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The journey from Bristol to Cardiff is a busy, short intercity route of around 45 miles, making travel between the two cities relatively quick and extremely easy. The Bristol to Cardiff train is popular with commuters, students and day-trippers thanks to the very fast and highly cost-effective benefits that this particular train journey offers, but car, bus and coach travel are also options for you to enjoy to suit your needs.
Whether you’re heading from Bristol to Cardiff for work, a day trip to explore the shops and nightlife, or to visit friends and family, the route from one city to the other is quick, convenient and connected.
Whatever your reasons for visiting, with various travel options available, you won’t struggle to find cheap travel from Bristol to Cardiff. There’s no need for the trip to break the bank.
In this handy guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about the best way to travel from Bristol to Cardiff and how much you can expect to pay, so you can decide which route works for you.
What is the best method of travel?
Method | Average Duration | Average Price | Frequency |
Train | 31 - 42 mins | £7+ | Every 6 - 27 mins |
Coach | 1 hour 20 mins | £7 - £20 | Every 40 - 60 mins |
Car | 1 hour | £4 - £15 | N/A |
Quickest way from Bristol to Cardiff: Train
Cheapest way from Bristol to Cardiff: Train
Our recommended way to travel: Train
Why?: Travelling by train from Bristol to Cardiff is the best option overall thanks to its speed, cost efficiency, and convenience. Direct Great Western Railway (GWR) services connect Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Central in as little as 31 minutes, running up to 10 times per hour at peak periods. Compared with the slower coach service or the variable cost of driving, the train offers the perfect balance of reliability, comfort, and value for money.
Bristol to Cardiff by train
Great Western Railway: Bristol Parkway to Cardiff Central
Great Western Railway runs frequent direct trains from Bristol Parkway to Cardiff Central, departing every few minutes throughout the day. Journey times range from 31 to 42 minutes, with off-peak and advance fares starting from around £7. You can expect fares to increase to £14 for busier, more popular services.
Great Western Railway trains boast wifi, power sockets and luggage storage, along with accessible facilities and comfortable seats. First Class tickets are also an option on many trains. You can save money on a Bristol to Cardiff train by booking in advance, travelling off-peak and using a valid railcard, which can save you up to a third.
Once you arrive at Cardiff Central, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the city and within walking distance of Cardiff Castle and a wide range of restaurants, bars and hotels.
Bristol to Cardiff by coach
If you would prefer to sit back and let someone else hit the open road for you, the Bristol to Cardiff coach is an option. National Express and Flixbus both run regular services between Bristol and Cardiff, with most journeys taking between 1 hour and 5 minutes, and some taking 1 hour and 35 minutes, depending on the Bristol to Cardiff bus you choose and traffic.
Bristol to Cardiff coach stations:
Depart: Bristol Coach Station
Arrive: Cardiff North Road or Cardiff Sophia Gardens
If you book in advance, tickets can be as low as £7, but prices do increase to £20 for peak services. You can expect comfortable seating, wifi, air conditioning, power sockets and toilets on board. Coaches depart every 40 minutes, though sometimes services are closer together. Though the Bristol to Cardiff coach isn’t the quickest way to travel from A to B, it’s cost-effective and comfortable.
Bristol to Cardiff by car
If you want to be in the driving seat - both literally and metaphorically - then a Bristol to Cardiff car journey might be the right choice for you. This route gives you the freedom to travel, take detours, stop along the way and travel at your own pace. You can leave when you want, with very little planning.
However, traffic can be problematic during rush hours and peak travel times, which you’ll want to factor into your Bristol to Cardiff drive. The journey is 42 miles long and takes around 1 hour, depending on when you choose to travel.
Recommended Bristol to Cardiff driving route:
The most common way to drive from Bristol to Cardiff is via the M4. After departing Bristol on the A4044 and heading towards Cardiff on the M4, you’ll exit the motorway and merge onto the A48, before arriving at Newport Road.
The cost of fuel varies hugely depending on the car you have, but you can expect to pay an average of around £20 for a round trip.
Cardiff parking tips:
- Cardiff Central Station - Cardiff Central Station has several car parks. The Penarth Road car park is popular, as are Riverside Car Park and the Brewery Car Park.
- St David’s Dewi Sant Car Park - This is a large multi-storey car park, which is in the ideal location for shopping, going to the cinema or seeing a show
- NCP Cardiff, Adam Street - Well located for city centre access, Adam Street is handy for getting to many of the city’s main attractions.
You can also beat the city traffic using Cardiff’s Park and Ride system. With 2,000 parking spaces across 24 stations, you can park and ride the train into the city centre. This enables you to save time, avoid congestion and enjoy an easy journey.
- What is the best method of travel?
- Bristol to Cardiff by train
- Bristol to Cardiff by coach
- Bristol to Cardiff by car
