There are 4 ways to get from Manchester to Cardiff Bay 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£65–95Drive 172 mi
cheapest- Drive from Manchester to Cardiff Baycar 172 mi
3h 53m£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
6h 4m£73–201Train 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 31m£83–246
Manchester to Cardiff Bay by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Manchester to Cardiff Bay is to drive which costs £40 - £65 and takes 3h 53m.
The fastest way to get from Manchester to Cardiff Bay is to train which takes 3h 12m and costs £65 - £95.
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 Bay is 170 miles. The road distance is 173 miles.
The best way to get from Manchester to Cardiff Bay without a car is to train which takes 3h 12m and costs £65 - £95.
The train from Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central takes 3h 12m including transfers and departs hourly.
Manchester to Cardiff Bay train services, operated by Transport for Wales, depart from Manchester Piccadilly station.
Manchester to Cardiff Bay train services, operated by Transport for Wales, arrive at Cardiff Central station.
Yes, the driving distance between Manchester to Cardiff Bay is 173 miles. It takes approximately 3h 53m to drive from Manchester to Cardiff Bay.
Book your Manchester to Cardiff Bay train tickets online with Omio.
What companies run services between Manchester, England and Cardiff Bay, Wales?
Transport for Wales operates a train from Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central hourly. Tickets cost £65–95 and the journey takes 3h 12m.
- Website
- easyjet.com
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bristol Airport via Belfast (Aldergrove)
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 37m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- £110–170
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bristol Airport via Belfast City
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 15m
- When
- Monday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- £110–170
- Website
- ryanair.com
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bristol Airport via Dublin
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 43m
- When
- Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- £40–80
- 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
- £65–95
- Website
- https://tfw.wales/
- Anytime Day Single
- £65–95
- 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
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £22–45
- Website
- https://www.gwr.com/
- Anytime Day Single
- £22–27
- Anytime Day Single 1st Class
- £29–45
Train from Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Central
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 1m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- £26–50
- Website
- https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/
- Standard
- £26–40
- 1st Class
- £35–50
Train from Manchester Piccadilly to Birmingham New Street
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 32m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £40–110
- Website
- https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/
- Standard
- £40–65
- 1st Class
- £75–110
Train from Birmingham New Street to Cardiff Central
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £50–140
- Website
- https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/
- Standard
- £50–80
- 1st Class
- £100–140
- 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
- £30–100
- Website
- https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
- Anytime Single
- £30–45
- Anytime Single 1st Class
- £70–100
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