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There are 51 intercity coaches per day from London to Cardiff. Traveling by coach from London to Cardiff usually takes around 4 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest National Express coach can make the trip in 2 hours and 55 minutes.
| Distance | 131 mi (211 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 55m |
| Cheapest price | £5.82 |
| Trips per day | 20 |
| Most frequent service | National Express |
| Coach lines | 2 |
Average score for coaches from London to Cardiff
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: It was a pleasant experience, the driver made me feel (as a first-time traveler to Wales by coach) safe & as if I were in good, capable hands. Cons: The seats were slightly awkward & uncomfortable but not too big of a deal. Tips: Bring snacks, water, a good book & a neck pillow! Oh, P.S, the charger port is between the two seats (... I didn’t notice this until nearly 2hrs into my journey!).
Bus tickets for a trip from London to Cardiff cost £5.91 on average. This is an excellent value for the trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
There are two bus lines that have daily service from London to Cardiff that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, National Express usually offers more choice, with 44 scheduled trips per day.
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 9 | 3h 59m | £15.24 |
| National Express | 44 | 4h 39m | £21.58 |
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 9 trips from London to Cardiff, and usually makes the trip in about 3 hours and 59 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
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.
The coach takes an average of 4 hours and 27 minutes to cover the 131 miles from London to Cardiff. However, the fastest coach only takes 2 hours and 55 minutes. In other words, you'll have plenty of time to rest and relax on the road. 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.
Saturday is usually the day when coaches are busiest, as many travelers take the coach to enjoy the weekend in Cardiff. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first coach leaves at 00:00 and the last coach leaves at 22:00. To see the times for all coaches from London to Cardiff, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 51 scheduled coaches that travel from London to Cardiff every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 20 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 London to Cardiff; ticket prices start at £56.62.
One of the most important cities in the world, London is where the traditional blends seamlessly with the modern. As a vibrant modern city, London has something for everyone. For visitors interested in the Royal Family as well as their history, check out Buckingham Palace. The palace is open all days in summer, but only on selected days in winter. The Tower of London, where the crown jewels are put on exhibition, is also a great spot to check out. For fans of history, you might not want to miss out on the famous British Museum, considered by many to be the best museum in all of London. The museum currently carries an impressive collection of 8 million historic objects from all around the world, making it an eye-opening destination for many.
London’s food scene reflects its multiculturalism. Here you can find restaurants serving cuisines from various countries around the world, from India to Malaysia. If you opt for a lavish dining experience, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, run by the famous chef himself, will be a great choice. Also don’t forget to stop by at a local pub and enjoy the beer like a true Londoner.
The city’s centers of intercity rail services are King’s Cross Station and Euston Station, from which you can take a train to other places in the UK or hop on the Eurostar train to Paris and beyond. The largest coach station in the city is Victoria Coach Station, serving big local carriers like National Express. The city’s air services are fulfilled by eight airports, of which London Heathrow Airport, located west of the city, is the busiest one.
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.
Image credit: Matt Brown
Link to image attributionLondon's Victoria Coach Station has its main entrance on Buckingham Palace Road. Well-signposted but slightly hidden in an attractive art deco office block, the station welcomes around 14 million passengers each year. The arrival and departure areas are at different ends of Elizabeth Street, with the departure zone containing food concession stands, left-luggage facilities, and restrooms. As London's largest coach station, most major coach companies, including FlixBus, Megabus, and National Express, operate from Victoria Coach Station. It is a ten-minute walk to rail and Underground services at Victoria Rail Station, whose 19 platforms include express services to Gatwick Airport.
London Victoria
Elephant and Castle
Dunton Rd (Stop WN)
Hammersmith Bus Station (Stop D)
London Mile End
Bow Church Station
Golders Green Bus Station
London New Cross Gate
London Lewisham
Eltham Road / Westhorne Avenue
Coaches arrive in Cardiff at 4 stations, depending on which coach line you are traveling with.
North Road Bus Stop
2 Sophia Cl
Cardiff University
Cardiff (Greyfriars Rd)
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
