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Trains from Cardiff Central to Sunderland

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CrossCountry
East Midlands 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 Sunderland

Trains to Sunderland from Cardiff Central

It takes an average of 9h 13m to travel from Cardiff Central to Sunderland by train, over a distance of around 248 miles (400 km). There are normally 41 trains per day travelling from Cardiff Central to Sunderland and tickets for this journey start from £228.10 when you book in advance.

First train

04:16

Last train

23:47

Departure stationCardiff Central
Arrival stationSunderland
Journey time

From 6h 7m

Distance

248 miles (400 km)

Frequency

41 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £228.10

Train operators

CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Grand Central Railway, Great Western Railway, London North Eastern Railway, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales

What are the train times from Cardiff Central to Sunderland?

Check out the next trains departing from Cardiff Central to Sunderland for Tuesday 20th 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
11:5319:057h 12m, 3 changes
12:1818:216h 3m, 2 changes
12:5019:026h 12m, 4 changes
12:5019:176h 27m, 3 changes
12:5520:027h 7m, 5 changes
13:1819:476h 29m, 4 changes
13:4520:056h 20m, 2 changes
13:5020:026h 12m, 4 changes
13:5020:056h 15m, 3 changes
13:5020:226h 32m, 2 changes

Trains to Sunderland from Cardiff Central

Want to travel from Cardiff Central to Sunderland by train? Start your journey with us.

It takes an average of 9 hours 13 minutes to travel from Cardiff Central to Sunderland by train. You'll find on average 41 trains per day running on this route.

There aren't any direct services on this line, but it's still easy to travel to Sunderland by train; you'll need to make 1 change.

London North Eastern Railway, Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales and East Midlands Railway trains operate on this route.

The journey from Cardiff Central to Sunderland starts at £228.10. Generally, booking Advance train tickets works out cheaper.

See our Journey Planner for up-to-date times and prices.

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

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

How do you get to Sunderland from Cardiff Central?

To travel to Sunderland from Cardiff Central, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 9 hours and 13 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 6 hours and 7 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information.

How long is the train ride from Cardiff Central to Sunderland?

Trains from Cardiff Central to Sunderland take an average of 9 hours and 13 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 6 hours and 7 minutes. You'll usually find 41 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 Sunderland by train?

Train tickets from Cardiff Central to Sunderland can start from £228.10 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 Sunderland by train?

The quickest journey time between Cardiff Central and Sunderland by train is 6 hours and 7 minutes.

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

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 Sunderland start at £228.10§ 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 Sunderland 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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