Manchester to Cardiff Trains From £43.40*

With Transport for Wales, the ride from Manchester to Cardiff takes approximately 3 hours. The Welsh capital and the northern powerhouse of Manchester are around 144 miles apart, meaning the journey is a little longer than some other UK routes.

Your journey will include traversing through Greater Manchester and Cheshire, passing the verdant counties of Shropshire and Herefordshire before dropping down into Wales and onto the Welsh capital, Cardiff.

Transport for Wales runs the direct Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff train. It also operates most train services within Wales, such as Cardiff to Swansea, and cross-border services into England to destinations like Bristol, Liverpool, and Manchester.

Departing from Manchester Piccadilly

Manchester Piccadilly is the busiest train station in Manchester and one of the busiest in the UK, meaning that it’s fortunately very well connected to other train stations, as well as buses, taxis, and Metrolink trams. Manchester Coach Station is only a five-minute walk to Piccadilly.

If you’re coming from Manchester Airport, you can catch the direct train from the airport to Piccadilly, which takes only around fifteen minutes.

Since Manchester Piccadilly is such a major railway hub, many other UK train operators use this station including Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern, TransPennine Express, and East Midlands Railway.

Main stops

There are ten stations between Manchester Piccadilly and Cardiff. These are: Stockport, Wilmslow, Crewe, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Leominster, Hereford, Abergavenny, Cwmbran, and Newport.

Although it’s worth remembering that these stations may change due to things like scheduling changes or unpredictable weather events, it's best to check before you travel.

If you want to buy cheap train tickets, booking in advance on sites like TrainPal is a good idea. Adding a Railcard will earn you an extra discount, too.

Arriving at Cardiff Central

Cardiff Central station is conveniently situated in the city centre at Central Square, providing immediate access to the vibrant city right from your train carriage.

Cardiff offers a plethora of attractions. Cardiff Castle, with origins dating back to the Roman era, was later managed by the Normans and underwent significant Gothic and Victorian renovations in the 19th century. The National Museum of Cardiff and Techniquest science museum are also excellent choices for any visit to the city.

From Cardiff Central, navigating the city is straightforward. The Cardiff Bus Interchange is located directly at Central Square, and taxis are readily available on Saunders Road. For those traveling to the airport, an express coach service operates directly from the station.

Transport for Wales 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, and exclusive dining options.

Transport for Wales train travel advice

• Luggage: Maximum of three items of luggage. This goes up to two larger items and one smaller bag.
• Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small animals can travel for free. Dogs must be on a lead. Other animals must travel in carriers. There is a maximum of two pets per passenger.
• 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. Booking early also lets you buy cheap train tickets, especially on sites like TrainPal.
• Children: Under 5’s can travel for free. Children aged 5 to 15 can save 50% on their tickets. Booking in advance using TrainPal helps ensure families can sit together. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
• Passenger Assist: Provide ramps for boarding and alighting trains, guide you through the station, help find and reserve seats, and assist with luggage.

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