Lowest Prices
We partner with the top coach & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Trip Summary
8 trains operate daily from Doncaster to Cardiff. The train trip from Doncaster to Cardiff is usually about 5 hours and 29 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest CrossCountry + Connections train can get you there in as little as 3 hours and 48 minutes.
| Distance | 165 mi (266 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 48m |
| Lowest price | €71.66 |
| Most frequent service | Northern Rail + Connections |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Doncaster to Cardiff?
There are 4 train lines with service from Doncaster to Cardiff. Northern Rail + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 4 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossCountry | 1 | 4h 27m | €71.66 |
| CrossCountry + Connections | 2 | 9h 2m | €142.10 |
| East Midlands Trains + Connections | 1 | 4h 30m | €142.10 |
| Northern Rail + Connections | 4 | 4h 13m | €104.03 |
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 Doncaster to Cardiff usually takes about 4 hours and 27 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 Doncaster to Cardiff start from €142, and on average cost . Daily there are 2 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Cardiff. CrossCountry + Connections in Doncaster leaves from Doncaster Train Station . And in Cardiff trains arrive at Cardiff Central .
From Doncaster to Cardiff train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 9 hours and 2 minutes. If you are looking to get to Cardiff faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 48 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.
East Midlands Trains + Connections train tickets from Doncaster to Cardiff start from €142, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 East Midlands Trains + Connections schedules to Cardiff. East Midlands Trains + Connections in Doncaster leaves from Doncaster Train Station . And in Cardiff trains arrive at Cardiff Central .
From Doncaster to Cardiff train travel on East Midlands Trains + Connections takes 4 hours and 30 minutes. If you are looking to get to Cardiff faster, East Midlands Trains + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 48 minutes.
If you are looking to travel to Cardiff on a weekend there is typically one East Midlands Trains + Connections scheduled trip per day, which will cost for a one-way weekend reservation from Doncaster.
Northern Rail + Connections train tickets from Doncaster to Cardiff start from €74, and on average cost . Daily there are 4 Northern Rail + Connections schedules to Cardiff. Northern Rail + Connections in Doncaster leaves from Doncaster Train Station . And in Cardiff trains arrive at Cardiff Central .
From Doncaster to Cardiff train travel on Northern Rail + Connections takes 4 hours and 13 minutes. If you are looking to get to Cardiff faster, Northern Rail + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 48 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Northern Rail + Connections offers 4 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 Doncaster and Cardiff is approximately 165 miles, or 266 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 29 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 48 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.
Trains departing from Doncaster to Cardiff tend to have the most passengers on Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Doncaster at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 20:00. 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 Doncaster.
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Doncaster?
Main departure station: Doncaster Train Station
There is one train station in Doncaster.
All train stations in Doncaster:
Doncaster Train Station
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
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Cardiff to Doncaster?
Search Train Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
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 and with no additional fees. 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.
Book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more