Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central Trains From £51.50*

Travel direct from Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central with trains from Transport for Wales. With hourly trains making around the 3 hr 15 min journey, you’ll have plenty of time to relax as you swap the “Capital of the North” for the Welsh capital.

Enjoy views of the rolling hills of Shropshire and glimpses of the Black Mountains as you pass through Abergavenny towards South Wales.

Transport for Wales is a rail franchise operating routes throughout Wales with some English cross-border routes, such as to Liverpool, Manchester, Crewe and beyond.

Departing from Manchester Piccadilly

Piccadilly station is located in the Piccadilly area of Manchester city, just south-east of the city centre. Depending on your starting point, you’ll have several options for getting there: the Metrolink tram is located below the main line platforms for access from various parts of the city and Greater Manchester, many bus routes serve the station, and walking is also an option, as the station is just a 15-minute walk from Arndale Shopping Centre.

Piccadilly station is served by a number of railway operators, including Avanti West Coast, Transport for Wales, East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express and Northern. These operators offer connections across the entire UK, to destinations such as Manchester Airport, London, Leeds and Birmingham.

Main stops

The direct train from Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central will call at numerous stops along the way, including Crewe, Shrewsbury, Craven Arms, Hereford, Abergavenny and Newport, among others. Exact stops will vary, so be sure to consult train details for your specific service.

Arriving at Cardiff Central

Your destination, Cardiff Central, is located at Central Square in Cardiff city centre. It is the busiest station in Wales and serves as a key station on the South Wales Main Line and a major interchange for routes to London, Manchester and other major cities.

Cardiff Central station boasts a beautiful Grade II-listed exterior and a location that lands passengers right in the heart of the action. Just a five-minute walk from the station, you’ll find Cardiff Central Market, housed under a stunning Victorian glass roof. From fruit & veg and butchers to local arts & crafts, your needs will be met whether you’re after some light retail therapy or just some window shopping.

Transport for Wales train classes

TfW offers both Standard Class and First Class tickets on select journeys between Cardiff and Holyhead and Cardiff and Manchester.

• Standard Class: Comfortable seating with priority seating system, as well as charging sockets, Wi-Fi and catering on some services.
• First Class: TfW’s Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central’s First Class train tickets include spacious seats and free refreshments and snacks, with the option to upgrade to a fine dining experience on some services.

Book in advance on TrainPal to ensure you get the best deal on train tickets from Manchester to Cardiff.

Transport for Wales train travel advice

Follow our advice for travelling from Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff with Transport for Wales and enjoy a seamless train experience.

• Luggage: You may bring two larger luggage items to be stored in designated luggage areas and one small item that can go under the seat in front of you, in the overhead racks or on your lap.
• Bicycles: Bikes are allowed on board. Reserving a space is recommended. Unreserved bikes may board on a first-come, first-served basis. E-scooters are banned from stations and trains.
• Children: Under 11s travel free at any time when accompanied, children aged 11–15 can travel free at off-peak times. Adults travelling with a Family and Friends Railcard must pay for one child between 5 and 15 to be eligible for the discount. 
• Pets: Max. of 2 pets per passenger travel free. Dogs must be kept on a lead unless kept in an enclosed basket. All other pets must be transported in an enclosed basket.
• Passenger Assist: TfW’s assisted travel service can be booked in advance for passengers requiring extra help. Passengers may also “turn up and go” without booking.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.