Skip to contentTrainline homepage
RailcardsBusiness

No tickets in your basket.

Why not plan a trip?

My Bookings
Loading...
Loading...

Trains from Southend to Cardiff Central

Booking.com

ExternalLinkExternalLink

Open Booking.com in a new tab with places to stay on your trip

CrossCountry
Great Western Railway

Compare prices from over 270 rail and coach companies in Europe

Icon of trainline-phone-tickets.svg

Buy your tickets with us and easily find them on your phone

Icon of trainline-safe-payments.svg

Safely pay with PayPal, Visa and all international payment cards

  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Southend to Cardiff Central

Trains to Cardiff Central from Southend

First train

03:25

Last train

23:38

Departure stationSouthend
Arrival stationCardiff Central
Journey time

From 3h 26m

Distance

167 miles (269 km)

Frequency

88 trains per day

Changes

2 changes

Train operators

CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, South Western Railway, c2c

What are the train times from Southend to Cardiff Central?

Check out the next trains departing from Southend to Cardiff Central for Tuesday 13th 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
10:5114:373h 46m, 2 changes
11:2915:083h 39m, 2 changes
11:4915:363h 47m, 2 changes
12:2916:063h 37m, 2 changes
12:4916:383h 49m, 2 changes
13:0216:383h 36m, 3 changes
13:2917:093h 40m, 2 changes
13:5017:373h 47m, 2 changes
14:2918:063h 37m, 2 changes
14:3118:063h 35m, 3 changes

Travelling from Southend to Cardiff Central by train

If you're planning to travel from Southend to Cardiff Central, we're here to help!

On average, the train journey from Southend to Cardiff Central takes around 5 hours 20 minutes. There are normally 88 trains per day travelling from Southend to Cardiff Central.

You'll have to make 2 changes on your journey to Cardiff Central, as there are no direct trains.

Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, South Western Railway and c2c trains operate on this route.

Save money on your train tickets by booking in advance.

Use our Journey Planner to compare ticket prices and find the cheapest fares.

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

Want to know more about your journey from Southend 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 Southend to Cardiff Central?

You can travel from Southend to Cardiff Central by train in about 5 hours and 20 minutes. With around 88 trains running each day, taking the train is easy. Find out more in our Journey Planner.

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

On average, the train journey from Southend to Cardiff Central takes around 5 hours and 20 minutes, with 88 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.

What is the fastest train from Southend to Cardiff Central?

The fastest trains from Southend to Cardiff Central can cover the distance of 167 miles (269 km) in as little as 3 hours and 26 minutes.

Is there a direct train from Southend to Cardiff Central?

No, you can’t travel from Southend to Cardiff Central on a direct train, you’ll need to make at least 2 changes during the journey.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Southend 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. 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 Southend 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.

Looking for more ideas?

Europe’s leading train and coach app

We help customers across Europe make more than 172,000 smarter journeys every day.

Get a link