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Trip Summary
There are usually 9 daily train trips available from Cheltenham to Cardiff. Traveling by train from Cheltenham to Cardiff usually takes one hour and 20 minutes, but the fastest CrossCountry train can make the trip in one hour and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 55 mi (89 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 10m |
| Lowest price | $14.44 |
| Trains per day | 7 |
| Most frequent service | CrossCountry |
| Train lines | 3 |
Train service from Cheltenham to Cardiff
- CrossCountry tickets: $14 one-way
- Great Western Railway tickets: $29 one-way
- Transport For Wales tickets: $29 one-way
Which train should you take from Cheltenham to Cardiff?
There are 3 train lines with service from Cheltenham to Cardiff. CrossCountry is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 5 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossCountry | 5 | 1h 16m | $21.22 |
| Great Western Railway | 1 | 1h 38m | $29.13 |
| Transport For Wales | 3 | 1h 22m | $29.13 |
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 Cheltenham to Cardiff usually takes about 1 hours and 16 minutes on a CrossCountry train. There are 5 trips on this route every day, and 0 daily trips on weekends.
Great Western Railway is a train company in the United Kingdom responsible for rail services in the west of England and south Wales, including many intercity services to and from London. Whether you book a seat on a standard or first-class carriage, you can expect plenty of legroom, complimentary WiFi, power outlets/USB charging points, and onboard restrooms. There are also café cars or snacks trolleys onboard.
Transport for Wales is a trusted provider of passenger rail travel in Wales and the border region with England. Popular trips include Chester to Church Stretton, Caldicot to Cardiff Central station, and Manchester to London. Passengers onboard can enjoy complimentary WiFi and various options for onboard meals, from either a café car or at-seat trolley service for snacks, sodas, and hot drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trains departing from Cheltenham to Cardiff tend to have the most passengers on Thursday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Thursday. 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 Thursday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Cheltenham at 5:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 2:00pm. 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 9 scheduled trains on most days. 7 of these are direct connections to Cardiff. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Cardiff to Cheltenham.
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 Cheltenham?
Main departure station: Cheltenham Spa Station
There is one train station in Cheltenham.
All train stations in Cheltenham:
Cheltenham Spa 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.
All train stations in Cardiff:
Cardiff Central
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Need a return trip from Cardiff to Cheltenham?
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