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Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath train times and prices
Plan your journey from Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath with ease. Explore the first and last train times, departure and arrival stations, distance, journey time, and price options to make the most of your trip.
Price*
From €54.96
Departure station
Arrival station
Journey time
2h 38m
Distance
83 miles (134km)
First/last train
04:21 / 09:49
Frequency
20
Train operators
* Note: Lowest prices are based on an analysis of recent historical pricing data. Live fares fluctuate based on demand and how far in advance you book.
7-day train ticket price trend
Travelling from Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath by train? Find fares from as low as €54.96. Benefit from Advance tickets, Off-Peak train tickets, and Railcards for extra savings. Enjoy the most cost-effective and pleasant journey with TrainPal. For more tips on saving money, visit our UK cheap train ticket guide.
Cheapest
€54.96
On Tue 10
Live timetable and departures
From Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath, take the fastest train in 2h 38m, typically 2h 52m. Daily, 20 trains depart from Cardiff Central, with the first at 04:21 and the last at 09:49. Check real-time updates for train times, delays, and cancellations. TrainPal saves you time, effort, and money.
| Departs | Arrives | Operator | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
07:45 Cardiff Central | 2h 40m, 2 change | 10:25 Cradley Heath | CrossCountry | Find tickets |
07:49 Cardiff Central | 3h 6m, 3 change | 10:55 Cradley Heath | Great Western Railway | Find tickets |
08:10 Cardiff Central | 3h 15m, 2 change | 11:25 Cradley Heath | Transport for Wales | Find tickets |
08:18 Cardiff Central | 3h 7m, 3 change | 11:25 Cradley Heath | Great Western Railway | Find tickets |
08:45 Cardiff Central | 3h 10m, 2 change | 11:55 Cradley Heath | CrossCountry | Find tickets |
View More Trains
Compare train operators from Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath
- LNR & WMR
- CrossCountry
- Great Western Railway
London Northwestern Railway (LNR) operates commuter and regional services along the West Coast Main Line, connecting London Euston, Birmingham New Street and Liverpool Lime Street, with direct Manchester Airport extensions being introduced through 2027.
Since entering public ownership in February 2026, the operator has focused on capacity, affordability and modernisation, with Class 730 trains adding 42,000 seats.
Standard
Seat reservations are not available
Standard commuter seating with a mix of airline-style rows and four-seat table clusters
Power sockets at selected table seats on specific sub-classes
Standard overhead carriage air conditioning
No trolley service; passengers can bring their own food and drink
Dedicated power and USB sockets at every seat*
Free onboard Wi-Fi*
*Valid on modern commuter trains of Class 730
Luggage
Onboard facilities
Bike
TrainPal's Travel Expert Experience
"When choosing between LNR departures, check the calling points instead of assuming trains on the same route will take the same time. Services can have different stopping patterns, so a departure that leaves later may still offer a quicker overall journey. This is useful on longer trips where a few additional stops can add significant time."
"Birmingham New Street is one of the main interchange points on the network, so leave enough time for a connection. If your timetable is flexible, travelling outside the busiest commuter periods can also make it easier to find a seat, especially on trains serving London Euston."
Essential onboard policies
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Luggage
- Most UK train operators allow passengers to bring a reasonable amount of luggage free of charge.
- This is commonly considered three items per passenger, typically 2 larger bags and 1 smaller bag. Larger items cover suitcases, backpacks, and other similarly-sized items.
- Bags go in overhead racks, under seats, or in designated floor-level luggage stacks.
- Occasionally, some providers have stricter policies, such as Lumo, which enforces a limit of 1 medium suitcase and 1 small under-seat bag per person.
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Bicycle
- Standard bicycles and folding bikes are generally allowed.
- Bike reservations are required on some services and are usually free.
- Some operators also permit tandems and e-bikes.
- Please note that e-scooters, motorcycles, tricycles, and bicycle trailers are not permitted.
- We strongly recommend checking the specific cycle policy on your train operator's website before you travel.
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Children
- Children under 5 usually travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying passenger.
- Children aged 5–15 get 50% off, and 16-year-olds can use the 16-17 Saver Railcard for 50% off.
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Pets
- Each provider generally allows up to two animals per passenger free of charge, but individual operators can have additional restrictions.
- Throughout the journey, dogs must be on a lead, and any other pets must remain in their carrier.
- Animals are not permitted on seats or in restaurant carriages.
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Passenger assistance
- Passengers with disabilities or additional needs can arrange free assistance with their train operator.
- This includes help at the station, boarding and leaving the train, and making connections. Assistance can also include ramps for wheelchair users and help finding accessible facilities or the correct platform.
- Wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets are available on many trains, although facilities vary by service.
- To ensure support is available for your journey, this service should be booked in advance.
Departing from Cardiff Central
Address:
Central Square, Cardiff, CF10 1EP, United Kingdom
Public Transport Links:
Bus: Cardiff Bus Interchange is right by the station on Central Square and has 14 bus stands. Destinations include Llandaff, Penarth and Rhiwbina.
Taxi pick-up and drop-off: Cabs can pick you up and drop you off at the main taxi rank on Saunders Road off Central Square.
