How much does a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Cardiff cost?

The average train ticket price from Manchester to Cardiff is $125. The best way to find cheap train tickets from Manchester to Cardiff is to book your tickets as early as possible. Prices tend to rise as your travel date approaches, so book in advance to secure the best prices!

How long is the trip from Manchester to Cardiff?

A train trip between Manchester and Cardiff is around 3h 30m, although the fastest train will take about 3h 3m. This is the time it takes to travel the 232 km that separates the two cities.

How many daily trains are there between Manchester and Cardiff?

The number of trains from Manchester to Cardiff can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 19. Some trains are direct while others include transferring trains. Simplify your train trip from Manchester to Cardiff by comparing and selecting the train that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

Which train companies travel from Manchester to Cardiff?

When taking the train from Manchester to Cardiff, you can travel comfortably and safely with Transport for Wales, CrossCountry.

Train Manchester to Cardiff from $59

Next train departures

Next departures for Manchester to Cardiff on November 13
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	10:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	9h 20m	7:50am	Heath High Level	Cheapest
Train	4:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 14m	7:44pm	Cardiff Central	Fastest
Train	10:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	2:20pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	3:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	7:20pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	4:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	8:20pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	5:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	9:20pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	6:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 51m	10:21pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	7:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	4h	11:30pm	Heath High Level	No tags

Next departures for Manchester to Cardiff on November 14
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	9:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	8h 13m	5:43am	Heath High Level	Cheapest
Train	8:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 7m	11:37am	Cardiff Central	Fastest
Train	7:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 42m	11:12am	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	8:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 27m	11:57am	Heath Low Level	No tags
Train	9:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 30m	1:00pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	10:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 42m	2:12pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	3:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	7:20pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	4:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	8:20pm	Heath High Level	No tags

Next departures for Manchester to Cardiff on November 15
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	4:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 14m	7:44pm	Cardiff Central	Cheapest
Train	8:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 5m	11:35am	Cardiff Central	Fastest
Train	7:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	11:20am	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	8:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 27m	11:57am	Heath Low Level	No tags
Train	9:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 30m	1:00pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	10:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 30m	2:00pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	3:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	7:20pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	4:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 31m	8:01pm	Heath High Level	No tags

Next departures for Manchester to Cardiff on November 16
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	11:07pm	Manchester Airport	8h 43m	7:50am	Cardiff Central	Cheapest
Train	4:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 13m	7:43pm	Cardiff Central	Fastest
Train	9:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	4h 30m	2:00pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	8:26am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 39m	12:05pm	Cardiff Central	No tags
Train	10:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	4h	2:30pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	8:26am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 39m	12:05pm	Cardiff Central	No tags
Train	11:29am	Manchester Piccadilly	4h 1m	3:30pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	9:27am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 38m	1:05pm	Cardiff Central	No tags

Next departures for Manchester to Cardiff on November 17
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	7:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 44m	11:14pm	Cardiff Central	Cheapest
Train	8:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 7m	11:37am	Cardiff Central	Fastest
Train	7:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	11:20am	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	8:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 27m	11:57am	Heath Low Level	No tags
Train	9:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 30m	1:00pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	10:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	2:20pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	3:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	7:20pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	4:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	8:20pm	Heath High Level	No tags

Next departures for Manchester to Cardiff on November 18
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	9:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	8h 12m	5:42am	Heath High Level	Cheapest
Train	8:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 7m	11:37am	Cardiff Central	Fastest
Train	7:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	11:20am	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	8:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 27m	11:57am	Heath Low Level	No tags
Train	9:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 30m	1:00pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	10:30am	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	2:20pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	3:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	7:20pm	Heath High Level	No tags
Train	4:30pm	Manchester Piccadilly	3h 50m	8:20pm	Heath High Level	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 9:56 AM GMT.

Compare 3 ways to go from Manchester to Cardiff

We recommend carpooling

Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as a good way to reach Cardiff. The journey takes about 3 hours 20 minutes, and with fares starting at just $29, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

1carpool per day

3h 20mAverage Duration

232 kmDistance

10kgCO₂ emissions

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$24 - $145	Average Duration7h 15m	CO₂ emissions 6kg CO₂e
Train	Average Price$63 - $312	Average Duration3h 30m	CO₂ emissions 6kg CO₂e
Carpool	Average Price$29 - $58	Average Duration3h 20m	CO₂ emissions 10kg CO₂e

Train companies

Transport for Wales

3.5/58 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness5

Cleanliness5

Wifi5

CrossCountry

4.5/544 reviews

Staff4.5

Timeliness4.1

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi4.1

GB train and bus companies:Amtrak, Trenitalia, Renfe, VIA Rail Canada, RegioJet, FlixTrain, CrossCountry

Where are the popular train stations and stops in Manchester and Cardiff?

Stops in Manchester

A - Shudehill

Stops in Cardiff

A - Cardiff Central

Frequently asked questions on the trip Manchester - Cardiff

How much does a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Cardiff cost?
The average train ticket price from Manchester to Cardiff is $125. The best way to find cheap train tickets from Manchester to Cardiff is to book your tickets as early as possible. Prices tend to rise as your travel date approaches, so book in advance to secure the best prices!
How long is the trip from Manchester to Cardiff?
A train trip between Manchester and Cardiff is around 3h 30m, although the fastest train will take about 3h 3m. This is the time it takes to travel the 232 km that separates the two cities.
How many daily trains are there between Manchester and Cardiff?
The number of trains from Manchester to Cardiff can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 19. Some trains are direct while others include transferring trains. Simplify your train trip from Manchester to Cardiff by comparing and selecting the train that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.
Which train companies travel from Manchester to Cardiff?
When taking the train from Manchester to Cardiff, you can travel comfortably and safely with Transport for Wales, CrossCountry.

Find cheapest prices for trains

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

11-11

$194

11-12

$194

Today

$107

11-14

$107

11-15

$118

11-16

$110

11-17

$106

11-18

$94

The cheapest trip from Manchester to Cardiff was searched and found on Nov 18, 2025 with a price of $94

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Manchester to Cardiff, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $94 to $293 for a train ticket from Manchester to Cardiff based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $94 which is on 2025-11-18.