Cardiff to Southampton train with Great Western Railway

Thu, Sep 17
+ Add return
Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Renfe AVANT
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
2,000+ travel companies
Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Renfe AVANT
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff to Southampton

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for Sep 17

Cheapest price on Sep 17

€65

Average ticket price on Sep 17

€105

Fastest journey on Sep 17

2 h 25 m

Average journey duration on Sep 17

2 h 37 m

Trains on Sep 17

6

Distance

139 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Cardiff to Southampton will cost around €105 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €65.

Fast trains

On Thu, Sep 17, we found 6 trains from Cardiff to Southampton, including 3 direct services.

On Thu, Sep 17 the direct trains cover the 139 km distance in an average of 2 h 37 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 25 m .

On Thu, Sep 17 the slowest trains will take 2 h 58 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.

  • Great Western RailwayG15006
    9:28 AM2h34
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    12:02 PMSouthampton Central (SOU)
    651One-way
    0 transfers
  • Great Western RailwayW34974
    8:27 AM2h36
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    11:03 AMSouthampton Central (SOU)
    651One-way
    0 transfers
  • Great Western RailwayG15008
    10:30 AM2h32
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    1:02 PMSouthampton Central (SOU)
    711One-way
    0 transfers
  • Great Western RailwayG15045+CrossCountryG01009
    11:18 AM2h25
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    1:43 PMSouthampton Central (SOU)
    1291One-way
    1 transfer
  • Great Western RailwayG15043+CrossCountryG01005
    9:49 AM2h58
    Cardiff Central (CDF)
    12:47 PMSouthampton Central (SOU)
    1291One-way
    1 transfer

Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Cardiff to Southampton

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Southampton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €44 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 0m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €44, while a train costs an average of €78.

Distance: 139 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

€78

Average price

€44

Average price

Cheapest

€35

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 0m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 30m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 47m

Average total duration

5h 17m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 42m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.1 - 0.3kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Cardiff to Southampton is a bus with an average price of €21.

This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Southampton:

A bus is €35 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Southampton costing on average €56.

The fastest way to travel from Cardiff to Southampton is by train with an average journey time of 2h 37m.

Other travel options to Southampton take longer:

Bus takes on average 5h 19m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cardiff and Southampton including taking a train and bus.

Live departures

Cardiff to Southampton train times

The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Southampton trains for tomorrow, Thursday, September 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Great Western RailwayW349748:27 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h36
11:03 AM Southampton Central (SOU)0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayG15042+CrossCountryG010038:38 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
3h05
11:43 AM Southampton Central (SOU)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayG150069:28 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h34
12:02 PM Southampton Central (SOU)0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayG15043+CrossCountryG010059:49 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h58
12:47 PM Southampton Central (SOU)1 transfer
Great Western RailwayG1500810:30 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h32
1:02 PM Southampton Central (SOU)0 transfersDirect
Great Western RailwayG15045+CrossCountryG0100911:18 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
2h25
1:43 PM Southampton Central (SOU)1 transfer

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Southampton by train or bus

Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Thu
Sep 17
Fri
Sep 18
Sat
Sep 19
Sun
Sep 20
Mon
Sep 21
Tue
Sep 22
Wed
Sep 23

Why should you book Cardiff to Southampton trains with Omio?

Great Western Railway operates all trains services from Cardiff to Southampton.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cardiff to Southampton.

Why book with Omio vs Great Western Railway?

  • 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 Great Western Railway with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff to Southampton.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Cardiff to Southampton.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Cardiff to Southampton

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Cardiff to Southampton run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 37m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €27 but you can travel from only €12 by bus.

There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:45, the last at 21:38. The fastest train covers the 139 km distance in 2h 33m.

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 €12
Distance
139 km
Average train duration
2h 37m
Cheapest ticket price
€27
Trains per day
7
Direct trains
3
Fastest train
2h 33m
First train
4:45 AM
Last train
9:38 PM
Cheapest Month
Jan
Cheapest Day
Sun
High Season
Jul - Sep
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Tue
Least Busy Day
Wed
Best time to book
28 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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Bus from €12

Train companies: Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) from Cardiff to Southampton trainsGreat Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) trains will get you between Cardiff and Southampton from €12. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Great Western Railway

About
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.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Great Western Railway Duration
2h 33m
Cheapest Great Western Railway Price
€27
Luggage included
Two pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, dedicated luggage areas at end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches. First Class at-seat service on some routes
Seat reservation
Optional seat reservations available for a fee. Free in First Class
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

Great Western Railway (GWR)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Great Western Railway (GWR) Duration
2h 18m
Cheapest Great Western Railway (GWR) Price
€95
Great Western Railway (GWR) frequency
25 a day

FAQs: Trains from Cardiff to Southampton

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Southampton by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Southampton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap train tickets from Cardiff to Southampton can start from as little as €27 when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Cardiff to Southampton is €56; 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 train from Cardiff to Southampton is 2h 33m to travel the 139 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest train from Cardiff to Southampton leaves at 4:45 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The latest train from Cardiff to Southampton leaves at 9:38 PM.
Yes,there are 3 direct trains a day from Cardiff to Southampton with Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR). Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct trains.
When taking a train from Cardiff to Southampton, you can count on Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) for the best way to get you to Southampton. You can also check all possible train companies who offer a service between Cardiff and Southampton and compare the amenities they offer before buying a train ticket.
A trip to Southampton from Cardiff is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 2h 33m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a train from Cardiff to Southampton is January.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cardiff and Southampton including taking a train and bus.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from Cardiff to Southampton

Most Cardiff to Southampton trains use the Cardiff Central to Southampton Central station pair, with some services arriving at Woolston. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Southampton train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Cardiff
Arrival train stations in Southampton
Cardiff CentralCentral Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP, United Kingdom+44 3457114141WifiShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Cardiff Central from Cardiff city centre

Bus24, 25, 27, 86, 62, 30, 35, 21, 136, 7, 23, 63, 64 · 3m · €2 · every ~47 min
C1 · 5m · every ~8 min

Cardiff Central train station facilities and services

Cardiff Central has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Car Rental.

Food and drink

Food options include: Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen, Pret a Manger, Tesco Express

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are located outside of the main entrance.

Tickets and information

The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30, Sat: 05:40 - 21:30, Sun: 07:30 - 21:30.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Cardiff Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Cardiff Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff Central: There is step-free access in the whole station. There are also ramps for train access and elevators in the station.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Clayton Hotel Cardiff, Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Travelodge Cardiff Central.

More options for your journey from Cardiff to Southampton

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

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