Cardiff Central to London Paddington Trains From £39.00*

It takes approximately one hour and fifty minutes to get from Cardiff Central to London Paddington with Great Western Railway (GWR). On your journey, you'll head east, across Wales and England, towards Greater London before arriving at one of London's most well-known railway stations.

Great Western Railway offers services that run across the West of England and South Wales, serving destinations like Swansea, Cardiff, Bristol, and Newport, along with inter-city trains to London Paddington and the wider Thames Valley region.

Departing from Cardiff Central

Cardiff Central is an extremely accessible station to reach. Located on Central Square right in the city centre, the station is flanked by Cardiff Bus Station and local taxis can drop you off on Saunders Road, too, which is just off Central Square. Meaning you can get there from anywhere in Cardiff or the surrounding areas quickly and conveniently.

The station itself has three leading train operators, these are: Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales, and CrossCountry, which serve routes around Wales and into England.

Main stops

There are four main stops from Cardiff Central to London Paddington when travelling with GWR. These are: Newport, Bristol Parkway, Swindon, and Reading. These stations may change due to scheduling alterations, adverse weather conditions, engineering works, or a variety of other unforeseen circumstances. So, it's best to double-check before you travel, just in case.

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Arriving at London Paddington

The train from Cardiff Central arrives at London Paddington, one of the city's most iconic train stations and was made famous by its eponymously named bear - Paddington Bear, whose name comes from the name of this station. This station, served by GWR, the Elizabeth Line, and the Heathrow Express, is located between Notting Hill and Marylebone. It is a key station on the UK's rail network, serving as the terminus of the Great Western Mainline. This line connects Cardiff Central and London Paddington, as well as other destinations such as Bristol and Swansea.

It's also well-connected to public transport, helping you explore London more quickly or get to your final destination faster. London Paddington Station has a dedicated tube station that serves the Circle, District, Bakerloo, and Hammersmith & City lines, as well as local buses and taxis near the station's main entrance.

Arriving at London Paddington Station puts you in a great place for a stroll, as it's only a few minutes from Hyde Park and Kensington Palace, and then only a few minutes further to Buckingham Palace and its adjacent park, Green Park. It's also close to the Royal Albert Hall if you're visiting for a concert, or the Natural History Museum if you'd like to know more about nature. Portobello Road Market and The Sherlock Holmes Museum are close by, too.

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: Children under the age of 5 can travel without charge, while those between 5 and 15 years old get a 50% discount on their tickets. The Family & Friends Railcard provides up to a one-third reduction on family ticket prices.
• 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.