

Last train

20:30

Departure stationCardiff Central
Arrival stationSouthampton
Journey time

From 2h 32m

Distance

86 miles (139 km)

Frequency

23 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Train operators

Great Western Railway

Travel from Cardiff Central to Southampton by train in 2 hours 32 minutes

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

The average journey time from Cardiff Central to Southampton by train is 2 hours 37 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 2 hours 32 minutes. You'll usually find 23 trains per day travelling the 86 miles (139 km) between these two destinations. Direct trains are usually available every day on the route to Southampton. You'll probably be travelling with Great Western Railway to get to Southampton, as they are the main operators of services on this route.

Plan your trip ahead and book your train tickets in advance if you want to snap up the cheapest fares. Travelling Off-Peak or using a Railcard are also great ways to save. Just start a search in our Journey Planner to view the latest prices for trains from Cardiff Central to Southampton.

Keep reading for more information about the train journey to Southampton, 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.

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

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

How do I get from Cardiff Central to Southampton?

You can travel from Cardiff Central to Southampton by train in about 2 hours and 37 minutes. With around 23 trains running each day, taking the train is easy. Find out more in our Journey Planner.

How long is the train journey from Cardiff Central to Southampton?

On average, the train journey from Cardiff Central to Southampton takes around 2 hours and 37 minutes, with 23 trains per day. The duration may vary slightly depending on the specific train and any potential delays. Use our Journey Planner to check out more information.

What is the fastest train from Cardiff Central to Southampton?

The fastest trains from Cardiff Central to Southampton can cover the distance of 86 miles (139 km) in as little as 2 hours and 32 minutes.

Is there a direct train from Cardiff Central to Southampton?

Yes, you can travel on a direct train between Cardiff Central and Southampton. There are usually 23 per day that are direct.

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

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 Southampton start at § 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 Southampton 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.

Europe’s leading train and coach app

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