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London to Cardiff by train
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Cheapest Price £32.83
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30 days in advance £33.95
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7 days in advance £50.00
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First train05:19
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Last train23:30
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Avg changes0
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Fastest journey1hr 47m
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Distance212 kilometres
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Trains per day67
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Avg. journey time2hr 2m
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Train operators
Taking the train from London to Cardiff
So you’re considering going from London to Cardiff by train? To ensure you have the smoothest, most carefree travel, keep this page handy.
Train travel between London and Cardiff: train ticket prices
Cost of train tickets from London to Cardiff:
Cheapest tickets: £32.83
Cost of tickets when booked 30 days in advance: £33
Cost of tickets when booked 7 days in advance: £50
Tickets go on sale 6 months in advance.
London to Cardiff train schedule
The earliest weekday train along this route departs at 05:19.
The latest weekday train along this route departs at 23:30.
The earliest weekend train along this route departs at 06:48.
The latest weekend train along this route departs at 22:00.
67 trains run along this route each day.
Trains leave the station every 6 minutes.
Train travel time and distance from London to Cardiff
Trains can complete this route in as little as 1 hour and 47 minutes. The total distance travelled is 212 kilometres.
How early can you book train tickets from London to Cardiff?
Tickets on this route typically go on sale 6 months in advance. Booking early gives you access to the most competitive prices and ample seating options.
Making your London to Cardiff travels smooth and enjoyable
Explore our wide range of help articles for a hassle-free journey and find travel ideas from our city guide: Cardiff.
Frequently asked questions
What is the travel distance between London and Cardiff by train?
The total journey from London to Cardiff is 212 kilometres.
What is the London to Cardiff train ticket price?
The cheapest ticket on this route runs £32.83. When booked 30 days in advance, tickets cost £33. If booked 7 days in advance, tickets can cost around £50.
When do tickets go on sale for trains travelling from London to Cardiff?
Tickets for this journey become available 6 months ahead of the travel date.
What’s the travel time from London to Cardiff by train?
The shortest trip is 1 hour and 47 minutes.
Other journeys to Cardiff View all journeys to Cardiff
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From Bristol to Cardiff From £16.42
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From Manchester to Cardiff From £30.97
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From Birmingham to Cardiff From £14.55
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From Port Talbot Parkway to Cardiff From £8.95
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From Brussels to Cardiff From £139.17
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From Cheltenham Spa to Cardiff From £8.21
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From Leicester to Cardiff From £39.18
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From Hereford to Cardiff From £14.92
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From Neath to Cardiff From £13.06
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From Leeds to Cardiff From £57.09
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From Swansea to Cardiff From £4.48
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From Bath Spa to Cardiff From £22.39
Other journeys from Cardiff
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From Cardiff to Taunton From £25.00
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From Cardiff to Bristol From £14.92
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From Cardiff to Manchester From £30.97
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From Cardiff to Leeds From £41.41
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From Cardiff to Crewe From £30.59
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From Cardiff to Birmingham From £14.55
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From Cardiff to Reading From £45.15
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From Cardiff to Hereford From £14.92
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From Cardiff to Doncaster From £59.32
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From Cardiff to Sheffield From £33.95
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From Cardiff to Wrexham From £25.00
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From London to Nice From £84.32
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From London to Milan From £59.32
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From London to Paris From £32.09
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From London to Brussels From £63.80
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From London to Berlin From £50.37
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Great Western Railway
It is easy to travel by train from London to Cardiff. The best option is to use the Great Western Railway (GWR) services.
The journey from London to the Welsh capital includes some fine countryside as the train speeds west via the Thames Valley and Wiltshire to reach the River Severn. It dives under the river in a long tunnel, emerging in Wales.
London Paddington to Cardiff Central

The direct Great Western trains to Cardiff leave from London Paddington station and arrive at Cardiff Central. Most trains make four or five stops. The main towns on the route are Reading and Swindon. Later in the journey, the train skirts the northern edge of Bristol, stopping at the out-of-town Bristol Parkway station. Shortly after leaving that station, the train uses the Severn Tunnel to reach Wales.