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Trip Summary
24 trains operate daily from Cardiff to Liverpool. The train trip from Cardiff to Liverpool is usually about 4 hours and 57 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest CrossCountry + Connections train can get you there in as little as 3 hours and 44 minutes.
| Distance | 133 mi (215 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 44m |
| Lowest price | €49.09 |
| Most frequent service | Great Western Railway + Connections |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Cardiff to Liverpool?
There are 4 train lines with service from Cardiff to Liverpool. Great Western Railway + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 10 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arriva Trains Wales | 1 | 4h 5m | €95.97 |
| Arriva Trains Wales + Connections | 9 | 5h 50m | €95.97 |
| CrossCountry + Connections | 4 | 4h 27m | €60.00 |
| Great Western Railway + Connections | 10 | 4h 28m | €95.97 |
Arriva Trains Wales is a friendly and reliable operator of passenger rail services in Wales with services that cross the border into England. Destinations for Arriva Trains Wales services in Wales include Newport, Wrexham, Birmingham, and Manchester. Onboard, passengers will find power outlets and restrooms, plus snacks and beverages available for purchase from a café car or roving trolley service.
Arriva Trains Wales + Connections train tickets from Cardiff to Liverpool start from €96, and on average cost . Daily there are 9 Arriva Trains Wales + Connections schedules to Liverpool. Arriva Trains Wales + Connections in Cardiff leaves from Cardiff Central . And in Liverpool trains arrive at Brunswick and 2 other train stations.
From Cardiff to Liverpool train travel on Arriva Trains Wales + Connections takes 5 hours and 50 minutes. If you are looking to get to Liverpool faster, Arriva Trains Wales + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 44 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Arriva Trains Wales + Connections offers 9 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Liverpool.
CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Cardiff to Liverpool start from €49, and on average cost . Daily there are 4 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Liverpool. CrossCountry + Connections in Cardiff leaves from Cardiff Central . And in Liverpool trains arrive at Liverpool Lime St and 2 other train stations.
From Cardiff to Liverpool train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 4 hours and 27 minutes. If you are looking to get to Liverpool faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 44 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, CrossCountry + Connections offers 4 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Liverpool.
Great Western Railway + Connections train tickets from Cardiff to Liverpool start from €96, and on average cost . Daily there are 10 Great Western Railway + Connections schedules to Liverpool. Great Western Railway + Connections in Cardiff leaves from Cardiff Central . And in Liverpool trains arrive at Liverpool South Parkway and 2 other train stations.
From Cardiff to Liverpool train travel on Great Western Railway + Connections takes 4 hours and 28 minutes. If you are looking to get to Liverpool faster, Great Western Railway + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 44 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Great Western Railway + Connections offers 10 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Liverpool.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Cardiff and Liverpool is approximately 133 miles, or 215 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 57 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 44 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 Cardiff to Liverpool. 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 Cardiff at 08:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 21:00. 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 24 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 Liverpool 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.
Liverpool
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Although Liverpool is only England's 10th largest city, its fame ballooned as the birthplace of the world's biggest rock band: The Beatles. Visiting Liverpool would not be complete without a trip to the iconic Beatles Statue, located near the port, followed by a visit to The Beatles Story museum, where visitors can immerse themselves in the band's rise to fame.
To explore some of Liverpool's older history, the Merseyside Maritime Museum provides fascinating exhibits on the city's great port-town past, including exhibitions on the Titanic as well as the Battle of the Atlantic. Football fanatics should check out the world-famous Anfield Stadium, where regular tours help visitors revel in the history and glory of this iconic football club.
Traveling to Liverpool is easy thanks to several rail providers, which facilitate travel around the Liverpool City Region and beyond. Liverpool also has two significant bus terminals for access via coach and an international airport for those traveling from further afield.
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 Liverpool?
Main arrival station: Liverpool South Parkway Station
There are more train stations and stops in Liverpool than most cities. Most trains from Cardiff will stop at one (or more) of the 3 following stations in Liverpool:
Train stations in Liverpool:
Liverpool South Parkway Station
Liverpool Lime Street Station
Brunswick
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