Cardiff Castle in Wales, a medieval stone building on top of a grassy hill with grey sky in the background

London to Cardiff Train Tickets

Book Cheap Train Tickets From London to Cardiff

Cardiff is a city well worth visiting if you are taking a trip to the UK. The travel time to the Welsh Capital is under 2 hours from London Paddington Station, with Great Western Railway operating direct services to Cardiff Central Station. The first train from London Paddington to Cardiff Central leaves at 04:23, with the last train at 22:49. If you need to reach the other train stations in Cardiff of Cardiff Bay and Cardiff Queen Street, Transport for Wales runs regular services to these from Cardiff Central.

Cardiff is a city bursting with culture, whether museums, historical buildings, or theatres. There are plenty of places worth visiting on the doorstep of Cardiff Central Station, whether it be St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff Castle, or Wales Millennium Centre.

Search for ticket prices for your journeys and find further Cardiff train information using our booking engine. You can generally find the cheapest fares for your train journey by booking in advance. If you split your ticket by booking with us, you can save up to 90%.

Travelling From Brighton to London by Train

Departure Station

Paddington


Arrival Station

Cardiff Central


Distance

131 Miles / 211 Kilometres


First Train

04:23


Last Train

22:49


Fastest Journey Time

1 Hour 45 Mins


Avg. Journey Time

2 Hours 6 Mins


Frequency

60 Trains per day


Operators

GWR


London to Cardiff Train Routes

Trains from London to Cardiff Central take an average of 2 Hours 6 Mins, but you still might want to stop at another destination on your route when you take your train from London. The journey from London to Cardiff Central runs along the Great Western Main Line and then follows the Swindon to Swansea Line on its way to arrive in Cardiff. You may want to take popular routes to the beautiful destinations of Bath or Bristol, which are also on the Great Western Main Line route.

Train Companies

Great Western Railway

The GWR train company runs every direct journey from London to Cardiff. You can choose to sit in standard class or in first class, which offers complimentary food, power sockets, and more comfortable seating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a direct train from London to Cardiff?

GWR operates a direct train from London to Cardiff. It travels along the West Coast Main Line and then follows the Swindon to Swansea Line.

How long does it take to travel from London to Cardiff?

On average, a trip from London to Cardiff takes 2 Hours 6 Minutes, but some trains take just 1 Hour 45 Minutes.

What are the London to Cardiff train times and schedule?

Typically, the schedule of train times between London and Cardiff is two services per hour, with each train having slightly different calling points.

How much is the train ticket from London to Cardiff?

The cost of a train fare from London to Cardiff can vary. To get cheaper tickets, it is best to travel at off-peak times, including weekends, or to book in advance.

trustpilot reviews