How to travel from Birmingham to Cardiff

Thu, Apr 02
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Travel by bus, train with
CrossCountry
Megabus
National Express
FlixBus
Transport for Wales
1,000+ more
CrossCountry
Megabus
National Express
FlixBus
Transport for Wales
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare bus and train for Birmingham to Cardiff

Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $12. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 14m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $12, and a train costs an average of $21.

Distance: 88 miles (142 km)

Compare bus with

Most popular
Bus
Train

$19

Average price

Cheapest

$48

Average price

3h 54m

Average total duration

3h 24m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 44m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 14m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.4kg

CO2 emissions

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest
Megabus

Most popular bus company

CrossCountry

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

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

Travel options
from Birmingham to Cardiff

How to get from Birmingham to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from Birmingham to Cardiff is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    08:50AM4h25
    Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway
    01:15PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
    $211One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • National ExpressNX100 · NX201
    05:00AM6h00
    Birmingham, Coach Station
    11:00AMCardiff, Sophia Gardens
    $201One-way
    1 transfer

Fastest

  • CrossCountryC74845
    05:36AM2h22
    Birmingham New Street (BHM)
    07:58AMCardiff Central (CDF)
    $621One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • CrossCountryC74842
    05:00AM2h25
    Birmingham New Street (BHM)
    07:25AMCardiff Central (CDF)
    $621One-way
    0 transfers
  • West Midlands TrainsW08212 · W05459+Great Western RailwayP23211+Transport for WalesL65691
    06:27AM4h32
    Birmingham Moor Street (BMO)
    10:59AMCardiff Central (CDF)
    $1211One-way
    3 transfers
  • National ExpressNX111
    10:00AM2h35
    Birmingham, Coach Station
    12:35PMCardiff, Sophia Gardens
    $311One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    01:00PM4h05
    Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway
    05:05PMCardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
    $221One-way
    0 transfers
  • National ExpressNX101 · NX202
    07:50AM4h15
    Birmingham, Coach Station
    12:05PMCardiff, Sophia Gardens
    $241One-way
    1 transfer

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

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FAQs: Travel from Birmingham to Cardiff

Travel to Cardiff 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 Birmingham to Cardiff.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Birmingham and Cardiff including taking a bus and train.
The cheapest way to travel from Birmingham to Cardiff is a bus with an average price of $12 (€9).

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

A bus is $9 (€7) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Cardiff costing on average $21 (€17).

The fastest way to travel from Birmingham to Cardiff is by train with an average journey time of 1h 53m.

Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:

Bus takes on average 2h 25m.

The distance from Birmingham to Cardiff is approximately 88 miles (142 km).
The average frequency per day from Birmingham to Cardiff is:
  • Around 12 buses per day.
  • Around 8 trains per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Birmingham and Cardiff as scheduled services by bus and train can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Birmingham to Cardiff:
  • Trains mostly depart from Birmingham New Street (BHM) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
  • Buses mostly depart from Birmingham, Coach Station and arrive in Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Birmingham to Cardiff, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Megabus, National Express, FlixBus to go to Cardiff by bus.
  • Travel with CrossCountry, Transport for Wales, West Midlands Trains, Cross Country to go to Cardiff by train.
Yes, there are direct services available from Birmingham to Cardiff with the following travel companies:
  • 7 direct buses per day with Megabus, National Express, FlixBus.
  • 3 direct trains per day with CrossCountry, Cross Country.
Omio customers who travel from Birmingham to Cardiff often also extend their vacation to go to London, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, Swansea. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Cardiff and these popular destinations at a great price.
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