Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Reading to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Cardiff among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $11. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 29m. 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 $11, and a train costs an average of $36.
Distance: 95 miles (153 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
$68 Average price | $53 Average price Cheapest |
1h 59m Average total duration Fastest 1h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 8m Average total duration 3h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Travel optionsfrom Reading to Cardiff
How to get from Reading to Cardiff by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Reading to Cardiff is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
1:30 AM5h45Reading7:15 AMCardiff$191One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
1:30 AM5h45Reading7:15 AMCardiff$191One-way0 transfers
Fastest
8:25 PM2h35Reading11:00 PMCardiff$271One-way0 transfers
Other options
9:03 PM4h37Reading1:40 AMCardiff$511One-way0 transfers
10:03 PM5h57Reading4:00 AMCardiff$571One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Reading 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 Reading to Cardiff.

This is compared to other travel options from Reading to Cardiff:
A bus is $25 (€20) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Reading to Cardiff costing on average $36 (€29).
Other travel options to Cardiff take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 30m.
- Around 14 buses per day.
- Around 7 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Reading and Cardiff as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Reading station (RDG) and arrive in Cardiff Central (CDF).
- Buses mostly depart from Reading, Blagrave Street and arrive in Cardiff, Sophia Gardens.
- Ferries mostly depart from West Cowes and arrive in Southampton Vehicle Ferry Terminal.
- Travel with Great Western Railway, first_great_western to go to Cardiff by train.
- Travel with Megabus, FlixBus, National Express to go to Cardiff by bus.
- 7 direct trains per day with Great Western Railway, first_great_western.
Travelling from Reading to Cardiff: related information
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