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.
Trip Summary
8 trains operate daily from Cardiff to Glasgow. The train trip from Cardiff to Glasgow is usually about 7 hours and 35 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Great Western Railway + Connections train can get you there in as little as 6 hours and 19 minutes.
| Distance | 306 mi (493 km) |
| Fastest train | 6h 19m |
| Lowest price | $194.85 |
| Most frequent service | Arriva Trains Wales + Connections |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Cardiff to Glasgow?
2 train services operate from Cardiff to Glasgow. Arriva Trains Wales + Connections usually has more trains scheduled, with 4 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arriva Trains Wales + Connections | 4 | 8h 50m | $200.92 |
| Great Western Railway + Connections | 4 | 6h 21m | $199.40 |
Arriva Trains Wales + Connections train tickets from Cardiff to Glasgow start from $201, and on average cost . Daily there are 4 Arriva Trains Wales + Connections schedules to Glasgow. Arriva Trains Wales + Connections in Cardiff leaves from Cardiff Central . And in Glasgow trains arrive at Glasgow Central .
From Cardiff to Glasgow train travel on Arriva Trains Wales + Connections takes 8 hours and 50 minutes. If you are looking to get to Glasgow faster, Arriva Trains Wales + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 6 hours and 19 minutes.
Great Western Railway + Connections train tickets from Cardiff to Glasgow start from $195, and on average cost . Daily there are 4 Great Western Railway + Connections schedules to Glasgow. Great Western Railway + Connections in Cardiff leaves from Cardiff Central . And in Glasgow trains arrive at Glasgow Central .
From Cardiff to Glasgow train travel on Great Western Railway + Connections takes 6 hours and 21 minutes. If you are looking to get to Glasgow faster, Great Western Railway + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 6 hours and 19 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Cardiff and Glasgow is approximately 306 miles, or 493 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 35 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 19 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 Cardiff to Glasgow tend to have the most passengers on Tuesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Tuesday. 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 Tuesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Cardiff at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00pm. 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 Glasgow 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.
Glasgow
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland. The city's name means "Dear Green Place" in Gaelic, and Glasgow earns this title as it is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the area. Beyond its impressive green spaces, it is full of historical and cultural destinations.
There are dozens of inspiring museums and galleries in the city, including the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Riverside Museum, and the Gallery of Modern Art. The Glasgow Green is a vast public park dotted with monuments right next to the People's Palace, a museum devoted to social history. In the central shopping district, Buchanan Street is your go-to for mouthwatering cuisine and retail therapy.
If you want to try some local beer, hit up The Pot Still, The Ben Nevis Bar, or The Laurieston. Be sure to visit the Clydeside Distillery, too, so you can see how the national drink of Scotland (hello, Scotch) is manufactured.
Several trains serve Glasgow, including Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry, Caledonian Sleeper, London North Eastern Railway, Northern Rail, and the West Midlands Railway. In addition, Megabus and FlixBus offer bus service from Glasgow to other destinations in Scotland and beyond.
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 Glasgow?
Image credit: Daniel
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Glasgow Central
Glasgow Central Station is a stunning, expansive Victorian railway station in the center of Glasgow. The station is so large that it contains a piano garden, a concourse of shops and dining, numerous amenities, and even the Glasgow Grand Central Hotel onsite. The area around the station is also packed with bars, restaurants, and hotels for a very warm welcome to Glasgow. Six train carriers, including CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, London North Eastern Railway, and TransPennine Express, operate routes to Glasgow Central Station from destinations as far as London.
All train stations in Glasgow:
Glasgow Central
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Glasgow to Cardiff?
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. 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 buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more