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London to Cardiff Central by train
It takes an average of 2h 18m to travel from London to Cardiff Central by train, over a distance of around 131 miles (211 km). There are normally 61 trains per day travelling from London to Cardiff Central and tickets for this journey start from £31 when you book in advance.
| First train | 04:23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 22:49 | |
| Departure station | London | |
| Arrival station | Cardiff Central | |
| Journey time | From 1h 43m | |
| Distance | 131 miles (211 km) | |
| Frequency | 61 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From £31 | |
| Train operators |
Travelling from London to Cardiff by train
Want to swap the English capital for the Welsh capital and looking for more information on the train journey from London to Cardiff Central? Start your journey with us!
Generally, the journey from London to Cardiff Central by train takes around 2 hours and 13 minutes but can take just 1 hour and 47 minutes on the fastest services. As there are direct services provided by Great Western Railway (GWR), you can sit back and make yourself comfortable as you don’t need to worry about changing along the way.
When travelling on this route, you’ll hop on a GWR train at London Paddington station. Once you’ve settled into your seat, you can enjoy the onboard amenities, including luggage space, power sockets, comfortable seating and family-sized tables. If you’d like to treat yourself, upgrade to GWR First Class and you’ll take advantage of enhanced WiFi, reclining seats and complimentary food and drink.
In less than two hours, you will arrive at Cardiff Central station. Want to see more of Wales? Read our guide to the best day trips from Cardiff for more inspiration.
Keen to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets from London to Cardiff Central with us today. If you’d like to find more information about the journey, you can check out:
- Train operators from London to Cardiff
- GWR train classes
- Onboard services from London to Cardiff
- How to get to London Paddington station
- Everything you need to know about London Paddington station
- Arriving at Cardiff station from London
- Using public transport in Cardiff
- Things to see and do in Cardiff
- Where to travel next after Cardiff.
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from London to Cardiff Central? 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 London to Cardiff Central take?
The average journey time by train between London and Cardiff Central is 2 hours and 18 minutes, with around 61 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 London and Cardiff Central by train?
The fastest journey time by train from London to Cardiff Central is 1 hour and 43 minutes.
How much does the train from London to Cardiff Central cost?
Train ticket prices from London to Cardiff Central can start from as little as £31 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 London to Cardiff Central?
Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Cardiff Central without having to change trains. There are 61 direct trains from London to Cardiff Central each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from London to Cardiff Central leave?
The first train from London to Cardiff Central leaves at 04:23. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from London to Cardiff Central leave?
The last train from London to Cardiff Central leaves at 22:49. 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 London and Cardiff Central by train?
Trains travelling from London to Cardiff Central cover a distance of around 131 miles (211 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Cardiff Central to London. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from London to Cardiff Central.
Cheap train tickets from London to Cardiff Central
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 London to Cardiff Central 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.
Train operators from London to Cardiff
You can travel from London to Cardiff on GWR trains. When you search for times and tickets, you might find some other options with multiple connections or operators if they’re available.
Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway (more commonly known as GWR) takes you further. From Swansea Bay to the Thames Valley via the Cotswolds, GWR makes it easy to get to various parts of the UK smoothly and hassle-free. Whether you want to travel from London to Bath, London to Oxford, or even London to Penzance, GWR can get you there.
Learn more about Great Western Railway (GWR).
GWR travel classes from London to Cardiff
On most services, GWR offers both Standard Class and First Class seating.
Standard
Benefit from family-sized tables, power sockets and generous luggage allowances, all at an affordable price. Great Western Railway makes trips across the UK easy for budgeters and thrill-seekers alike.
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Free WiFi |
Comfortable seating |
Table at every seat |
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✔ |
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First Class
GWR offers First Class seating for those wishing to kick back and relax on their journeys. Enjoy comfy seats, some individual seating, quieter coaches and complimentary WiFi, snacks and light refreshments (on long-distance trains). First Class ticket holders also have access to the First Class lounges at Cardiff and Paddington stations.
Find out more about GWR First Class.
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Free WiFi |
Comfortable seating |
Table at every seat |
Lounge access in London and Cardiff |
Complimentary refreshments |
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✔ |
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✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Onboard services from London to Cardiff
Learn more about the services offered on board GWR trains from London to Cardiff.
Luggage
Food and drink
Entertainment
Travel with children
Bikes
Pets
Special assistance
How to get to London Paddington station
When travelling from London to Cardiff, your train will depart from London Paddington station. Not sure how to get there? Read on for more information on how to navigate the city’s public transport to your train.
