Cheap bus tickets from Cardiff to Bristol

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Bus from Cardiff to Bristol: Journey Information

There are 49 intercity buses per day from Cardiff to Bristol. Traveling by bus from Cardiff to Bristol usually takes around 1 hour and 37 minutes, but the fastest National Express bus can make the trip in 1 hour.

Distance
26 mi (41 km)
Shortest duration
1h
Cheapest price
$6.19
Trips per day
49
Most frequent service
National Express
Bus lines
1

Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.

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.

See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Cardiff to Bristol Bus Schedule

Wanderu mascot

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Cardiff to Bristol?

Bus tickets for a trip from Cardiff to Bristol cost about $14 when you book at the cheapest time, 4 days ahead. 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.

Average bus ticket prices from Cardiff to Bristol by travel date

$15$10$5NovNov

If you're planning to travel by bus from Cardiff to Bristol in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $14 to $15. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 4, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Bristol this week, bus tickets are available starting at $14.

Average bus ticket prices from Cardiff to Bristol by month

$25$20$15$10$5JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Cardiff to Bristol is usually cheapest in March, when the average ticket price is only $10. If you're planning to take the bus from Cardiff to Bristol during May, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $20. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$25$20$15$10$5

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. Booking in advance is the best way to find cheap bus tickets, even if it’s only by a few days.

What bus companies travel from Cardiff to Bristol?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Cardiff to Bristol. National Express connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
National Express491h 37m$14.54
  • 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.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Cardiff to Bristol

There are 49 scheduled buses that travel from Cardiff to Bristol every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 41 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

Trips per day

49

Direct trips

41

The bus takes an average of 1 hour and 37 minutes to cover the 26 miles from Cardiff to Bristol. However, the fastest bus only takes 1 hour. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Distance (mi)

26

Distance (km)

41

The first bus leaves at 2:30 AM and the last bus leaves at 11:50 PM. To see the times for all buses from Cardiff to Bristol, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

2:30am

Latest bus

11:50pm

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Bristol at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.

Most crowded

Sunday

Least crowded

Monday

City Information

Cardiff

Cardiff, UK - GBJCN-0Cardiff, UK - GBJCN-1Cardiff, UK - GBJCN-2

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.

Bristol

Bristol, UK - GBUBW-0Bristol, UK - GBUBW-1Bristol, UK - GBUBW-2

Situated on the River Avon, Bristol is the most populous city in South West England. Known for its vibrant culture, Bristol comprises distinct areas, each with its own atmosphere. For example, the Stokes Croft area is filled with independent cafes and vintage shops, while the Clifton suburb hosts unique boutiques and beautiful Georgian architecture.

Bristol Zoo Project, the 136-acre successor to the Clifton zoo that closed in 2022, is a must-see for animal lovers, just north of the city beside the M5. If nautical history is your thing, then step aboard Brunel's SS Great Britain to immerse yourself in 19th-century-era travel, with tours of the whole ship and docks available. More contemporary interests may be piqued when you learn that Bristol is the hometown of the famous street artist Banksy. Many walking tours are available daily to explore the city's renowned street art and local history.

Access to the city is made simple by a wealth of public transport, with rail, road, bus, and air links available. Bristol Airport provides international and national access, and the Great Western Railway trains enable easy access from London and other cities. Several national and regional bus services also serve Bristol.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Cardiff?

Main departure station: 2 Sophia Cl

Cardiff has two bus stations with service to Bristol.

All bus stations in Cardiff:

  • 2 Sophia Cl
  • Cardiff University

Where does the bus arrive in Bristol?

Main arrival station: Bristol Airport North Side Rd

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Bristol.

All bus stations in Bristol:

  • Bristol Airport North Side Rd
  • Coach Station

Need a return trip from Bristol to Cardiff?

Search Bus 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. 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.