Timetable
Train route
Cheap train tickets
Reading to Cardiff train route details
First train
05:49
Last train
23:27
Journey time
1h 22m
Distance
95 miles
Price
£13.75*
What are the next train times from Reading to Cardiff?
Explore all upcoming journeys from Reading to Cardiff happening today, including departure and arrival times, whether it's a direct service, travel duration, and who will be providing your route - everything you need to know for catching the train today
| Departs | Arrives | Operator | Find Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
15:13 Reading | 16:38 Cardiff Central |  | Find Tickets |
15:41 Reading | 17:09 Cardiff Central | | Find Tickets |
16:13 Reading | 17:37 Cardiff Central | | Find Tickets |
16:58 Reading | 19:26 Cardiff Central |  | Find Tickets |
17:13 Reading | 18:37 Cardiff Central | | Find Tickets |
17:43 Reading | 19:10 Paris | | Find Tickets |
Explore the cheapest prices to Cardiff from Reading this week
Typical ticket prices between Reading and Cardiff are around £13.75, though selecting Off-Peak or Advance fares can make your trip even more budget-friendly. Explore the options below to secure the price that suits you best!
*Price changes due to the real-time price fluctuations, please refer to the latest price.
How to book cheap train tickets from Reading to Cardiff
Group travel deals
If you are travelling in a group of 3 to 9 people, you can take advantage of group discounts (offered by most train companies) for up to 1/3 off standard fares. This can make travelling from Reading to Cardiff more affordable for families, friends, or colleagues planning a trip together.
Using a Railcard for 1/3 off
Save money on your journeys by choosing from a variety of Railcards, most of which give you 1/3 off standard fares. Options include the 16-25, 26-30, Family & Friends, Two Together, Network and Senior Railcards, plus the 16-17 Saver which offers 50% off. You can buy and store them digitally in your Trip.com app, so big savings are always just a tap away.
Split Tickets discount
It may sound odd, but splitting your journey into smaller segments by purchasing separate, cheaper tickets can often lead to significant savings, all while you remain in the same seat for the entire trip. The best part? Trip.com handles these splits for you, meaning you don't have to do any painstaking planning.
Travel during Off-Peak train times
To enjoy a calmer and often cheaper journey, we recommend choosing Off-Peak services and steering clear of the busy rush-hour periods. While timings differ slightly by operator, it's usually best to avoid travelling between 06:30 AM–09:30 AM and 4:00 PM–7:00 PM on weekdays. On weekends and bank holidays, Off-Peak fares apply all day.
Which train ticket types are available for this route?
Advance train tickets
Available up to 12 weeks before the journey, these are generally the most cost-effective option for cost-conscious travellers
Season tickets
With weekly, monthly, and annual versions, these tickets provide unlimited travel between two stations and typically reduce fares by about 1/3
Return train tickets
Valid for both an outward and return journey from the same destination on your chosen route
First Class tickets
First Class tickets offer a more premium travel experience, typically including wider seats, extra space, quieter coaches, and complimentary refreshments on many services for added comfort
Why Book Train Tickets With Trip.com?
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*Based on Trip.com ticket data from 2023, Split Tickets provided notably lower prices compared to full-price tickets.