Cardiff to Southend by train

  • First train
    04:55
  • Last train
    23:07
  • Avg changes
    1
  • Fastest journey
    3hr 27m
  • Distance
    269 kilometres
  • Trains per day
    50
  • Avg. journey time
    4hr 34m
  • Train operators
Prices explained

At Rail Europe we believe in price transparency. We use real data from Rail Europe searches to estimate the cheapest fares you should be able to find for your journey.

The cheapest price is the lowest fare we've ever found for this journey. These prices can usually be found by searching when booking opens but they vary due to availability, which depends on factors like the day of the week or time of year.

More popular journeys include 30 days in advance and 7 days in advance prices. These are updated every two weeks using prices we've found by searching exactly 7 or 30 days from the most recent Thursday (we picked Thursday because this is when average prices are usually found).

30 day and 7 day prices fluctuate based on demand and availability at the time of search. For example, the 7-day price in summer is likely to be more expensive than the same journey in winter.

Prices are sourced in GBP and converted to other currencies using the daily market exchange rate.

We're always seeking to improve how price-checking works, and we welcome feedback on how we can make it better.

Explore Cardiff to Southend by rail

Getting ready for a trip from Cardiff to Southend aboard a local train? Here’s what you need to know — including departure times, fastest routes and ticket prices — about the trip.

Train ticket cost for journeys between Cardiff and Southend

Just like airline tickets, train fares vary by the operator, the number of stops, the time of day you travel, how far in advance you book and more. When it comes to timing, while the cheapest tickets on this route are typically €63.94, when booked a month in advance, tickets costs an average of , and when purchased a week in advance, tickets increase to .

How to find cheap train tickets

Booking early nearly always keeps more money in your pocket, but there are other ways to save big on tickets. Refer to our cheap train ticket guide to make sure you make the most out of your travel budget.

Cardiff to Southend daily train schedule

Whether you’re headed to Southend on a Tuesday or a Sunday, with 50 trains per day, you will have multiple options to choose from.

  • 05:12: departure of first train Monday-Friday

  • 21:20: departure of last train Monday-Friday

  • 04:55: departure of first train on weekends

  • 23:07: departure of last train on weekends

  • Every 14 minutes: frequency of train departures

Travel time and distance between Cardiff and Southend

The route’s fastest journey takes 3 hours and 27 minutes, covering a total of 269 kilometres.

When do tickets go on sale between Cardiff and Southend?

You can start planning and booking your trip between Cardiff and Southend 5 months before the departure date. Pro tip: buy your tickets as early as possible to save money.

Making your Cardiff to Southend travels smooth and enjoyable

Explore our wide range of help articles for a hassle-free journey and find travel ideas from our city guide: Southend.

FAQs about the train journey from Cardiff to Southend

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

What’s the distance from Cardiff to Southend by train?

The train route from Cardiff to Southend covers 269 kilometres.

How much is a train ticket from Cardiff to Southend?

The cheapest fare on this route is €63.94. If you book 30 days in advance, tickets cost about . If booked 7 days in advance, the cost is typically .

When can I buy tickets for trains running from Cardiff to Southend?

Tickets for travel between Cardiff to Southend are available 5 months before departure.

What’s the travel time from Cardiff to Southend by train?

The fastest journey time is 3 hours and 27 minutes.

Southend to Cardiff by train

Other journeys to Southend View all journeys to Southend

Other journeys from Southend

Other journeys from Cardiff

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Child and youth passengers

The definition of "Child" and "Youth" varies by country and operator. This is why we ask for the age of young passengers.

Sometimes children below a certain age can travel without a seat for free. If you want to guarantee a seat for child passengers, enter '6' as the age of the child.

Read more about child and youth passenger ages. See also youth discounts and railcards.