Edinburgh to Cardiff Train

18/11/2024
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Edinburgh to Cardiff by train

The journey from Edinburgh to Cardiff by train is 497.83 km and takes 7 hrs 6 mins. There are 14 connections per day, with the first departure at 05:48 and the last at 18:52. It is possible to travel from Edinburgh to Cardiff by train for as little as €127.67 or as much as €309.94. The best price for this journey is €127.67.

Lowest Price €127.67
Journey Duration 7 hrs 6 mins
Connection per Day 14
Lowest Price €127.67
Highest Price €309.94
First Departure 05:48
Last Departure 18:52
Distance 497.83 km
Departure Edinburgh
Arrival Cardiff
Carriers London North Eastern Railway, Avanti West Coast

Edinburgh to Cardiff Train Times

Departure date
Monday 18 Nov 2024

Compare prices and tickets from Edinburgh to Cardiff

Cheap train tickets from Edinburgh to Cardiff
Looking for the best deal on a train ticket for your trip? Here are 4 ways to get cheap train tickets from Edinburgh to Cardiff.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Edinburgh to Cardiff, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Edinburgh to Cardiff.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

Best time to book Edinburgh to Cardiff travel

Virail Pro Tip ✌: Booking 10 days in advance save 10% on average

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Edinburgh to Cardiff

The cheapest Edinburgh - Cardiff train tickets can be found for as low as €112.52 if you’re lucky, or €186.15 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as €260.78.

Find the best day to travel to Cardiff by train

When travelling to Cardiff by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Carriers on this route

Find out more about the carriers on this route.

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is a train operating company in the United Kingdom that operates intercity services on the "East Coast Main Line" between London, Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland. It was formed in 2018 as a result of the UK government's decision to terminate the franchise of Virgin Trains East Coast. LNER is owned by the Department for Transport and managed by the operator of the East Coast Partnership, a joint venture between infrastructure company Network Rail and train operator FirstGroup. LNER operates a fleet of electric and diesel trains, including the Azuma, which is the fastest train in the UK.

Northern is a train operating company that provides passenger services across the north of England. Northern is owned by Northern Trains Ltd, a division of "DOHL," the public sector holding company for the Department of Transportation. It is owned by Arriva UK Trains and operates over 2,500 services every weekday, serving cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle.

TransPennine Express is a train operating company in the United Kingdom that provides intercity train services across the North of England and Scotland. The company operates services between major cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Transpennine Express offers a range of ticket options, including advance purchase tickets, out-of-season tickets, and flexible tickets. The company also provides onboard facilities such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and refreshments.

The Welsh Government owns the non-profit organization Transport for Wales. It is responsible for the procurement and management of passenger rail services in Wales, as well as the development of the Welsh rail network. The company was established in 2018, taking over from Arriva Trains Wales, and operates services across Wales and the Borders. Transport for Wales is a great choice for your journeys within Wales, such as Cardiff to Aberdare or Newport to Swansea, or for your trips in England, like Manchester to Chester or Birmingham to Shrewsbury, and even for your travel between England and Wales.

Services on board London North Eastern Railway, Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales from Edinburgh to Cardiff
Compare services on board when travelling from Edinburgh to Cardiff by train.
Facilities London North Eastern Railway Avanti West Coast Transport for Wales Northern Rail Great Western Railway
quiet_zone Quiet zone check check check check check
wifi WiFi check check check check check
power_sockets Power sockets check check check check check
luggage Luggage check cross check check check
food_and_drink Food and drink check check check check check

Edinburgh to Cardiff CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology
Train
34.85kg
Bus
37.34kg
Flight
99.57kg
Car
79.65kg
What are the CO2 emissions from Edinburgh to Cardiff by train? The CO2 emissions from taking the train between Edinburgh and Cardiff are 34.85kg.
How much CO2 do I save by taking the train between Edinburgh and Cardiff? By taking the train between Edinburgh and Cardiff you will save 64.72kg CO2 emissions compared to a flight, 2.49kg compared to a bus and 44.8kg compared to a car.

Anything we can improve?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a train ticket from Edinburgh to Cardiff?
A train ticket from Edinburgh to Cardiff is €255.72. However the price varies depending on how early you buy, and if it's peak time to travel. Occasionally you can find them for as cheap as €127.67.
What's the cheapest train ticket from Edinburgh to Cardiff?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Edinburgh to Cardiff is €127.67. We recommend booking as early as possible and off-peak hours to get the cheapest ticket possible. Off-peak times are usually from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00.
What's the distance between Edinburgh and Cardiff by train?
Edinburgh to Cardiff is 497.83 km.
How long does the train between Edinburgh and Cardiff take?
Edinburgh to Cardiff is on average 7 hrs 6 mins. However the fastest option will get you there in 5 hrs 53 mins.
Which companies operate from Edinburgh to Cardiff?
The train journey from Edinburgh to Cardiff is covered by 6 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: London North Eastern Railway, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Transport for Wales, TransPennine Express, Northern Rail and Great Western Railway.
How many train connections per day go from Edinburgh to Cardiff?
Edinburgh to Cardiff has 14 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first train from Edinburgh to Cardiff leave?
The earliest train from Edinburgh to Cardiff departs at 05:48. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What time does the last train from Edinburgh to Cardiff depart?
The latest train from Edinburgh to Cardiff departs at 18:52. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
Should I book my ticket from Edinburgh to Cardiff in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest train ticket we have found is €127.67 but this may be subject to change depending on the day of travel, hour you wish to depart and how far in advance you book.
What's the fastest journey time between Edinburgh to Cardiff by train?
The fastest journey time by train between Edinburgh and Cardiff is 5 hrs 53 mins.
Is there a direct train from Edinburgh to Cardiff?
Yes, there is a direct train between Edinburgh and Cardiff.
What are the CO2 emissions for Edinburgh to Cardiff by train?
The train journey from Edinburgh to Cardiff creates 34.85kg of CO2 emissions.

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