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Trip Summary
You can pick from 21 daily train trips between Cardiff and Wakefield. The average train journey from Cardiff to Wakefield takes 5 hours and 33 minutes, but some Great Western Railway + Connections train trips are as short as 3 hours and 50 minutes.
| Distance | 168 mi (270 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 50m |
| Lowest price | $70.84 |
| Most frequent service | CrossCountry + Connections |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Cardiff to Wakefield?
There are 4 train lines with service from Cardiff to Wakefield. CrossCountry + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 8 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arriva Trains Wales + Connections | 3 | 9h 59m | $209.05 |
| CrossCountry | 2 | 6h 30m | $151.68 |
| CrossCountry + Connections | 8 | 4h 37m | $175.36 |
| Great Western Railway + Connections | 7 | 4h 15m | $205.68 |
Arriva Trains Wales + Connections train tickets from Cardiff to Wakefield start from $71, and on average cost . Daily there are 3 Arriva Trains Wales + Connections schedules to Wakefield. Arriva Trains Wales + Connections in Cardiff leaves from Cardiff Central . And in Wakefield trains arrive at Sandal & Agbrigg and one other train station.
From Cardiff to Wakefield train travel on Arriva Trains Wales + Connections takes 9 hours and 59 minutes. If you are looking to get to Wakefield faster, Arriva Trains Wales + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 50 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Arriva Trains Wales + Connections offers 3 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Wakefield.
CrossCountry operates an extensive rail network in the U.K., centered in Birmingham. In standard class, passengers enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, power outlets, and onboard restrooms. Trains also contain a small café or a trolley that passes through the carriages. An upgrade to first-class gives passengers more legroom and complimentary food. The journey from Cardiff to Wakefield usually takes about 6 hours and 30 minutes on a CrossCountry train. There are 2 trips on this route every day, and 2 daily trips on weekends.
CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Cardiff to Wakefield start from $88, and on average cost . Daily there are 8 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Wakefield. CrossCountry + Connections in Cardiff leaves from Cardiff Central . And in Wakefield trains arrive at Sandal & Agbrigg and 2 other train stations.
From Cardiff to Wakefield train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 4 hours and 37 minutes. If you are looking to get to Wakefield faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 50 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, CrossCountry + Connections offers 8 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Wakefield.
Great Western Railway + Connections train tickets from Cardiff to Wakefield start from $110, and on average cost . Daily there are 7 Great Western Railway + Connections schedules to Wakefield. Great Western Railway + Connections in Cardiff leaves from Cardiff Central . And in Wakefield trains arrive at Wakefield Westgate and 2 other train stations.
From Cardiff to Wakefield train travel on Great Western Railway + Connections takes 4 hours and 15 minutes. If you are looking to get to Wakefield faster, Great Western Railway + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 50 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Great Western Railway + Connections offers 7 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Wakefield.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Cardiff and Wakefield is approximately 168 miles, or 270 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 33 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 50 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Trains from Cardiff to Wakefield are the most crowded on Sunday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Cardiff at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 21 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Wakefield to Cardiff.
City Information
Cardiff
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Cardiff is the capital of Wales, as well as its largest city. Although the city was initially founded as a Roman fort, Cardiff has glided effortlessly into the 21st century, offering tourists a diverse mix of old and new.
Looking to explore the city's history? Cardiff Castle at the heart of the city makes for an exciting day out, where visitors can learn about the fascinating 2,000 years of history that the castle represents.
If the castle gets you in the mood to explore more history, the St Fagans National Museum of History will surely satisfy your historical appetite. As one of Europe's leading open-air museums, the museum offers historical attractions that detail history back to the Celtic era.
For those seeking a more modern experience, Cardiff boasts a fantastic selection of shops and cafes, with Cardiff Central Market as the top choice for retail therapy.
Cardiff has excellent transport links, making it an easy place to visit no matter where you're coming from. Cardiff Airport provides access for visitors traveling from off the island, while high-speed rail services make access to and from London simple. Cardiff Central Station also offers direct routes from Bristol, Bath, Manchester, Nottingham, as well as other main cities and towns.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Cardiff?
Image credit: Hugh Llewelyn
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Cardiff Central
Cardiff Central Station is the largest and busiest rail terminal in Wales and one of two primary train stations in Cardiff. A registered historic building, it first opened in 1850 but is known for its art deco concourse and north entrance, both added in the 1930s. Most facilities are in the main concourse, including ATMs, food outlets, and a newsagent. Transport for Wales operates services to south, central, and north Wales, while Cross Country runs hourly services to Gloucester, Birmingham, and Derby. Great Western operates the route to London Paddington via Bristol Parkway.
All train stations in Cardiff:
Cardiff Central
Where is the train station in Wakefield?
Main arrival station: Wakefield Kirkgate
There are more train stations and stops in Wakefield than most cities. Most trains from Cardiff will stop at one (or more) of the 3 following stations in Wakefield:
Train stations in Wakefield:
Wakefield Kirkgate
Wakefield Westgate
Sandal & Agbrigg
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Need a return trip from Wakefield to Cardiff?
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