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Travelling from Manchester to Cardiff by train? Advance Tickets can be as low as £11.80*, with average fares of £28.38. Benefit from Off-Peak train tickets, Return train tickets, and Anytime Train Tickets for extra savings. Enjoy the most cost-effective and pleasant journey with TrainPal. For more tips on saving money, visit our UK cheap train ticket guide.
The journey from Manchester to Cardiff on the fastest train in 3h 8m, usually 3h 34m. Each day, 36 trains leave from Manchester, starting at 05:11 and ending at 23:37. Get real-time updates on train schedules, delays, and cancellations. Save time, effort, and money with TrainPal.
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| Departs | Arrives | Status | Duration | Operator | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
05:11 Manchester Piccadilly | 08:38 Cardiff Central | On time | 3h 27m | CrossCountry | Find tickets | |
05:11 Manchester Piccadilly | 08:44 Cardiff Central | On time | 3h 33m | CrossCountry | Find tickets | |
05:11 Manchester Piccadilly | 09:25 Cardiff Central | On time | 4h 14m | CrossCountry | Find tickets | |
06:27 Manchester Piccadilly | 09:47 Cardiff Central | On time | 3h 20m | Transport for Wales | Find tickets | |
07:25 Manchester Piccadilly | 11:25 Cardiff Central | On time | 4h | CrossCountry | Find tickets |
Plan your journey from Manchester to Cardiff with ease. Explore the first and last train times, departure and arrival stations, distance, journey time, and price options to make the most of your trip.
| First train | 05:11 |
|---|---|
| Last train | 23:37 |
| Departure station | Manchester |
| Arrival station | Cardiff |
| Distance | 144 miles (232 km) |
| Journey time | From 3h 8m |
| Price | From £11.80 |
| Train operators | CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Northern |
With Transport for Wales, the ride from Manchester to Cardiff takes approximately 3 hours. The Welsh capital and the northern powerhouse of Manchester are around 144 miles apart, meaning the journey is a little longer than some other UK routes.
Your journey will include traversing through Greater Manchester and Cheshire, passing the verdant counties of Shropshire and Herefordshire before dropping down into Wales and onto the Welsh capital, Cardiff.
Transport for Wales runs the direct Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff train. It also operates most train services within Wales, such as Cardiff to Swansea, and cross-border services into England to destinations like Bristol, Liverpool, and Manchester.
Manchester Piccadilly is the busiest train station in Manchester and one of the busiest in the UK, meaning that it’s fortunately very well connected to other train stations, as well as buses, taxis, and Metrolink trams. Manchester Coach Station is only a five-minute walk to Piccadilly.
If you’re coming from Manchester Airport, you can catch the direct train from the airport to Piccadilly, which takes only around fifteen minutes.
Since Manchester Piccadilly is such a major railway hub, many other UK train operators use this station including Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern, TransPennine Express, and East Midlands Railway.
There are ten stations between Manchester Piccadilly and Cardiff. These are: Stockport, Wilmslow, Crewe, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Leominster, Hereford, Abergavenny, Cwmbran, and Newport.
Although it’s worth remembering that these stations may change due to things like scheduling changes or unpredictable weather events, it's best to check before you travel.
If you want to buy cheap train tickets, booking in advance on sites like TrainPal is a good idea. Adding a Railcard will earn you an extra discount, too.
Cardiff Central station is conveniently situated in the city centre at Central Square, providing immediate access to the vibrant city right from your train carriage.
Cardiff offers a plethora of attractions. Cardiff Castle, with origins dating back to the Roman era, was later managed by the Normans and underwent significant Gothic and Victorian renovations in the 19th century. The National Museum of Cardiff and Techniquest science museum are also excellent choices for any visit to the city.
From Cardiff Central, navigating the city is straightforward. The Cardiff Bus Interchange is located directly at Central Square, and taxis are readily available on Saunders Road. For those traveling to the airport, an express coach service operates directly from the station.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.
Family & Friends Railcard£18.92
£28.38
† Railcards offer discounted train tickets, with various types based on age and number of travellers. Enjoy up to 1/3 off for a cheaper journey. The actual price will vary based on factors such as the train service, time, and ticket availability.
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