Next train departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Train | Manchester Piccadilly | Cardiff Central | Cheapest | ||||
| Train | Manchester Piccadilly | Cardiff Central | Fastest | ||||
| Train | Manchester Piccadilly | Heath High Level | No tags | ||||
| Train | Manchester Piccadilly | Heath Low Level | No tags | ||||
| Train | Manchester Piccadilly | Heath High Level | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Today at 13:31 GMT.
Compare 3 ways to travel from Manchester to Cardiff
Among the sustainable travel choices, the Carpool stands out as a good way to reach Cardiff. The journey takes about 3 hours and with fares starting at just £20, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular train stations and stops in Manchester and Cardiff?
Train Companies
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Manchester to Cardiff 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 Manchester to Cardiff?
The cheapest train tickets from Manchester to Cardiff start from £33. The average price for this train route is around £67. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Manchester to Cardiff?
The average train journey time from Manchester to Cardiff is 3h 30m, covering a distance of 144 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 3h 6m and is operated by Transport for Wales.
Which train operators serve the Manchester to Cardiff route?
Several major train operators run on this route with 15 trains available per day, including services from Transport for Wales, CrossCountry.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Manchester to Cardiff?
The earliest train from Manchester to Cardiff departs at 07:30. And the latest train departs at 23:42.
Which is the best train operator from Manchester to Cardiff?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated train operator on this route is CrossCountry, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars based on 46 reviews.
Which train operator has the best Wi-Fi from Manchester to Cardiff?
According to reviews on Busbud, the train operator Transport for Wales has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 5.0.
Which train operator has the most punctual service from Manchester to Cardiff?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual train operator on this route is Transport for Wales, with a punctuality rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.
Which train operator has the cleanest trains from Manchester to Cardiff?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the train operator with the cleanest trains on this route is Transport for Wales, with a cleanliness rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.
Find cheapest prices for trains
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Manchester to Cardiff was searched and found on 28 Jan 2026 with a price of £38To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Manchester to Cardiff as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from £38 to £168 for a train ticket from Manchester to Cardiff based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at £38, which is on 2026-01-28.
Top Travelled Train Routes
People from around the world trust Busbud
Popular train departures from Manchester
- Find train tickets from Manchester to Liverpool
- Manchester to London train times and fares
- How to travel from Manchester to Birmingham
- Find train tickets from Manchester to Glasgow
- Manchester to Edinburgh train times and fares
- How to travel from Manchester to Leeds
- Find train tickets from Manchester to Newcastle upon Tyne