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Travelling from Cardiff Central to Swansea, the fastest train takes 50 minutes with an average travel time of 55 minutes. 47 trains are running daily, with the first departing at 01:11 and the last at 23:51. Stay updated with live train status, times, delays, and cancellations on TrainPal.
| Departs | Arrives | Operator | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
05:35 Cardiff Central | 1 hour 16 minutes, Direct | 06:51 Swansea | Transport for Wales | Find tickets |
06:39 Cardiff Central | 51 minutes, Direct | 07:30 Swansea | Great Western Railway | Find tickets |
06:43 Cardiff Central | 1 hour 12 minutes, Direct | 07:55 Swansea | Transport for Wales | Find tickets |
07:21 Cardiff Central | 56 minutes, Direct | 08:17 Swansea | Transport for Wales | Find tickets |
07:45 Cardiff Central | 1 hour 14 minutes, Direct | 08:59 Swansea | Transport for Wales | Find tickets |
Travel from Cardiff Central to Swansea in under one hour on fast, affordable direct routes with Transport for Wales (TfW).
Whether you’re travelling for business or leisure, take the train between these two Welsh hotspots on frequent services that get you from Cardiff to Swansea without the stress of driving.
The journey takes you through beautiful south Wales, passing through Port Talbot, Bridgend, and miles of Welsh countryside before arriving in the capital city. Whatever your travel plans, get the best prices when you buy cheap train tickets with TrainPal.
Transport for Wales is a publicly owned train operating company, which manages 248 National Rail stations, and operates all passenger mainline services wholly within Wales.
From Cardiff Central to Swansea, you’ll have no trouble starting your journey at the largest and busiest station in Wales.
Set in a magnificent Grade II listed building, the station is also well equipped with all the amenities you need before you board, from comfortable waiting rooms and seating areas, to accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. There are also a variety of shops and refreshments should you wish to purchase supplies before your journey.
Getting to Cardiff Central is easy on Cardiff’s array of local buses. Conveniently located in the city centre, right next to the Principality Stadium, walking to Cardiff Central is also easy from around the city centre.
The Transport for Wales service from Cardiff Central to Swansea stops at Bridgend, Port Talbot Parkway, and Neath, before arriving at Swansea. After this, the train continues to Milford Haven, via Llanelli, Pembrey & Burry Port, Kidwelly, Ferryside, Carmarthen, Clunderwen, and Haverfordwest, among others.
Swansea Station is the arrival point for passengers travelling to the city from Cardiff. Located to the north of Swansea city centre, the station is the third busiest in Wales, after Cardiff Central and Newport.
When arriving at Swansea Station, you will have access to a range of refreshment counters and shops, plus seating areas and accessibility features like step-free access and induction loops that allow everyone to have a comfortable start to their journey.
Bicycle hire is available from the station, while local buses and taxis can take you to wherever you want to go in Swansea. For onward travel, take trains from Swansea to other major cities like London, Newport (South Wales), and Carmarthen.
Another way to get from Cardiff to Swansea is to take the direct route operated by Great Western Railway, which also takes passengers between these major cities in under one hour.
Great Western Railway is a train operating company that offers a mix of long-distance, regional and commuter services around the Southwest of England and South Wales.
The direct route from Cardiff Central to Swansea with Great Western Railway typically calls at Bridgend, Port Talbot Parkway, Neath, and Swansea, your destination. Exact stops may vary according to the train times and route.
GWR offers two classes of train tickets, so every passenger can choose the price and seat type that suits their travel requirements:
On direct Great Western Railway routes from Cardiff Central to Swansea, enjoy comfortable travel, generous luggage allowances and child discounts. Here’s what you need to know:
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.
The train journey from Cardiff Central to Swansea combines efficiency with pleasure, featuring beautiful scenery and comfort. With frequent departures from Cardiff Central, you can get to Swansea in just 50 minutes, making it an ideal and convenient choice for travelling between them.

The fastest train journey time from Cardiff Central to Swansea is 50 minutes . Use our Train Journey Planner to find direct trains, avoid transfers, and compare travel times for each route to see if there are fewer stops to make your journey seamless.
No, there are no direct trains from Cardiff Central to Swansea. However, you can still find the best train options using the TrainPal Train Journey Planner. Simply enter your departure and arrival stations to see all available train services and plan your trip

Cardiff Central to Swansea trains are generally punctual, but delays or cancellations can occur due to weather, strikes, and other factors. After purchasing a ticket, use TrainPal to track live train updates. Before buying a ticket, our Train Journey Planner provides all necessary booking information. Simply enter your departure and arrival stations, click 'Search,' and view routes labelled 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest,' with all details displayed.
It’s recommended to reach the train station 15-20 minutes before your train is set to leave. This gives you sufficient time to locate your platform, particularly in larger stations. Arriving early is also beneficial if you need to collect tickets or find your way around an unfamiliar station, helping to minimise any potential stress.
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Check our Train Journey Planner, which provides detailed information about transfers to ensure your journey is uninterrupted, saving you time and effort, and allowing you to get a full rest for travelling.

Get easy and quick access to live updates and notifications via the TrainPal app. If your phone is enabled to receive messages from us, you'll receive notifications about train cancellations on your screen as soon as you pick up your phone
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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.
* By combining Advance Ticket offers with split tickets, you’ll get lower fares when you book at least one week before travel (excluding Anytime fares bought on the day of travel). Availability depends on the specific route and cannot be combined with other promotions.