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Journey Information
There are 18 intercity coaches per day from Birmingham to Cardiff. Traveling by coach from Birmingham to Cardiff usually takes around 5 hours and 15 minutes, but the fastest National Express coach can make the trip in 2 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 88 mi (142 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 25m |
| Cheapest price | £3.44 |
| Trips per day | 9 |
| Most frequent service | Megabus |
| Coach lines | 3 |
Coaches from Birmingham to Cardiff
- FlixBus: 5 daily coaches from £3
- Megabus: 8 daily coaches from £6
- National Express: 7 daily coaches from £8
How much is a coach ticket from Birmingham to Cardiff?
£13.27 is the average price of a bus ticket from Birmingham to Cardiff. This is currently one of the best deals in bus travel. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
Monthly average prices
What coach companies travel from Birmingham to Cardiff?
There are 3 bus lines from Birmingham to Cardiff available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 8 daily trips, Megabus usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 5 | 9h 21m | £21.87 |
| Megabus | 8 | 4h 19m | £14.64 |
| National Express | 7 | 2h 49m | £15.12 |
First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 5 trips from Birmingham to Cardiff, and usually makes the trip in about 9 hours and 21 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Founded in 2003, Megabus UK was created to provide travelers with greener, more straightforward and smarter travel. The carrier has routes all across the United Kingdom in England, Scotland, and Wales. The Megabus UK fleet, easily distinguishable by its dark blue and yellow colors, has free Wi-Fi, outlets and charging ports, onboard restrooms, and 20 kg luggage allowances on each bus.
National Express is probably the UK's best-known bus company, offering intercity services to London, Manchester, Southampton, and Edinburgh. Onboard the single and double-decker vehicles, travelers enjoy a good amount of legroom – roomier than airlines have in coach class – alongside WiFi, restrooms, and air conditioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The coach takes an average of 5 hours and 15 minutes to cover the 88 miles from Birmingham to Cardiff. However, the fastest coach only takes 2 hours and 25 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual coach may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when coaches are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.
The first coach leaves at 03:00 and the last coach leaves at 19:00. To see the times for all coaches from Birmingham to Cardiff, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 18 scheduled coaches that travel from Birmingham to Cardiff every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 9 direct coaches, where you can stay on the same coach without having to transfer to a connecting coach at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Birmingham to Cardiff; ticket prices start at £22.42.
City Information
Birmingham
As the second-largest city in the UK, Birmingham effortlessly blends the city’s quaint vibe with modern-day high-rises. One of the top local attractions is St. Martin in the Bull Ring, the original parish church of Birmingham. Featuring remarkable Gothic Revival architecture standing in stark contrast with the futuristic-looking shopping centers, the church is a great spot for travelers looking for a bit of respite. As you stroll around the city, don’t forget to visit the famous Cadbury World, which details the long history of the brand, as well as all the products it produces. For culturally-inclined activities, head to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, which offers over 40 exhibits.
If you wish to try out authentic Indian dishes with a local twist, head over to Pushkar. For those who wish to enjoy a more upscale dining experience, Bank offers a chic menu in an elegant setting.
The principal rail station is Birmingham New Street Station, which is the busiest train station in the UK. The Birmingham Coach Station offers coach services by National Express as far as London and Dublin. The city’s main airport is the Birmingham Airport, which is located 6 miles east of the city center.
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 does the coach leave from in Birmingham?
Main departure station: Brunel St
Coaches to Cardiff leave from 3 stations in Birmingham.
All coach stations in Birmingham:
Brunel St
Coach Station
Birmingham Summer Row- Great Charles Street
Where does the coach arrive in Cardiff?
Main arrival station: Cardiff University
Coaches arrive in Cardiff at 4 stations, depending on which coach line you are traveling with.
Coach stations in Cardiff:
Cardiff University
Cardiff Royal Welsh College of Music
2 Sophia Cl
North Rd 330
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Continue by coach from Cardiff
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