There are 5 ways to get from Manchester to Cardiff by train, bus, 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.
Train
best- Take the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Centraltrain Manchester Piccadilly - Cardiff Central / ...
3h 12m£65–120Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Manchester Central Coach Station to Birmingham Coach Stationbus 120 / ...
- Take the bus from Birmingham Coach Station to University REbus 111
5h 50m£37–90Drive 171.2 mi
- Drive from Manchester to Cardiffcar 171.2 mi
3h 52m£43–62Fly, train
- Fly from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Bristol Airport (BRS)plane MAN - BRS
- Take the train from Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Centraltrain
5h 52m£62–185Train via Birmingham
- Take the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Birmingham New Streettrain Manchester Piccadilly - Bournemouth / ...
- Take the train from Birmingham New Street to Cardiff Centraltrain Nottingham - Cardiff Central / ...
4h 15m£85–146
Manchester to Cardiff by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Manchester to Cardiff is to bus which costs £35 - £90 and takes 5h 50m.
The fastest way to get from Manchester to Cardiff is to train which takes 3h 12m and costs £65 - £120.
No, there is no direct bus from Manchester station to Cardiff. However, there are services departing from Manchester Central Coach Station and arriving at University RE via Birmingham Coach Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 50m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Manchester Piccadilly and arriving at Cardiff Central. Services depart hourly, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 3h 12m.
The distance between Manchester and Cardiff is 170 miles. The road distance is 172.2 miles.
The best way to get from Manchester to Cardiff without a car is to train which takes 3h 12m and costs £65 - £120.
The train from Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central takes 3h 12m including transfers and departs hourly.
Manchester to Cardiff bus services, operated by National Express, depart from Manchester Central Coach Station.
Manchester to Cardiff train services, operated by Transport for Wales, depart from Manchester Piccadilly station.
The best way to get from Manchester to Cardiff is to train which takes 3h 12m and costs £65 - £120. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs £35 - £90 and takes 5h 50m.
What companies run services between Manchester, England and Cardiff, Wales?
Transport for Wales operates a train from Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central hourly. Tickets cost £65–120 and the journey takes 3h 12m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Manchester Central Coach Station to University RE via Birmingham Coach Station in around 5h 50m.
- Website
- easyjet.com
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bristol Airport via Belfast (Aldergrove)
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 35m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- £100–160
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bristol Airport via Isle Of Man
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 50m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- £100–160
- Website
- ryanair.com
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bristol Airport via Dublin
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 16m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- £40–100
- Website
- aerlingus.com
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bristol Airport via Dublin
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 25m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- £35–160
- Phone
- 03333 211 202
- Website
- tfw.wales
Train from Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 12m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £65–120
- Website
- https://tfw.wales/
- Phone
- +44 3457 000 125
- gwr.feedback@gwr.com
- Website
- gwr.com
Train from Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Central
- Ave. Duration
- 54 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £16–35
- Website
- https://www.gwr.com/
Train from Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Central
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 1m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- £20–29
- Website
- https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/
Train from Manchester Piccadilly to Birmingham New Street
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 32m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £40–65
- Website
- https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/
Train from Birmingham New Street to Cardiff Central
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £55–85
- Website
- https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/
_(2).jpg "Train Exterior")
- Phone
- +44 345 528 0253
- Website
- avantiwestcoast.co.uk
Train from Manchester Piccadilly to Birmingham New Street
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 34m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- £29–50
- Website
- https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
- Phone
- 08717 81 81 81
- Website
- nationalexpress.com
Bus from Manchester Central Coach Station to Birmingham Coach Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £16–40
- Website
- https://www.nationalexpress.com/en
Bus from Birmingham Coach Station to University RE
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- £20–50
- Website
- https://www.nationalexpress.com/en
.jpg "Bus Exterior")
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More Questions & Answers
Manchester to Cardiff bus services, operated by National Express, arrive at Birmingham Coach Station.
Manchester to Cardiff train services, operated by Transport for Wales, arrive at Cardiff Central station.
Yes, the driving distance between Manchester to Cardiff is 172 miles. It takes approximately 3h 52m to drive from Manchester to Cardiff.
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