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Journey Information
There are 10 intercity coaches per day from Cardiff to Edinburgh. Traveling by coach from Cardiff to Edinburgh usually takes around 14 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest National Express coach can make the trip in 13 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 309 mi (497 km) |
| Shortest duration | 13h 25m |
| Cheapest price | £18.69 |
| Most frequent service | National Express |
| Coach lines | 3 |
Coaches from Cardiff to Edinburgh
- FlixBus: 1 daily coaches from £18
- Megabus: 2 daily coaches from £21
- National Express: 8 daily coaches from £24
How much is a coach ticket from Cardiff to Edinburgh?
£26.02 is the average price of a bus ticket from Cardiff to Edinburgh. Taking a bus is an affordable way to make this trip. 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
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in January. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just £33 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Cardiff to Edinburgh in July, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to £56 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.
What coach companies travel from Cardiff to Edinburgh?
There are 3 bus lines from Cardiff to Edinburgh available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 8 daily trips, National Express 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 | 1 | 15h 2m | £44.39 |
| Megabus | 2 | 14h 48m | £27.56 |
| National Express | 8 | 14h 19m | £37.63 |
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 1 trips from Cardiff to Edinburgh, and usually makes the trip in about 15 hours and 2 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 14 hours and 27 minutes to cover the 309 miles from Cardiff to Edinburgh. However, the fastest coach only takes 13 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.
Thursday is usually the day of the week when coaches are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.
The first coach leaves at 03:00 and the last coach leaves at 18:00. To see the times for all coaches from Cardiff to Edinburgh, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 10 scheduled coaches that travel from Cardiff to Edinburgh every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which coach you take, you will have to transfer coaches at least once during your journey.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Cardiff to Edinburgh; ticket prices start at £102.41.
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.
Edinburgh
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
As Scotland's capital, Edinburgh and its people are famed throughout history for their contribution to philosophy, literature, science, and industry, among many other areas. This incredibly diverse city promises to provide attractions and entertainment for people of all ages, budgets, and interests. Edinburgh is even ranked as the #6 city with the most historic sites per capita in Europe, and the #1 outside of Italy!
For those looking for outdoor adventure, take a walk up Arthur's Seat, one of four hill forts that date back to over 2,000 years ago. The walk to the top will allow you to embrace some of Scotland's most beautiful landscapes and wildlife, and you'll be rewarded with a dramatic view of Edinburgh at the top.
On rainy days, visit the National Museum of Scotland, where each floor provides information on several fascinating eras of Scotland's history. A trip down the Royal Mile will satisfy all your tartan and souvenir needs, while the world-famous Underground Ghost Tour will give you an entirely different view of this seemingly peaceful, quaint city.
If your trip falls during the holiday season, the Edinburgh Christmas Market is guaranteed to give you the festive feeling, while world-renowned Hogmanay celebrations will ensure that you ring in the New Year with a bang.
Edinburgh is easily accessible via train, plane, and bus. Edinburgh Airport provides global access to the city, while rail services connect the city to many other major towns and cities across the UK. In addition, numerous bus companies travel to and from Edinburgh, meaning that no matter your preferred mode of transport, the city is always within reach.
Station Information
Where does the coach leave from in Cardiff?
Main departure station: North Road Bus Stop
Coaches to Edinburgh leave from 6 stations in Cardiff.
All coach stations in Cardiff:
North Road Bus Stop
Cardiff University
2 Sophia Cl
Cardiff Royal Welsh College of Music
North Rd 330
Cardiff University
Where does the coach arrive in Edinburgh?
Image credit: Wendy
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Edinburgh Bus Station
Edinburgh Bus Station is a local and long-distance bus station located beneath the luxury shopping area, Multrees Walk. It is less than five minutes on foot from Waverley train station, with the primary pedestrian access on St Andrew Square. Luggage lockers, a small convenience store, café, and pay-for restrooms occupy the underground waiting lounge. Megabus and National Express operate service to destinations such as Glasgow, Aberdeen, Belfast, and York. International travellers can reach the Edinburgh Airport via the tram at St Andrew Square.
Coach stations in Edinburgh:
Edinburgh Bus Station
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