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Trip Summary
You can pick from 24 daily train trips between Liverpool and Cardiff. The average train journey from Liverpool to Cardiff takes 4 hours and 52 minutes, but some West Midlands Railway + Connections train trips are as short as 3 hours and 26 minutes.
| Distance | 133 mi (215 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 26m |
| Lowest price | €40.28 |
| Most frequent service | Merseyrail + Connections |
| Train lines | 5 |
Which train should you take from Liverpool to Cardiff?
There are 5 train lines with service from Liverpool to Cardiff. Merseyrail + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 9 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arriva Trains Wales | 3 | 3h 44m | €47.14 |
| Arriva Trains Wales + Connections | 1 | 4h 0m | €98.44 |
| Merseyrail + Connections | 9 | 5h 52m | €54.40 |
| Virgin Trains + Connections | 4 | 4h 2m | €74.19 |
| West Midlands Railway + Connections | 7 | 4h 42m | €48.74 |
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 Liverpool to Cardiff start from €98, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 Arriva Trains Wales + Connections schedules to Cardiff. Arriva Trains Wales + Connections in Liverpool leaves from Liverpool South Parkway . And in Cardiff trains arrive at Cardiff Central .
From Liverpool to Cardiff train travel on Arriva Trains Wales + Connections takes 4 hours and 0 minutes. If you are looking to get to Cardiff faster, Arriva Trains Wales + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 26 minutes.
Merseyrail + Connections train tickets from Liverpool to Cardiff start from €41, and on average cost . Daily there are 9 Merseyrail + Connections schedules to Cardiff. Merseyrail + Connections in Liverpool leaves from Brunswick and one other station. And in Cardiff trains arrive at Cardiff Central .
From Liverpool to Cardiff train travel on Merseyrail + Connections takes 5 hours and 52 minutes. If you are looking to get to Cardiff faster, Merseyrail + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 26 minutes.
Virgin Trains + Connections train tickets from Liverpool to Cardiff start from €41, and on average cost . Daily there are 4 Virgin Trains + Connections schedules to Cardiff. Virgin Trains + Connections in Liverpool leaves from Liverpool Lime St . And in Cardiff trains arrive at Cardiff Central .
From Liverpool to Cardiff train travel on Virgin Trains + Connections takes 4 hours and 2 minutes. If you are looking to get to Cardiff faster, Virgin Trains + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 26 minutes.
West Midlands Railway + Connections train tickets from Liverpool to Cardiff start from €40, and on average cost . Daily there are 7 West Midlands Railway + Connections schedules to Cardiff. West Midlands Railway + Connections in Liverpool leaves from Liverpool South Parkway and one other station. And in Cardiff trains arrive at Cardiff Central .
From Liverpool to Cardiff train travel on West Midlands Railway + Connections takes 4 hours and 42 minutes. If you are looking to get to Cardiff faster, West Midlands Railway + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 26 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Liverpool and Cardiff is approximately 133 miles, or 215 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 52 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 26 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Liverpool to Cardiff on Wednesday. Tickets for Wednesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Wednesday. Wednesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Liverpool at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 23:00. 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 Cardiff to Liverpool.
City Information
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.
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 Liverpool?
Main departure station: Liverpool South Parkway Station
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 4 stops and stations in Liverpool where you can board the train.
All train stations in Liverpool:
Liverpool South Parkway Station
Brunswick
Liverpool Lime Street Station
Liverpool James St
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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Need a return trip from Cardiff to Liverpool?
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