Cheap bus tickets from Leicester to Cardiff
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Leicester to Cardiff Bus Schedule
Bus from Leicester to Cardiff: Journey Information
There are 38 intercity buses per day from Leicester to Cardiff. Traveling by bus from Leicester to Cardiff usually takes around 7 hours and 23 minutes, but the fastest National Express bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 50 minutes.
| Distance | 118 mi (190 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 50m |
| Cheapest price | $20.17 |
| Most frequent service | National Express |
| Bus lines | 1 |

What bus companies travel from Leicester to Cardiff?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Leicester to Cardiff. National Express connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Express | 38 | 7h 24m | $39.45 |
Book National Express from Leicester to Cardiff from $20. There are 38 trips per day offered by National Express from Leicester to Cardiff and you can expect on average to pay for a National Express ticket to Cardiff. In Leicester, National Express departs to Cardiff from Leicester St Margarets Bus Station and one other station. In Cardiff, National Express arrives at Cardiff University and one other station.
An average trip on National Express from Leicester to Cardiff takes 7 hours and 24 minutes , while the fastest available National Express trip will get you to Cardiff in 4 hours and 50 minutes .
On weekends, National Express offers 39 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Cardiff.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Leicester to Cardiff
The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 23 minutes to cover the 118 miles from Leicester to Cardiff. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 50 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road 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.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 3:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Leicester to Cardiff, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 38 scheduled buses that travel from Leicester to Cardiff every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Leicester to Cardiff; ticket prices start at $53.86.
City Information
Leicester

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash
Leicester, located in the county of Leicestershire in the East Midlands, is a city with much to explore. Leicester's cultural diversity and large student population mean the city is filled with a wide variety of experiences.
Leicester Cathedral and Belvoir Castle are a must-visit for those looking to discover the past. Leicester is also famous for being the final resting place of King Richard III, with a visitor center built around the location to tell the story of one of the most famous monarchs in English history. For a broader look at history, try the Leicester Museum and Art Gallery to learn about the Mesozoic era as well as Ancient Egypt.
If your interests lie more in futuristic endeavors, visit the National Space Centre to take a trip through time and space. Leicester is also home to many traditional English pubs and quaint cafes, making it a great place to sit back, relax and enjoy the moment.
Leicester is easily accessible by train, with Leicester Rail Station serving East Midlands and Thameslink trains. St Margaret's Bus Station is located centrally and serves National Express buses. If you're traveling from further afield, East Midlands Airport and Birmingham Airport are both close to Leicester.
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 does the bus leave from in Leicester?
Main departure station: Leicester St Margarets Bus Station
Leicester has two bus stations with service to Cardiff.
All bus stations in Leicester:
Leicester St Margarets Bus Station
Narborough Rd
Where does the bus arrive in Cardiff?
Main arrival station: Cardiff University
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Cardiff.
All bus stations in Cardiff:
Cardiff University
2 Sophia Cl
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- United Kingdom
- Cardiff
- Leicester to Cardiff






