Bristol to Cardiff bus with FlixBus

Mon, Sep 28
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National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
Avanza
BlaBlaCar Bus
2,000+ travel companies
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
Avanza
BlaBlaCar Bus
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Bristol to Cardiff

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for Sep 28

Cheapest price on Sep 28

€4

Average ticket price on Sep 28

€6

Fastest journey on Sep 28

1 h 10 m

Average journey duration on Sep 28

1 h 14 m

Buses on Sep 28

33

Distance

41 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Bristol to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Bristol to Cardiff will cost around €6 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €4.

Fast buses

On Mon, Sep 28, we found 33 buses from Bristol to Cardiff, including 33 direct services.

On Mon, Sep 28 the direct buses cover the 41 km distance in an average of 1 h 14 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 10 m .

On Mon, Sep 28 the slowest buses will take 1 h 15 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    8:55 PM1h20
    Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
    10:15 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
    €41One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    3:30 PM1h35
    Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
    5:05 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
    €41One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    7:10 PM1h15
    Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
    8:25 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
    €41One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    7:35 PM1h35
    Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
    9:10 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
    €41One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    11:40 AM1h35
    Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
    1:15 PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
    €41One-way
    0 transfers

Live departures

Bristol to Cardiff bus times

The table below shows live departures for Bristol to Cardiff buses for today, Sunday, September 27. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
National ExpressNX2166:25 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h15
7:40 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus8:15 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h20
9:35 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus9:15 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h30
10:45 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
National ExpressNX2019:40 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h20
11:00 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus10:40 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h30
12:10 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
National ExpressNX20210:45 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h20
12:05 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus11:40 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h35
1:15 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
National ExpressNX11111:40 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h20
1:00 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus12:10 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h30
1:40 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
National ExpressNX20212:45 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h20
2:05 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus1:00 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h15
2:15 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus2:50 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h40
4:30 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
National ExpressNX2022:55 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h20
4:15 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus3:30 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h35
5:05 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
National ExpressNX2024:35 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h20
5:55 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus4:55 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h40
6:35 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus5:55 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h35
7:30 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
National ExpressNX1116:15 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h15
7:30 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens0 transfersDirect
National ExpressNX2026:35 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h15
7:50 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus7:00 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h25
8:25 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus7:10 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h15
8:25 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus7:35 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h35
9:10 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
National ExpressNX2028:45 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h15
10:00 PM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus8:55 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h20
10:15 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus9:05 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h20
10:25 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus10:00 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h15
11:15 PM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus11:10 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h15
12:25 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
National ExpressNX20211:35 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h15
12:50 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens0 transfersDirect
Monday, September 28
FlixBusFlixBus12:10 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h15
1:25 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus1:05 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h15
2:20 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus2:50 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h15
4:05 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect
National ExpressNX2164:35 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h10
5:45 AM Cardiff, Sophia Gardens0 transfersDirect
FlixBusFlixBus5:10 AM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)
1h15
6:25 AM Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)0 transfersDirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Bristol to Cardiff by train or bus

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Why should you book Bristol to Cardiff buses with Omio?

National Express as well as FlixBus offer buses services from Bristol to Cardiff.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Bristol to Cardiff.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for National Express, but also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Bristol to Cardiff.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare National Express with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Bristol to Cardiff.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Bristol to Cardiff.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Bristol to Cardiff.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Bristol to Cardiff

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Bristol to Cardiff run on average 29 times per day, taking around 1h 23m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €4 if you book in advance.

There are 29 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:10, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 41 km distance in 1h 0m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
41 km
Average bus duration
1h 23m
Cheapest ticket price
€4
Buses per day
29
Direct buses
29
Fastest bus
1h 0m
First bus
12:10 AM
Last bus
11:55 PM
Cheapest Month
May
Cheapest Day
Thu
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Apr - Jun
Busiest Day
Sun
Least Busy Day
Fri
Best time to book
42 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: FlixBus, National Express from Bristol to CardiffYou can travel by bus between Bristol to Cardiff with FlixBus, National Express for as low as €4. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average FlixBus Duration
1h 15m
Cheapest FlixBus Price
€4
FlixBus frequency
23 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average National Express Duration
1h 0m
Cheapest National Express Price
€5
National Express frequency
10 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

Buses from Bristol to Cardiff

National Express operates a direct bus service between Bristol and Cardiff. This is a one hour trip, although some services can take 20 minutes longer. There are ten buses covering this route every day, departing at least every two hours, and hourly at peak times. Coaches begin travelling this route every day at 9:15 a.m., and service ends at 1:55 a.m.

