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Trains from Stansted Airport to Cardiff Central

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CrossCountry
Great Western Railway

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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. Stansted Airport to Cardiff Central

Trains to Cardiff Central from Stansted Airport

It takes an average of 5h 20m to travel from Stansted Airport to Cardiff Central by train, over a distance of around 150 miles (242 km). There are normally 103 trains per day travelling from Stansted Airport to Cardiff Central and tickets for this journey start from £30.40 when you book in advance.

First train

04:30

Last train

00:30

Departure stationStansted Airport
Arrival stationCardiff Central
Journey time

From 3h 16m

Distance

150 miles (242 km)

Frequency

103 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £30.40

Train operators

CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, Transport for Wales

About the train journey from Stansted Airport to Cardiff Central

Want to travel from Stansted Airport to Cardiff Central by train? Start your journey with us.

The train from Stansted Airport to Cardiff Central usually takes 5 hours 20 minutes on average to travel 150 miles (242 km), although the quickest services can take as little as 3 hours 16 minutes. You can expect to find 103 trains per day running on this popular route. You'll need to make 1 change during the journey to Cardiff Central, as there currently aren't any direct services on this route. During your journey, you're likely to be travelling with Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia or Transport for Wales, as these are the main train operators on this route.

You can save money on train tickets from Stansted Airport to Cardiff Central if you book in advance, as tickets usually start from £30.40. You can also travel Off-Peak – tickets are usually cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends – or get a Railcard and save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year. Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to compare ticket prices and get the cheapest fares.

If you want to know more about the journey, scroll up for timetables and live train times, or keep reading for tips on finding cheap tickets and FAQs. Want to go straight to booking? Start a search with us today!

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

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

How do you get to Cardiff Central from Stansted Airport?

To travel to Cardiff Central from Stansted Airport, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 5 hours and 20 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 3 hours and 16 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information.

How long is the train ride from Stansted Airport to Cardiff Central?

Trains from Stansted Airport to Cardiff Central take an average of 5 hours and 20 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 3 hours and 16 minutes. You'll usually find 103 trains per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

How much does it cost to get from Stansted Airport to Cardiff Central by train?

Train tickets from Stansted Airport to Cardiff Central can start from £30.40 when booked in advance, but they’re usually more expensive if bought on the day of travel. Prices may also vary depending on the time of day, route, and class you choose.

What is the quickest journey time between Stansted Airport and Cardiff Central by train?

The quickest journey time between Stansted Airport and Cardiff Central by train is 3 hours and 16 minutes.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Stansted Airport 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 Stansted Airport to Cardiff Central start at £30.40§ 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 Stansted Airport 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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