Rome2Rio

How to get fromCardiff to Cairnryanby train, bus, car ferry, car or plane

Find Transport to Cairnryan

See all options

There are 11 ways to get from Cardiff to Cairnryan by train, bus, car ferry, car, or plane

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Train

    best
    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Crewetrain
    2. Take the train from Crewe to Glasgow Centraltrain
    3. Take the train from Glasgow Central to Girvantrain
    11h 31m
    £77–240
  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Kingsway GD to Buchanan Bus StationbusM19
    2. Take the bus from Buchanan Bus Station to Port Rodiebus923
    14h 23m
    £43–62
  3. Train, car ferry

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Chestertrain
    2. Take the car ferry from Liverpool to Belfastcarferry
    3. Take the car ferry from Belfast to Cairnryancarferry
    16h 32m
    £120–347
  4. Drive 379.1 mi

    1. Drive from Cardiff to Cairnryancar379.1 mi
    7h 16m
    £96–138
  5. Train via Carlisle

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Crewetrain
    2. Take the train from Crewe to Carlisletrain
    3. Take the train from Carlisle to Kilmarnocktrain
    4. Take the train from Kilmarnock to Stranraertrain
    11h 48m
    £95–234
  6. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Parkwaytrain
    2. Take the train from Bristol Parkway to Glasgow Centraltrain
    3. Take the train from Glasgow Central to Mayboletrain
    4. Take the bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pierbus358 / ...
    14h 3m
    £222–714
  7. Train to Bristol Airport, fly to Edinburgh Airport, bus

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Edinburgh Airport (EDI)planeBRS - EDI
    3. Take the bus from Airport to Buchanan Bus Stationbus
    4. Take the bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminalbus
    7h 53m
  8. Fly Cardiff Airport to Edinburgh Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Edinburgh Airport (EDI)planeCWL - EDI
    2. Take the bus from Airport to Buchanan Bus Stationbus
    3. Take the bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminalbus
    8h 2m
  9. Train to Bristol Airport, fly to Glasgow Airport, train, line 358 bus

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Glasgow Airport (GLA)planeBRS - GLA
    3. Take the train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayrtrain
    4. Take the train from Ayr to Girvantrain
    5. Take the bus from Elder Avenue to Old Pierbus
    8h 24m
    £70–159
  10. Train to Birmingham Airport, fly to Glasgow Airport, train

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Streettrain
    2. Fly from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Glasgow Airport (GLA)planeBHX - GLA
    3. Take the train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayrtrain
    9h 17m
    £86–222
  11. Train to Bristol Airport, fly to Newcastle, train, Bus

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Newcastle (NCL)planeBRS - NCL
    3. Take the train from Newcastle to Edinburgh Waverleytrain
    4. Take the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Streettrain
    5. Take the bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminalbus
    9h 58m

Cardiff to Cairnryan by train and bus

Calendar6Weekly Services
Duration11h 31mAverage Duration
Ticket£77Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Cardiff, Wales and Cairnryan, Scotland?

You can take a train from Cardiff Central to Old Pier via Crewe, Glasgow Central, Girvan, Rail Station, and Elder Avenue in around 11h 31m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Kingsway GD to Old Pier via Buchanan Bus Station, Port Rodie, and Port Rodie Ferry Terminal in around 14h 23m.

Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

Want to know more about travelling around United Kingdom

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

More Questions & Answers