GWR trains to Cardiff Central leave from London Paddington station.
Located in Zone 1, Paddington station is easily accessible by public transport. Take a look at how to get there by:
- London Underground: The Bakerloo (brown), Hammersmith & City (pink), Circle (yellow), District (green), Metropolitan (magenta) and Elizabeth (purple) lines all stop at Paddington station.
- Bus: Multiple Transport for London (TfL) bus services serve Paddington station, including routes 7, 16, 23, 27, 36, 205, N7, N27 and N205.
Everything you need to know about London Paddington station
While you're waiting for your train, there are plenty of things to do at London Paddington station.
What’s on offer at London Paddington station?
- If you’re looking to while away the time waiting for your train, London Paddington station is full of facilities such as:
- Food and drink outlets including Wasabi, Pret A Manger and Costa Coffee
- Shops such as Boots, Lush and Accessorize
- Cash machines
- GWR First Class lounge
- Left luggage facilities (where lost property facilities are located)
- Induction loop
- Lift access to all floors
- Waiting rooms
- Toilets and showers (including accessible toilets, a Changing Places toilet and baby changing facilities)
- Wheelchairs available for use in the station
- Free WiFi.
Arriving at Cardiff Central station from London
When travelling on this route, you’ll always arrive at Cardiff Central train station, in the heart of the Welsh capital.
As soon as you’ve hopped off the train, you’ll want to start soaking up Cardiff’s atmosphere as quickly as possible.
Once you’ve left the platform, you simply need to scan your ticket at the barriers and you’re free to start exploring. As you’re already in the city centre, you can simply walk to Cardiff’s most popular landmarks. However, other areas of Cardiff are easily accessible thanks to the city’s public transport system:
- Walk: Cardiff is a relatively small city, so it’s easy to explore on foot – Cardiff Castle is about a 10-minute walk from Cardiff Central station.
- Bus: Local buses leave from the Cardiff Bus Interchange, which is directly outside the station, to all areas of the city.
- Train: From Cardiff Central station, you can take a Transport for Wales train to Cardiff Queen Street station, located in the eastern part of the city centre.
- Taxi: The closest taxi rank is directly outside the station.
Using public transport in Cardiff
Want to find out more about how to navigate Cardiff’s public transport system? We’ve got you covered!
Cardiff is a walkable city, so everywhere is easy to reach on foot. Plus, you’ll pass some historic spots as you walk. However, if you want to reach somewhere quickly, Cardiff boasts a convenient public transport system to help you navigate the city.
Taking the bus in Cardiff
After walking, the bus is the best way to get around Cardiff. Cardiff Bus is the main bus company in Cardiff, providing services across the city and to neighbouring towns and villages. You can buy a ticket on the Cardiff Bus app or from the driver. Using the bus network, you can get from Cardiff city centre to different areas of the city including Cathays, Fairwater and Rumney.
Taking the train in Cardiff
In Cardiff, there are several train stations. The main stations are Cardiff Central in the city centre and Cardiff Queen Street on the eastern side of the city. Transport for Wales run a service directly between the two stations, which takes around 2 minutes. If you would like to explore some more places around Wales, you can reach various towns and cities from Cardiff Central, including Newport, Barry and Swansea.
Things to do in Cardiff
Looking for something fun to do on your trip to Cardiff? You’re in luck! We’ve got plenty of suggestions for you.
When it comes to things to see and do in Cardiff, you’ll be spoilt for choice! Don’t worry - we’ve got some recommendations for you:
- Visit Cardiff Bay: Head straight to Cardiff Bay for trendy bars, chic coffee shops and the Wales Millennium Centre, the shining jewel in Wales’ creative crown. You can catch performances here ranging from ballet to opera and theatre.
- Check out Cardiff Castle: Towering over Bute Park, Cardiff Castle dates back to the 11th century. Explore its opulent rooms and take in the intricate Celtic craftsmanship.
- Explore the National Museum Cardiff: Close to Cardiff Castle, the National Museum Cardiff boasts exhibits that range from dinosaur bones to Greek pottery to a more local taste of history with ancient Welsh artefacts.
Where to travel next after Cardiff
If you enjoyed your time in Cardiff and want to explore more of Wales and the UK, you can easily reach nearby towns and cities by train. To inspire your next trip, here are some of the most popular train journeys from Cardiff: