Timetable

Train route

Travel guide

Cheap train tickets

Edinburgh to Cardiff train prices and times

Use Trip.com to buy tickets from Edinburgh to Cardiff, starting from £30.20 and averaging £60.50. The entire journey takes no more than 5h 52m. If you want to get more discounts, consider purchasing split tickets. Additionally, buying in advance is also good choice.

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Fri, Apr 25
From £30.20
Sat, Apr 26
From £30.20
Sun, Apr 27
From £30.20
Mon, Apr 28
From £30.20
Tue, Apr 29
From £30.20
Wed, Apr 30
From £30.20
Thu, May 1

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Departs	Arrives	Duration	Find Tickets
06:06 Edinburgh (Waverley)	13:25 Cardiff Central	7h 19m, No direct	Find Tickets
06:12 Edinburgh (Waverley)	13:49 Cardiff Central	7h 37m, No direct	Find Tickets
06:52 Edinburgh (Waverley)	12:45 Cardiff Central	5h 53m, No direct	Find Tickets
07:00 Edinburgh (Waverley)	13:59 Cardiff Central	6h 59m, No direct	Find Tickets
07:04 Edinburgh (Waverley)	14:07 Cardiff Central	7h 3m, No direct	Find Tickets
07:04 Edinburgh (Waverley)	14:25 Paris	7h 21m, No direct	Find Tickets View More Trains

Edinburgh to Cardiff train route details

First train

06:06

Last train

23:45

Departure station

Edinburgh

Arrival station

Cardiff

Journey time

5h 52m

Distance

310 miles

Price

£30.20*

Train Operators

Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway

How to book cheap train tickets from Edinburgh to Cardiff

Travelling in off-peak train times

We recommend buying train tickets from Edinburgh to Cardiff during off-peak hours. These times are usually before 06:30, between 09:30 and 16:00, and after 19:00 on weekdays, as well as all day on weekends and bank holidays. Choosing Off-Peak train tickets means benefiting from cheaper fares and less crowded trains, making your journey more enjoyable.

Using the Railcard for 1/3 off

Railcards offer discounts of up to 1/3 on most tickets. There are various types of Railcards catering to different types of travellers, such as the 16–25 Railcard, the Family & Friends Railcard, and the Senior Railcard. For more information on Railcards and how they can help you save, visit Railcards here.

Split Tickets to save an average extra 30%

Splitting tickets involves buying separate, cheaper tickets for different parts of your journey on the same train instead of just one ticket for the entire trip. For instance, if you're travelling from Edinburgh to Cardiff, you might find that purchasing a ticket from A to C, then C to B costs less than a direct ticket. This method is perfectly legal and often doesn’t require leaving your seat.

Book in advance to save an average of 61%

Advance Tickets are typically released up to 12 weeks before the travel date and can offer significant savings compared to tickets purchased closer to departure. By planning your trip from Edinburgh to Cardiff ahead of time and booking your tickets early, you can potentially save up to 61% on your travel expenses.

Group travels to save 1/3

If you are travelling in a group of three to nine people, take advantage of group travel discounts, offered by most train companies, for a discount of up to 1/3 on standard fares. This can make travelling from Edinburgh to Cardiff more affordable for families, friends, or colleagues planning a trip together.

Edinburgh to Cardiff train ticket types

Here are different ticket types available for this route, each with its own benefits and restrictions. Here are the options to consider:

Off-Peak & Super Off-Peak tickets
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These two types of tickets are specifically for use during off-peak and super off-peak times, with cheaper prices, making them suitable for those who enjoy leisure travel.
Return train tickets
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This ticket includes both the outbound and return journeys, saving you the time and hassle of purchasing separate tickets. With just one ticket, you can travel smoothly along the same route.
Advance train tickets
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Generally the most cost-effective option, these tickets can be purchased up to 12 weeks in advance of the travel date.
Season train tickets
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Season tickets allow unlimited travel between two stations and can save you more than 1/3 on train fares.

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Why Book Train Tickets With Trip.com?

Split Tickets
Save an average of 30% on train fares by splitting your Edinburgh to Cardiff journey
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*After comparing the full year of 2023 for Split tickets and full-price tickets on Trip.com, the average savings rate for Split tickets is 30%.

Trains from Edinburgh to Cardiff from £30.20*

Save an average of 30%* with Split Tickets

Edinburgh to Cardiff train prices and times

Edinburgh to Cardiff train route details