Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Cairnryan

See all options

There are 10 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, bus

    best
    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Crewetrain train
    2. Take the train from Crewe to Carlisletrain train
    3. Take the train from Carlisle to Dumfriestrain train
    4. Take the bus from Dumfries station to Port Rodiebus bus 500
    11h 6m

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Park Place to Bus Stationbus bus 216 / ...
    2. Take the bus from Bristol Bus Station to Birmingham - Jennens Roadbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Millennium Point to Buchanan Bus Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminalbus bus 923
    14h 35m
    £51–85

  3. Train, car ferry

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Chestertrain train
    2. Take the carferry from Liverpool to Belfastcarferry car ferry
    3. Take the carferry from Belfast to Cairnryancarferry car ferry
    16h 24m
    £114–236

  4. Drive  379.1 mi

    1. Drive from Cardiff to Cairnryancar car 379.1 mi
    7h 18m
    £94–136

  5. Train

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Glasgow Centraltrain train
    2. Take the train from Glasgow Central to Ayrtrain train
    3. Take the train from Ayr to Stranraertrain train
    13h 26m
    £260–391

  6. Train to Bristol Airport, fly to Edinburgh Airport, bus

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain train
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Edinburgh Airport (EDI)plane plane BRS - EDI
    3. Take the bus from Terminal to Buchanan Bus Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminalbus bus
    8h 7m
    £56–155

  7. Train to Bristol Airport, fly to Belfast International Airport, car ferry

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain train
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Belfast International Airport (BFS)plane plane BRS - BFS
    3. Take the carferry from Larne to Cairnryancarferry car ferry
    8h 48m
    £90–394

  8. Train to Bristol Airport, fly to Glasgow Airport, train, bus

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain train
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Glasgow Airport (GLA)plane plane BRS - GLA
    3. Take the train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayrtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pierbus bus
    8h 33m
    £78–183

  9. Train to Birmingham Airport, fly to Glasgow Airport, train, bus

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Streettrain train
    2. Fly from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Glasgow Airport (GLA)plane plane BHX - GLA
    3. Take the train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayrtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pierbus bus
    9h 16m
    £110–214

  10. Train to Bristol Airport, fly to Newcastle, train, Bus

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain train
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Newcastle (NCL)plane plane BRS - NCL
    3. Take the train from Newcastle to Edinburgh Waverleytrain train
    4. Take the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Streettrain train
    5. Take the bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminalbus bus
    10h 10m
    £85–235

Bristol Airport (BRS) to Edinburgh Airport (EDI) flights

Calendar28Weekly Planes
Duration1h 44mAverage Duration
Ticket£30Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Cardiff to Cairnryan.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 395.1 mi
  • Duration: 11h 6m

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

You can take a bus from Park Place to Cairnryan Stena Terminal via Bristol Bus Station, Millennium Point, Buchanan Bus Station, and Glasgow Buchanan in around 14h 35m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Cardiff Central to Old Pier via Glasgow Central, Ayr, Stranraer, and Port Rodie Ferry Terminal in around 13h 26m.

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

Booking & Getting There