Platforms:
Eight platforms, numbered 0-4 and 6-8. Access to platform 0 is near M&S, whereas the other platforms can be reached from the two subways. Longer-distance regional and national services operated by Transport for Wales (TfW), Great Western Railway (GWR) and Cross Country tend to use platforms 0-4. Platforms 6-8 handle Valleys & Cardiff Local Routes serving the north of the city, the Valleys and the Vale of Glamorgan.
TrainPal's Travel Expert Experience
"On event days, the station gets extremely busy, and queue management systems are put in place. The regular routes through the main ticket barriers and subway can be cordoned off, meaning passengers may need to follow temporary one-way systems to move around the station or reach platform 1. Allow extra time and check local station staff directions on the day."
FAQs about Cardiff Central Station
When does Cardiff Central open?
Cardiff Central station opens at 04:00 from Monday to Saturday and at 07:00 on Sundays.
How far is Principality Stadium from Cardiff Central station?
Principality Stadium is only five minutes away from Cardiff Central on foot.
Does Cardiff Central station have luggage storage?
No, there are no lockers or left luggage facilities at Cardiff Central station.
What shops are at Cardiff Central station?
Outlets at Cardiff Central station include M&S, Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen and Costa.
Where are the toilets at Cardiff Central station?
Platforms 1-7 have male and female toilets (except platforms 6 and 7, which only have male toilets). Accessible toilets are located by the south entrance and in the eastern subway (RADAR key required).
Delay Repay & Refund Policies from Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath
Apply for LNR & WMR Delay Repay
London Northwestern Railway calculates Delay Repay compensation according to how late you arrive at your destination compared with the scheduled timetable, but doesn’t provide compensation for delays under 15 minutes.
15 to 29 minutes: 25% of a single ticket or 12.5% of a return ticket
30 to 59 minutes: 50% of a single ticket or 25% of a return ticket
60 to 119 minutes: 100% of a single ticket or 50% of a return ticket
120 minutes or more: 100% of the ticket cost for either a single or return ticket
Season and Flexi Season ticket compensation is calculated proportionally using a prorated daily travel cost.
Apply for CrossCountry Delay Repay
CrossCountry calculates Delay Repay compensation according to how late you arrive at your final destination, regardless of the cause of the delay. It operates under Delay Repay 30, so delays of less than 30 minutes are not eligible.
30 to 59 minutes: 50% of a single ticket, 25% of a return ticket, or 50% of the journey cost of a Season Ticket
60 to 119 minutes: 100% of a single ticket, 50% of a return ticket, or 100% of the journey cost of a Season Ticket
120 minutes or more: 100% of the total ticket cost, whether single, return or Season Ticket
Apply for Great Western Railway Delay Repay
If your Great Western Railway train is delayed, you can claim compensation depending on the length of your delay:
15–29 minutes: 25% of a single ticket, 12.5% of a return ticket or 25% of the % cost of a Season ticket journey.
30–59 minutes: 50% of a single ticket, 25% of a return ticket or 50% of the % cost of a Season ticket journey.
60–119 minutes: 100% of a single ticket, 50% of a return ticket or 100% of the % cost of a Season ticket journey.
Over 120 minutes: 100% of a single ticket, 100% of a return ticket or 200% of the % cost of a Season ticket journey. (Note: Two separate Advance Single tickets do not count as a return; you can only claim for the specific delayed ticket).
FAQ
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How much is a train from Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath?
Tickets from Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath typically cost €69.27, but can be as cheap as €54.96 when booked in advance. Other factors that may affect the ticket price include time of day and ticket type, so be sure to research before purchasing.
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How long is the train from Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath?
The journey should take, on average, 2h 52m, though it can be as quick as 2h 38m when booking specific services. Be sure to click the "Fastest" tab when searching your route to find out.
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Is there a direct train from Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath?
There is no direct service between Cardiff Central and Cradley Heath. Instead, when browsing routes, you will see our recommendations for changeover stations that are the most convenient and time-efficient.
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How far in advance can I book my train from Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath?
You can typically book tickets from Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath up to 12 weeks before departure.
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Do Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath trains offer Wi-Fi?
Yes, most trains on the route from Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath are equipped with Wi-Fi, as well as power sockets at your seat. However, please note that the availability of these services can vary depending on the train compan.
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How far is Cardiff Central from Cradley Heath?
The distance between Cardiff Central and Cradley Heath is approximately 83 miles (134km), depending on the specific stations you travel between.
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How frequent are trains from Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath?
There is 20 train running from Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath per day. Please note that trains run more regularly during peak hours.
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How can I buy the cheapest tickets from Cardiff Central to Cradley Heath?
To get the cheapest ticket, we recommend buying in advance, as early as 12 weeks before departure. We'd also strongly suggest travelling during off-peak hours where possible and getting a Railcard, which typically offers ⅓ off your ticket cost and is available to most travellers!
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How do I check if my train is delayed or cancelled?
Keep a close eye on your journey via the TrainPal app, which offers real-time information on train status and notifications of any train strikes that will impact you.
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Can my tickets be refunded or changed?
In the UK, refund and change policies for train tickets vary by type. Advance tickets are generally non-refundable but may be changeable for a fee. Flexible tickets, like Anytime and Off-Peak tickets, offer more options for refunds and changes. Review the specific terms and conditions of your ticket or refer to UK train ticket types for precise details.
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* Prices are dynamic and subject to change. Ticket prices vary based on time of day, route, and class. This pricing does not apply to discounted Split tickets and Railcards.
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