Compare prices from over 270 rail and coach companies in Europe
Buy your tickets with us and easily find them on your phone
Safely pay with PayPal, Visa and all international payment cards
is Europe’s leading platform for train and bus tickets
Looking for the cheapest date to travel?
Within 7 days
Outbound fromWithin 1 month
Outbound fromWithin 3 months
Outbound fromCarlisle to Cardiff Central by train
It takes an average of 7h 28m to travel from Carlisle to Cardiff Central by train, over a distance of around 236 miles (380 km). There are normally 49 trains per day travelling from Carlisle to Cardiff Central and tickets for this journey start from £36.60 when you book in advance.
| First train | 04:43 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 22:04 | |
| Departure station | Carlisle | |
| Arrival station | Cardiff Central | |
| Journey time | From 4h 30m | |
| Distance | 236 miles (380 km) | |
| Frequency | 49 trains per day | |
| Changes | 1 change | |
| Price | From £36.60 | |
| Train operators | CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, TransPennine Express, East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, London North Eastern Railway, Transport for Wales |
How to travel from Carlisle to Cardiff Central by train
Want to find out more about taking the train from Carlisle to Cardiff Central? Look no further.
You'll usually find 49 trains per day running between Carlisle and Cardiff Central, which usually take 7 hours 28 minutes to complete the 236 miles (380 km) journey. It can take as little as 4 hours 30 minutes on the fastest services though, if you want to get there as quickly as possible. Although there aren't any direct services on this line, it's still easy to travel to Cardiff Central by train, you'll just need to make 1 change along the way. London North Eastern Railway, Avanti West Coast or Great Western Railway are the main rail operators on this route, all of which offer modern trains with plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating.
Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices and we'll show you how much you can save. Tickets from Carlisle to Cardiff Central start from £36.60 when you book in advance. Travelling Off-Peak or using a Railcard can also help you save.
Keen to book your train tickets to Cardiff Central? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train timetable with live train times above, and tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs further down the page.
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from Carlisle to Cardiff Central? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Carlisle to Cardiff Central take?
The average journey time by train between Carlisle and Cardiff Central is 7 hours and 28 minutes, with around 49 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between Carlisle and Cardiff Central by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Carlisle to Cardiff Central is 4 hours and 30 minutes.
How much does the train from Carlisle to Cardiff Central cost?
Train ticket prices from Carlisle to Cardiff Central can start from as little as £36.60 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.
Is there a direct train from Carlisle to Cardiff Central?
No, there are no direct train services from Carlisle to Cardiff Central. Travelling from Carlisle to Cardiff Central by train will require a minimum of 1 change.
What time does the first train from Carlisle to Cardiff Central leave?
The first train from Carlisle to Cardiff Central leaves at 04:43. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Carlisle to Cardiff Central leave?
The last train from Carlisle to Cardiff Central leaves at 22:04. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Carlisle and Cardiff Central by train?
Trains travelling from Carlisle to Cardiff Central cover a distance of around 236 miles (380 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Cardiff Central to Carlisle.
Cheap train tickets from Carlisle to Cardiff Central
Book in advance
Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.
Consider a Season Ticket
If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Carlisle to Cardiff Central is right for you.
Use your Railcard
National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.
Split your tickets
Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.
For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.