London Paddington to Cardiff Central Trains From £38.00*

It takes, on average, around one hour and forty-nine minutes to get from London Paddington to Cardiff Central with Great Western Railway (GWR). On your journey, you will glide across the breadth of England and into Wales, heading from London in the east to Cardiff in the west.

Great Western Railway provides services to the West of England and South Wales and inter-city trains to West London and the greater Thames Valley.

Departing from London Paddington

Paddington Station sits between Notting Hill in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Marylebone in the City of Westminster. This key station on the British rail network, served by Great Western Railway, the Elizabeth Line, and Heathrow Express, acts as the terminus for the Great Western Mainline. It connects London with the west of England, destinations in Wales such as Swansea and Cardiff Central, and provides commuting and regional passenger services in West London and the Thames Valley region.

Being a central London railway station, it’s easy to get to. Paddington Station has a dedicated London Underground station that runs on the Circle, District, Bakerloo, and Hammersmith & City lines. The station is conveniently served by local taxis and buses, making it simple and easy to catch your train.

Main stops

When travelling with GWR from London Paddington to Cardiff Central, the route usually includes four stations: Reading, Swindon, Bristol Parkway, and Newport.

However, this may change, so it's best to double-check before travelling. Scheduling changes, poor weather, and construction work may cause stops to change, sometimes at short notice.

To buy cheap train tickets, use sites like TrainPal to find the best fares, apply for a Railcard for extra discounts, and book your journey in advance.

Arriving at Cardiff Central

The train from London Paddington will arrive at Cardiff Central, the Welsh capital’s main station. Located on Central Square, it allows passengers to access Cardiff City Centre promptly. If you need to travel around the city or the wider metropolitan area, Cardiff Bus Station is conveniently located on Central Square. There is a taxi rank situated on Saunders Road, just off Central Square, too.

You’ll want to make use of Cardiff’s great public transport network, too, as there’s so much to do in the city. Being one of the UK’s four capitals, there’s a lot of history to explore. Cardiff Castle, St Fagans National Museum of History, and the National Museum Cardiff are all excellent places to start. If you feel like shopping, then head to one of the city’s moniker Victorian arcades. If you don’t mind travelling further afield, then the Wales Millennium Centre is a great place to visit for shopping, pubs, restaurants, and cultural activities.

There are three main train operators at Cardiff Central. These are Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales, and CrossCountry, providing train services to places like Swansea, Taunton, Nottingham, and Manchester Piccadilly.

Great Western Railway train classes

• Standard Class: Comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi. There are also tables and power sockets for your devices.
• First Class: First Class includes more spacious seating, greater comfort, large tables, free Wi-Fi, and exclusive dining options. It also offers access to First-Class lounges at London Paddington station.

Great Western Railway train travel advice

• Luggage: Maximum of three items of luggage. This goes up to two larger items and one smaller bag.  Under-seat and overhead storage provide generous space for cabin-sized carry-ons, laptop bags, and handbags.
• Pets: Dogs, cats, and small animals can travel at no cost. Dogs need to be on a lead, and other animals must be in carriers. Passengers can bring a maximum of two pets.
• Bicycles: Bikes can be stored free of charge, but space is limited. It is strongly recommended that you book your ticket in advance to book a bike space.
• Children: Under 5s can travel for free, and children aged 5 to 15 can save 50% on their tickets. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
• Passenger assist: Helps with journey planning, ticketing, seat and wheelchair space booking, boarding and alighting with ramps, station navigation, and luggage handling. Booking in advance is recommended for a seamless experience.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.