Next bus departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bus | Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN) | Cardiff University (o/s Cathays Rail Stn) | Cheapest | ||||
 | Bus | Manchester (Moss Lane East) | Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens) | Fastest | ||||
| Bus | Manchester Airport | Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens) | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN) | Cardiff University (o/s Cathays Rail Stn) | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Manchester Airport | Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens) | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Today at 1:22 AM GMT.
Compare 3 ways to go from Manchester to Cardiff
Among the sustainable travel choices, the Carpool stands out as a good way to reach Cardiff. The journey takes about 3 hours 40 minutes and with fares starting at just $45, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular stops in Manchester and Cardiff?
Stops in Manchester
- A16 Chorlton St, Manchester M1 3HW, UK
- BShudehill Interchange, Stand G, Manchester M60
- D
56 Great Bridgewater St
56 Great Bridgewater St, Manchester M1 5LE, UK - E
City of Manchester Stadium
Citylink, Manchester M40 7EP, UK - F
Manchester Coach Station
Manchester Coach Station, Chorlton St., , Manchester M1 3JF, United Kingdom
Stops in Cardiff
- A
Cardiff University (o/s Cathays Rail Stn)
50 Park Place (Bus Stop, o/s Cathays Rail Stn), Cardiff CF10 - B2 Sophia Cl, Cardiff CF11, UK
- C
Cardiff Coach Station - Sophia Gardens
22 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff CF11 9LJ, UK - D
Cardiff - Castle Street Bus Stop
21A Castle St, Cardiff CF10 1BT, UK - E
National Museum
Gorsedd Gardens Rd, Cardiff CF10 3NP, UK - F
Cardiff Bus Stop - Westgate
206 Westgate St, Cardiff CF10, UK
Compare bus companies
Frequently asked questions about traveling from Manchester to Cardiff by bus
Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.
How much is the bus ticket from Manchester to Cardiff?
The cheapest bus tickets from Manchester to Cardiff start from $17. The average price for this route is around $25. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus ride from Manchester to Cardiff?
The average bus trip duration from Manchester to Cardiff is 7h 45m, covering a distance of 142 miles (229 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 5h and is operated by National Express.
Which bus companies service the Manchester to Cardiff route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 15 buses available per day, including services from FlixBus, National Express, Megabus UK.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Manchester to Cardiff?
The earliest bus departs from Manchester to Cardiff at 12:45am. And the latest bus departs at 11:59pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Manchester to Cardiff?
A bus trip from Manchester to Cardiff generates an estimated 6 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and recommended mode of travel by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from Manchester to Cardiff?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is National Express, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 29872 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Manchester to Cardiff?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company National Express has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.4.
Which bus company has the most timely service from Manchester to Cardiff?
According to Busbud traveler reviews, the most timely bus company on this route is National Express, with a punctuality rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Manchester to Cardiff?
According to Busbud traveler reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is National Express, with a cleanliness rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Manchester to Cardiff was searched and found on Feb 18, 2026 with a price of $22To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Manchester to Cardiff, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $22 to $76 for a bus ticket from Manchester to Cardiff based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $22 which is on 2026-02-18.
What's the cheapest way to go from Manchester to Cardiff?
The Bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destinationTop traveled bus routes
People from around the world trust Busbud
Popular bus departures from Manchester
- Find bus tickets from Manchester to Liverpool
- Manchester to Glasgow bus times and fares
- How to travel from Manchester to Newcastle upon Tyne
- Find bus tickets from Manchester to London
- Manchester to Leeds bus times and fares
- How to travel from Manchester to Birmingham
- Find bus tickets from Manchester to Edinburgh