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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.

London to Cardiff Central by train

It takes an average of 2h 17m to travel from London to Cardiff Central by train, over a distance of around 131 miles (211 km). There are normally 45 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

02:10

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Cardiff Central

Journey time

From 1h 43m

Distance

131 miles (211 km)

Frequency

45 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £31

Train operators

Great Western Railway

Travelling from London to Cardiff by train

GWR logo

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:

FAQs about the train journey from London to Cardiff Central

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 do I get from London to Cardiff Central?

You can travel from London to Cardiff Central by train in about 2 hours and 17 minutes. With around 45 trains running each day, taking the train is easy. Find out more in our Journey Planner.

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

On average, the train journey from London to Cardiff Central takes around 2 hours and 17 minutes, with 45 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.

How much is the train from London to Cardiff Central?

Train tickets from London to Cardiff Central start from as little as £31, depending on the time of booking, class of service and type of train. Booking in advance often results in cheaper prices.

What is the fastest train from London to Cardiff Central?

The fastest trains from London to Cardiff Central can cover the distance of 131 miles (211 km) in as little as 1 hour and 43 minutes.

Cheap train tickets from London to Cardiff Central

Train tickets from London to Cardiff Central start at £31 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

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.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

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.

Free WiFi

Comfortable seating

Table at every seat

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.

Free WiFi

Comfortable seating

Table at every seat

Lounge access in London and Cardiff

Complimentary refreshments

Onboard services from London to Cardiff

Learn more about the services offered on board GWR trains from London to Cardiff.

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:

† 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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