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From London Paddington to Cardiff Central, take the fastest train in 1h 43m, typically 1h 51m. Daily, 34 trains depart from London Paddington, with the first at 05:23 and the last at 23:32. During Off-Peak times starting at 09:30 on weekdays, enjoy a quieter space with fewer people. Check real-time updates for train times, delays, and cancellations. We save you time, effort, and money.
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| Departs | Arrives | Status | Duration | Operator | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
05:23 London Paddington | 08:05 Cardiff Central | On time | 2h 42m | Great Western Railway | Find tickets | |
06:48 London Paddington | 08:39 Cardiff Central | On time | 1h 51m | Great Western Railway | Find tickets | |
07:12 London Paddington | 09:08 Cardiff Central | On time | 1h 56m | Great Western Railway | Find tickets | |
07:48 London Paddington | 09:35 Cardiff Central | On time | 1h 47m | Great Western Railway | Find tickets | |
08:18 London Paddington | 10:09 Cardiff Central | On time | 1h 51m | Great Western Railway | Find tickets |
Plan your journey from London Paddington to Cardiff Central 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.
| First train | 05:23 |
|---|---|
| Last train | 23:32 |
| Departure station | London Paddington |
| Arrival station | Cardiff Central |
| Distance | 129 miles (208 km) |
| Journey time | From 1h 43m |
| Price | From £16.15 |
| Train operators | CrossCountry, Great Western Railway |
Check the addresses of London Paddington and Cardiff Central, and review the amenities available at each location. With us, receive live updates on train departure and arrival times, ensuring you have accurate information for a seamless travel experience.
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Ticket buying and collection
Toilets
Seating Facilities
Public Wi-Fi
Bicycle Parking
It takes, on average, around one hour and forty-nine minutes to get from London Paddington to Cardiff Central with Great Western Railway (GWR). On your journey, you will glide across the breadth of England and into Wales, heading from London in the east to Cardiff in the west.
Great Western Railway provides services to the West of England and South Wales and inter-city trains to West London and the greater Thames Valley.
Paddington Station sits between Notting Hill in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Marylebone in the City of Westminster. This key station on the British rail network, served by Great Western Railway, the Elizabeth Line, and Heathrow Express, acts as the terminus for the Great Western Mainline. It connects London with the west of England, destinations in Wales such as Swansea and Cardiff Central, and provides commuting and regional passenger services in West London and the Thames Valley region.
Being a central London railway station, it’s easy to get to. Paddington Station has a dedicated London Underground station that runs on the Circle, District, Bakerloo, and Hammersmith & City lines. The station is conveniently served by local taxis and buses, making it simple and easy to catch your train.
When travelling with GWR from London Paddington to Cardiff Central, the route usually includes four stations: Reading, Swindon, Bristol Parkway, and Newport.
However, this may change, so it's best to double-check before travelling. Scheduling changes, poor weather, and construction work may cause stops to change, sometimes at short notice.
To buy cheap train tickets, use sites like TrainPal to find the best fares, apply for a Railcard for extra discounts, and book your journey in advance.
The train from London Paddington will arrive at Cardiff Central, the Welsh capital’s main station. Located on Central Square, it allows passengers to access Cardiff City Centre promptly. If you need to travel around the city or the wider metropolitan area, Cardiff Bus Station is conveniently located on Central Square. There is a taxi rank situated on Saunders Road, just off Central Square, too.
You’ll want to make use of Cardiff’s great public transport network, too, as there’s so much to do in the city. Being one of the UK’s four capitals, there’s a lot of history to explore. Cardiff Castle, St Fagans National Museum of History, and the National Museum Cardiff are all excellent places to start. If you feel like shopping, then head to one of the city’s moniker Victorian arcades. If you don’t mind travelling further afield, then the Wales Millennium Centre is a great place to visit for shopping, pubs, restaurants, and cultural activities.
There are three main train operators at Cardiff Central. These are Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales, and CrossCountry, providing train services to places like Swansea, Taunton, Nottingham, and Manchester Piccadilly.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.
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† Railcards offer discounted train tickets, with various types based on age and number of travellers. Enjoy up to 1/3 off for a cheaper journey. The actual price will vary based on factors such as the train service, time, and ticket availability.
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