What are the departure and arrival stations for buses from Bristol to Cardiff?

Departure Station: Bristol Coach Station Also known as Marlborough Street Station. The station is conveniently located between the University and the shopping area of Broadmead which can be reached on foot in just ten minutes. The cultural district and Harbourside are one mile away, and so is Temple Meads.

Arrival Station: Cardiff Coach Station Cardiff Coach Station, or Sophia Gardens Station, located by the River Taff, 0.6 miles north of the Millennium Stadium and from Cardiff Castle. There are frequent city buses connecting the station with the city centre, although the most convenient bus is number 24. The recreational area of Cardiff Bay is two and a half miles away.

Which bus companies provide the route from Bristol to Cardiff?

There is one bus provider that serves the route from Bristol to Cardiff– National Express

How long is the journey from Cardiff to Bristol on the coach?

On average the journey takes just over an hour to complete on the coach. This may var slightly depending on the coach provider and if the service includes a change or a stop.

Where do the coaches depart from and arrive to?

Departing Bristol on the coach: Bristol Coach Station is the main departure point in the city for National Express services. Located in the city centre, about a mile from Bristol Temple Meads station, the coach station can be reached on foot from most other central destinations, or by using public buses.

Getting into Cardiff on the coach: National Express buses from Bristol to Cardiff terminate at Cardiff Bus Station, which is conveniently located on the forecourt of Cardiff rail station in the heart of the city centre, and easy walking distance from most hotels and the main shopping promenade.

FAQs: Bus from Bristol to Cardiff

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bristol to Cardiff by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cardiff, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Bristol to Cardiff can start from as little as €4 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Bristol to Cardiff is €9; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Bristol to Cardiff is 1h 0m to travel the 41 km long trip. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Bristol to Cardiff leaves at 12:10 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Bristol to Cardiff leaves at 11:55 PM.
Yes, there are 29 direct coaches a day from Bristol to Cardiff with National Express, FlixBus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from Bristol to Cardiff, you can count on National Express, FlixBus for the best way to get you to Cardiff. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Bristol and Cardiff and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Bristol , you have various coach station options to start your trip from including Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St), Bristol, Airport (Public Transport Interchange), Bristol, Airport Bus Station . When arriving in Cardiff , you can end your trip in coach stations like Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens), Cardiff, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Kingsway (Stop GB), Cardiff, University, Cardiff, Millennium Stadium .Passengers board the coach most frequently from Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St), which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens), located 0 away from the city centre.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Bristol and Cardiff including taking a train and bus.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Bristol to Cardiff:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Bristol to Cardiff for coach company National Express, FlixBus.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Bristol to Cardiff depends on the coach companies:
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
  • FlixBus
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express, FlixBus.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Bristol to Cardiff.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Bristol to Cardiff:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
  • FlixBus
    • One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Bristol to Cardiff:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
  • FlixBus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Bristol to Cardiff. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Bristol to Cardiff with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Bristol to Cardiff with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Bristol to Cardiff with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus.

popular bus stations

Popular bus stations from Bristol to Cardiff

Most Bristol to Cardiff buses use the Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) to Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) station pair, with some services arriving at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens. Use this guide to compare Bristol and Cardiff bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Bristol
Arrival bus stations in Cardiff
Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St)Bristol Bus Station (Bay 19), Marlborough Street 15, BS1 3ES
City-centre transport

Getting to Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) from Bristol city centre

Bus76, X6, X1, 39, 75, X9, X4, 73, X39, 522, X6a, X1a · 4m · €2 · every ~156 min
Bristol, Airport Bus Station
City-centre transport

Getting to Bristol, Airport Bus Station from Bristol city centre

BusFal · 19m · €11 · every ~4 min
A1 · 29m · €4 · every ~30 min
A1 · 32m · €4 · every ~30 min
A1 · 39m · €4 · every ~30 min

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