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Trains from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street

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Avanti West Coast
CrossCountry

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  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street

Trains to Cardiff Queen Street from Edinburgh (Waverley)

First train

05:52

Last train

23:45

Departure stationEdinburgh (Waverley)
Arrival stationCardiff Queen Street
Journey time

From 6h 3m

Distance

309 miles (497 km)

Frequency

37 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Train operators

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

What are the train times from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street?

Check out the next trains departing from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street 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
11:3018:527h 22m, 3 changes
12:5219:006h 8m, 2 changes
13:0020:157h 15m, 4 changes
13:0520:327h 27m, 1 change
13:3020:527h 22m, 3 changes
14:0020:526h 52m, 4 changes
14:5221:156h 23m, 2 changes
15:0423:037h 59m, 2 changes
15:2623:037h 37m, 3 changes
16:5223:266h 34m, 2 changes

What are the train times from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street?

Get from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street in as little as 6 hours 3 minutes on the fastest trains, so you can make the most of your time.

The average train journey from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street takes around 11 hours 3 minutes. There are around 37 trains that operate on this route daily.

As there are no direct trains between Edinburgh (Waverley) and Cardiff Queen Street, 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.

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 Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street?

Want to know more about your journey from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do you travel to Cardiff Queen Street from Edinburgh (Waverley)?

To get to Cardiff Queen Street from Edinburgh (Waverley), why not take the train? With 37 trains per day and an average journey time of 11 hours and 3 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 Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street by train?

On average, it takes around 11 hours and 3 minutes to travel from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street by train, although you can get there in 6 hours and 3 minutes on the fastest services. With 37 trains per day running on this route, journey times may vary, so check our Journey Planner for more information.

How fast can trains travel from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street?

The fastest time a train can travel the 309 miles (497 km) from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street is 6 hours and 3 minutes.

Are there any direct trains from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street?

There are no direct trains that run between Edinburgh (Waverley) and Cardiff Queen Street. You’ll need to make at least 1 change along the way.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street?

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. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 Edinburgh (Waverley) to Cardiff Queen Street 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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