Cardiff to London train with Great Western Rail

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The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff to London

Showing times and prices for Mar 21

Cheapest price

€73

Average price

€74

Fastest journey

1 h 48 m

Average duration

1 h 50 m

Trains per day

Distance

211 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Cardiff to London will cost around €74 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €73.

Fast trains

Of the 5 trains that leave Cardiff for London every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Fri, Mar 21 the direct trains cover the 211 km distance in an average of 1 h 50 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 48 m .

The slowest trains will take 1 h 52 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.

07:18PM1h52

Cardiff

09:10PMLondon

€731One-way

0 transfers

04:50PM1h51

Cardiff

06:41PMLondon

€731One-way

0 transfers

04:54PM1h50

Cardiff

06:44PMLondon

€741One-way

0 transfers

08:21PM1h48

Cardiff

10:09PMLondon

€741One-way

0 transfers

09:20PM1h51

Cardiff

11:11PMLondon

€741One-way

0 transfers

Cardiff to London train times

Showing trains for tomorrow, Friday, March 21

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Transfers
Great Western RailGreat Western Rail	07:18PM Cardiff	1h52	09:10PM London	0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailGreat Western Rail	09:20PM Cardiff	1h51	11:11PM London	0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailGreat Western Rail	08:21PM Cardiff	1h48	10:09PM London	0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailGreat Western Rail	04:54PM Cardiff	1h50	06:44PM London	0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailGreat Western Rail	09:30PM Cardiff	3h00	12:30AM London	0 transfersDirect

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to London by train or bus

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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Cardiff to London?

The best time to book your train from Cardiff to London is 70 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Cardiff to London route.

Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Cardiff to London per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Cardiff to London.

Trains

from €46

Buses

from €13

Journey information

Overview: Train from Cardiff to London

Trains from Cardiff to London run on average 16 times per day, taking around 2h 12m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €37 but you can travel from only €7 by bus.

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

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Bus from €7

Distance

211 km

Average train duration

2h 12m

Cheapest ticket price

€37

Trains per day

Direct trains

Train providers

Fastest train

1h 47m

First train

05:07

Last train

21:30

Price information

Cheapest alternative travel mode

Bus from €7

Train companies: Great Western Rail, South Western Railway and first_great_western trains Cardiff to London

Travel between Cardiff and London from €25 with Omio’s train partners Great Western Rail, South Western Railway and first_great_western! You can find the best timetables and tickets when comparing and booking the most popular journey for you.

Great Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London Paddington to the West of England, South Wales and the Cotswolds. It also operates services from London Paddington to Oxford, Reading and Bristol. It offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, air conditioning and catering services. The most popular routes for Great Western Railway are London Paddington to Bristol, Reading and Oxford.

Train information from Cardiff to London with Great Western Rail:

Average Duration: 1 h 48 min
Cheapest Price: €25

South Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom, providing services in the south and south-west of England. It operates a variety of train types, including high-speed trains, local stopping services, and suburban commuter trains. It also offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Off-Peak, and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for South Western Railway include London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour, London Waterloo to Weymouth, and London Waterloo to Bournemouth.

FAQs: Trains from Cardiff to London

FAQs: Travel by train from Cardiff to London easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Cardiff to London.

Cheap train tickets from Cardiff to London can start from as little as €35 when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Cardiff to London is €57; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.

On average the Cardiff to London train time is 1 h 47 min covering the 211 km long route, but the journey time can vary depending on specific dates or if traveling on weekends and holidays.

The first train from Cardiff to London leaves at 03: 14. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.

The last train from Cardiff to London leaves at 23: 11.

Yes, there are 7 direct trains a day from Cardiff to London with Great Western Rail or first_great_western. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct trains.

For the best Cardiff to London train to book, you can travel safely and comfortably with Great Western Rail or first_great_western. However, it's always good to check all possible train providers with services between Cardiff and London to compare what amenities they may offer.

No, there are no night trains, the latest train for this route is 23: 11.

Passengers board the train most frequently from Cardiff Central, which is located around 1.1 miles (1.8 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at London Paddington, located 3 miles (4.8 km) away from the city centre.

A day trip to London from Cardiff is worth doing with a journey time of 1 h 47 min each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.

The cheapest month for a train from Cardiff to London is November.

You have options as you can travel to London from Cardiff 2 different ways: train or coach.

Popular train stations from Cardiff to London

Cardiff

London

The major train station for departures in Cardiff is Cardiff Central. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Cardiff Central for your trip from Cardiff to London.

Cardiff Central Wifi

Amenities at train station

Wifi

Shopping

Parking

Dining

ATM

Taxis

Accessibility

Hotel

Lounge

Lost and Found Office

Ticket Office

Address

Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP, United Kingdom

Phone Number

Ticket Office Hours

Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
Sun: 07:30 - 21:30

Wifi

Free Wi-Fi in the station.

Shopping

Type of shops available: News agent and convenience store

Parking

Car Park: Brewery Car park

Dining

Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen
Pret a Manger
Tesco Express

Taxis

Taxi: Taxi rank is on the right as you exit the main station entrance

Accessibility

There is step-free access in the whole station. There are also ramps for train access and elevators in the station.

Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platforms 1 to 8. The National Key toilets are located in the East Subway near the lifts and on Platform 8; these toilets are operated by a radar key and are only available during staffing hours.
National key toilets: Yes
National key toilets location: The National Key/Accessible toilets are located in the East Subway near the lifts and on Platform 8; these toilets are operated by a RADAR key and are only available during staffing hours.
Baby changing facilities: Yes

Hotel

Clayton Hotel Cardiff
Cardiff Marriott Hotel
Travelodge Cardiff Central

Lounge

Waiting rooms location: On platforms 1/2, 3/4, 6/7 and 8.

Ticket Office

Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
Sun: 07:30 - 21:30

Public transit options for Cardiff Central

Commuter rail lines: City Line, Rhondda Line, Rhymney Line, Valley Line, South Wales Main Line
Train lines: Transport for Wales, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway
Location for Rail Replacement Services: At the rear car park (Penarth Road entrance)