Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Cardiff to Edinburgh
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $32. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 20m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $32, and a flight costs an average of $113.
Distance: 308 miles (497 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$202 Average price | $67 Average price Cheapest | $209 Average price |
6h 56m Average total duration 6h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 48m Average total duration 13h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 20m Average total duration Fastest 1h 20m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Travel optionsfrom Cardiff to Edinburgh
How to get from Cardiff to Edinburgh by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cardiff to Edinburgh is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
NX202 · NX101 · NX1836:25 AM14h15Cardiff, Sophia Gardens8:40 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station$871One-way2 transfers
Cheapest
NX202 · NX101 · NX1836:25 AM14h15Cardiff, Sophia Gardens8:40 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station$871One-way2 transfers
Fastest
L64791+
W029299:53 AM6h25Cardiff Central (CDF)4:18 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)$2141One-way1 transfer
Other options
C750089:45 AM7h24Cardiff Central (CDF)5:09 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)$2151One-way0 transfers
L64807+
L02372+
C740918:53 AM6h43Cardiff Central (CDF)3:36 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)$2141One-way2 transfers
L64810+
C01379+
C7409910:53 AM6h47Cardiff Central (CDF)5:40 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)$2141One-way2 transfers
FlixBus · FlixBus7:10 AM14h35Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)9:45 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station$1111One-way1 transfer
NX216 · NX100 · NX18310:10 PM19h05Cardiff, Sophia Gardens5:15 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station$881One-way2 transfers
FlixBus · FlixBus1:40 AM15h55Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)5:35 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station$1171One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
Compare bus, train, and flight 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.
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FAQs: Travel from Cardiff to Edinburgh
Travel to Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.

This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Edinburgh:
A bus is $43 (€35) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Edinburgh costing on average $76 (€61).
A bus is $81 (€66) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cardiff to Edinburgh costing on average $113 (€92).
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 25m.
Bus takes on average 12h 5m.
- Around 7 buses per day.
- Around 6 trains per day.
- Around 1 flights per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cardiff and Edinburgh as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Cardiff Airport and arrive in Edinburgh Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Cardiff Central (CDF) and arrive in Edinburgh Waverley (EDB).
- Buses mostly depart from Cardiff, Sophia Gardens and arrive in Edinburgh, Bus Station.
- Travel with CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Transport for Wales, Cross Country, first_great_western, Transport for Wales to go to Edinburgh by train.
- Travel with FlixBus, National Express, Megabus to go to Edinburgh by bus.
- Travel with Loganair, easyJet to go to Edinburgh by flight.
- 0 direct trains per day with CrossCountry.
- 1 direct flights per day with Loganair.
Travelling from Cardiff to Edinburgh: related information
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