There are 4 ways to get from Manchester to Cardiff by train, 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£45–110Train via Birmingham
cheapest- 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 14m£30–151Drive 171.2 mi
- Drive from Manchester to Cardiffcar 171.2 mi
3h 52m£43–61Fly, train
- Fly from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Bristol Airport (BRS)plane MAN - BRS
- Take the train from Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Centraltrain
5h 47m£54–162
Manchester to Cardiff by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Manchester to Cardiff is to drive which costs £40 - £65 and takes 3h 52m.
The fastest way to get from Manchester to Cardiff is to train which takes 3h 12m and costs £45 - £110.
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 £45 - £110.
The train from Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central takes 3h 12m including transfers and departs hourly.
Manchester to Cardiff train services, operated by Transport for Wales, depart from Manchester Piccadilly 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.
Book your Manchester to Cardiff train tickets online with Omio.
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 £45–110 and the journey takes 3h 12m.
- Website
- easyjet.com
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bristol Airport via Belfast (Aldergrove)
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 35m
- When
- Wednesday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- £50–170
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bristol Airport via Belfast City
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 15m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- £50–170
- Website
- ryanair.com
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bristol Airport via Dublin
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- When
- Monday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- £45–130
- Website
- aerlingus.com
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bristol Airport via Dublin
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 7m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- 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
- £45–110
- 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
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- £18–24
- Website
- https://www.gwr.com/
Train from Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Central
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 1m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- £7–26
- Website
- https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/
Train from Manchester Piccadilly to Birmingham New Street
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 32m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £10–55
- Website
- https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/
Train from Birmingham New Street to Cardiff Central
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £19–90
- Website
- https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/
- 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
- £50–65
- Website
- https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
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