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Trains from London Paddington to Cardiff Central

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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. London Paddington to Cardiff Central

Trains to Cardiff Central from London Paddington

It takes an average of 2h 22m to travel from London Paddington to Cardiff Central by train, over a distance of around 129 miles (208 km). There are normally 64 trains per day travelling from London Paddington to Cardiff Central and tickets for this journey start from £32 when you book in advance.

First train

04:23

Last train

22:49

Departure stationLondon Paddington
Arrival stationCardiff Central
Journey time

From 1h 43m

Distance

129 miles (208 km)

Frequency

64 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £32

Train operators

Great Western Railway

What are the train times from London Paddington to Cardiff Central?

Check out the next trains departing from London Paddington to Cardiff Central for Friday 31st October 2025 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.
DepartsArrivesTrainDuration
23:32Exp. 23:47london paddington07:14cardiff centralgreat western railway Get tickets7h 27m, 1 change
06:48london paddington08:36cardiff centralgreat western railway PeakGet tickets1h 48m, direct
07:48london paddington09:36cardiff centralgreat western railway PeakGet tickets1h 48m, direct
08:48london paddington10:37cardiff centralgreat western railway PeakGet tickets1h 49m, direct
09:48london paddington11:41cardiff centralgreat western railway PeakGet tickets1h 53m, direct

Travelling from London Paddington to Cardiff by train

Want to find out more about taking the train from London Paddington to Cardiff? Look no further.

The train from London Paddington to Cardiff Central usually takes around 2h 13m but can take just 1h 47m on the fastest services, with around 39 trains running on this popular route every day. There’s no need for any changes along the way either, as there are direct trains available to your destination.

Great Western Railway is the main operator on this route. Free WiFi is available on most services, as well as hot and cold drinks and snacks on their high-speed services. Want to travel in style? Why not upgrade to GWR First Class – from comfy seats with extra space to tasty complimentary nibbles and drinks, there are endless benefits you can enjoy on board.

Want to get the best train deals? Travel Off-Peak – we’ll highlight the cheapest Off-Peak train tickets from London Paddington to Cardiff in our Journey Planner at the top of the page. If you’re travelling by train quite frequently, why not get a Railcard? You'll save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year!

If you’re feeling ready to book, start a search for cheap train tickets with us today. Want to check if trains are running? Use our timetable to view live train times from London Paddington to Cardiff Central.

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

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

How do I travel from London Paddington to Cardiff Central?

You can get from London Paddington to Cardiff Central by train in 2 hours and 22 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 1 hour and 43 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from London Paddington to Cardiff Central take?

The average journey time by train between London Paddington and Cardiff Central is 2 hours and 22 minutes, with around 64 trains per day running on this route. 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.

How much does the train from London Paddington to Cardiff Central cost?

Train tickets from London Paddington to Cardiff Central can start from as little as £32 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book.

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

The fastest journey time by train from London Paddington to Cardiff Central is 1 hour and 43 minutes.

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

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 London Paddington to Cardiff Central start at £32§ 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 London Paddington to Cardiff Central 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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