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Trip Summary
You can pick from 8 daily train trips between Edinburgh and Cardiff. The average train journey from Edinburgh to Cardiff takes 7 hours and 47 minutes, but some Virgin Trains + Connections train trips are as short as 6 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 309 mi (497 km) |
| Fastest train | 6h 10m |
| Lowest price | £98.49 |
| Most frequent service | London North Eastern Railway + Connections |
| Train lines | 5 |
Train service from Edinburgh to Cardiff
- CrossCountry tickets: £98 one-way
- CrossCountry + Connections tickets: £164 one-way
- London North Eastern Railway + Connections tickets: £196 one-way
- TransPennine Express + Connections tickets: £196 one-way
- Virgin Trains + Connections tickets: £196 one-way
Which train should you take from Edinburgh to Cardiff?
There are 5 train lines with service from Edinburgh to Cardiff. London North Eastern Railway + Connections is your best bet, with 2 scheduled trains per day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossCountry | 1 | 7h 20m | £119.41 |
| CrossCountry + Connections | 1 | 7h 13m | £175.21 |
| London North Eastern Railway + Connections | 2 | 6h 51m | £198.34 |
| TransPennine Express + Connections | 1 | 10h 44m | £203.61 |
| Virgin Trains + Connections | 1 | 8h 24m | £201.23 |
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 Edinburgh to Cardiff usually takes about 7 hours and 20 minutes on a CrossCountry train. There are 1 trips on this route every day, and 1 daily trips on weekends.
CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Edinburgh to Cardiff start from £165, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Cardiff. CrossCountry + Connections in Edinburgh leaves from Edinburgh Waverley . And in Cardiff trains arrive at Cardiff Central .
From Edinburgh to Cardiff train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 7 hours and 13 minutes. If you are looking to get to Cardiff faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 6 hours and 10 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, CrossCountry + Connections offers 2 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Cardiff.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is a privately-owned train company that operates passenger services on behalf of the UK government. LNER manages the prestigious East Coast mainline route, connecting London King's Cross Station to various cities, including Leeds, Bradford, and Hull. With a comprehensive network of 55 stations and a fleet of approximately 75 trains, LNER facilitates numerous daily journeys, offering standard and first-class ticket options.
TransPennine Express + Connections train tickets from Edinburgh to Cardiff start from £196, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 TransPennine Express + Connections schedules to Cardiff. TransPennine Express + Connections in Edinburgh leaves from Edinburgh Waverley . And in Cardiff trains arrive at Cardiff Central .
From Edinburgh to Cardiff train travel on TransPennine Express + Connections takes 10 hours and 44 minutes. If you are looking to get to Cardiff faster, TransPennine Express + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 6 hours and 10 minutes.
If you are looking to travel to Cardiff on a weekend there is typically one TransPennine Express + Connections scheduled trip per day, which will cost for a one-way weekend reservation from Edinburgh.
Virgin Trains + Connections train tickets from Edinburgh to Cardiff start from £196, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 Virgin Trains + Connections schedules to Cardiff. Virgin Trains + Connections in Edinburgh leaves from Edinburgh Waverley . And in Cardiff trains arrive at Cardiff Central .
From Edinburgh to Cardiff train travel on Virgin Trains + Connections takes 8 hours and 24 minutes. If you are looking to get to Cardiff faster, Virgin Trains + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 6 hours and 10 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Virgin Trains + Connections offers 2 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Cardiff.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Edinburgh and Cardiff is approximately 309 miles, or 497 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 47 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 10 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.
Monday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Edinburgh to Cardiff. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Monday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Monday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Edinburgh at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 22:00. 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 8 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 Cardiff to Edinburgh.
City Information
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.
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 Edinburgh?
Image credit: Danny Navarro
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Daniel
Link to image attribution
Image credit: David Brossard
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Edinburgh Waverley
Just steps away from the Scott Monument, Edinburgh Waverley Rail Station is the city's main train terminal and the second-biggest in Scotland. It lies at the northern end of the East Coast Main Line, connecting it with London via York and Newcastle Upon Tyne. Situated within a grand structure between Edinburgh Old and New Towns, you can access it from either Princes Street or Market Street. Beneath an impressive Victorian-era glass roof, passengers will find a good range of facilities, including hot and cold food options, ATMs, and public restrooms. Edinburgh Trams and local bus services depart from outside the Princes Street entrance, with links to Edinburgh Airport.
All train stations in Edinburgh:
Edinburgh Waverley
Where is the train station in Cardiff?
Image credit: Hugh Llewelyn
Link to image attributionMain arrival 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.
Train stations in Cardiff:
Cardiff Central
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