How much does a train ticket cost from Cardiff to Leeds?

The cheapest train tickets from Cardiff to Leeds start from £51. The average price for this train route is around £121. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from Cardiff to Leeds?

The average train journey time from Cardiff to Leeds is 4h 17m, covering a distance of 174 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 4h 16m and is operated by CrossCountry .

Which train operators serve the Cardiff to Leeds route?

Several major train operators run on this route with 3 trains available per day.

What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Cardiff to Leeds?

The earliest train from Cardiff to Leeds departs at 07:45. And the latest train departs at 18:45.

Train Cardiff to Leeds from £43

Next train departures

Next departures from Cardiff to Leeds on 12 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	09:45	Cardiff Central	4h 16m	14:01	Leeds	Cheapest
Train	08:45	Cardiff Central	4h 16m	13:01	Leeds	Fastest
Train	08:45	Cardiff Central	4h 16m	13:01	Leeds	No tags
Train	09:45	Cardiff Central	4h 16m	14:01	Leeds	No tags
Train	18:45	Cardiff Central	4h 46m	23:31	Leeds	No tags

Next departures from Cardiff to Leeds on 13 December
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
	Train	15:45	Cardiff Central	5h 1m	20:46	Leeds	Cheapest
	Train	16:45	Cardiff Central	4h 57m	21:42	Leeds	Fastest

Next departures from Cardiff to Leeds on 14 December
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
	Train	15:45	Cardiff Central	4h 56m	20:41	Leeds	Cheapest
	Train	15:45	Cardiff Central	4h 56m	20:41	Leeds	Fastest

Next departures from Cardiff to Leeds on 15 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	09:45	Cardiff Central	4h 18m	14:03	Leeds	Cheapest
Train	08:45	Cardiff Central	4h 16m	13:01	Leeds	Fastest
Train	08:45	Cardiff Central	4h 16m	13:01	Leeds	No tags
Train	09:45	Cardiff Central	4h 18m	14:03	Leeds	No tags
Train	18:45	Cardiff Central	4h 54m	23:39	Leeds	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 20:28 GMT.

Compare 3 ways to travel from Cardiff to Leeds

We recommend carpooling

Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as a good way to reach Leeds. The journey takes about 3 hours 40 minutes and with fares starting at just £20, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

1carpool per day

3h 40mAverage duration

174 milesDistance

12kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average price£13 - £68	Average duration8h 25m	CO₂ emissions 7kg CO₂e
Train	Average price£51 - £441	Average duration4h 17m	CO₂ emissions 7kg CO₂e
Carpool	Average price£20 - £25	Average duration3h 40m	CO₂ emissions 12kg CO₂e

Train Companies

CrossCountry

4.5/544 reviews

Staff4.5

Timeliness4.1

Cleanliness4.1

WiFi4.1

Based on 44 reviews, the company was rated 4.3 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the departure location but often complained with the value for money. CrossCountry ticket prices on this trip start at £51

GB train companies: Amtrak, Trenitalia, Renfe, VIA Rail Canada, RegioJet, FlixTrain, Amtrak Acela

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Cardiff to Leeds by train

Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your journey.

How much does a train ticket cost from Cardiff to Leeds?
The cheapest train tickets from Cardiff to Leeds start from £51. The average price for this train route is around £121. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Cardiff to Leeds?
The average train journey time from Cardiff to Leeds is 4h 17m, covering a distance of 174 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 4h 16m and is operated by CrossCountry.
Which train operators serve the Cardiff to Leeds route?
Several major train operators run on this route with 3 trains available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Cardiff to Leeds?
The earliest train from Cardiff to Leeds departs at 07:45. And the latest train departs at 18:45.

Find cheapest prices for trains

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

10/12

£54

11/12

£54

Today

£78

13/12

£88

14/12

£172

15/12

£54

16/12

No data

17/12

£43

The cheapest trip from Cardiff to Leeds was searched and found on 17 Dec 2025 with a price of £43

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Cardiff to Leeds as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from £43 to £426 for a train ticket from Cardiff to Leeds based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at £43, which is on 2025-12-17.