How to get from Cardiff to Leicester

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What is the best way to travel from Cardiff to Leicester?

Looking for a trip? Check and compare all the available Buses, Trains and Flights to Leicester from Cardiff. Look at different modes of transportation, search for the cheapest tickets, fastest rides and most popular stations, and see all 5 available companies to find your perfect trip!
Bus is the cheapest, while Train is the fastest way on this route
Transport type
Travel time
Cheapest price
Average price
Daily departures
Bus
4h 35m
£22
£31
41
Train
3h 21m
£40
£86
6
Flight
4h 35m
£41
£83
10

What is the cheapest way to reach Leicester from Cardiff?

You can reach Leicester with just £22 by taking a Bus from FlixBus, but there are many more cheap offers: we have selected the best ones for you for the next few days here.

Sunday
from £30
Monday
from £26
Tuesday
from £22
Wednesday
from £28
Thursday
Friday
from £32
Saturday

    Cheapest Buses Sunday

  • FlixBus
    8h 5m
    0
    16:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    00:50
    Leicester
    Fosse Park
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £30
  • FlixBus
    8h 25m
    0
    16:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    01:10
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £30
  • National Express
    5h 40m
    0
    13:45
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    19:25
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £32
  • National Express
    6h 25m
    0
    17:25
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    23:50
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £32

    • Cheapest Trains Sunday

  • CrossCountry
    3h 28m
    0
    13:45
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    17:13
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    CrossCountry
    Economy
    from £51
  • Transport for Wales
    3h 41m
    0
    14:29
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    18:10
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    Transport for Wales
    Economy
    from £75
  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
    3h 30m
    0
    12:20
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    15:50
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    Great Western Railway (GWR)
    Economy
    from £107
  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
    3h 30m
    0
    13:20
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    16:50
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    Great Western Railway (GWR)
    Economy
    from £107

    Cheapest Buses Monday

  • FlixBus
    7h 35m
    0
    02:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    10:20
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £26
  • FlixBus
    8h 25m
    0
    03:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    12:10
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £26
  • FlixBus
    7h 30m
    0
    06:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    14:15
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £26
  • National Express
    5h 40m
    0
    13:45
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    19:25
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £32

    • Cheapest Trains Monday

  • CrossCountry
    3h 25m
    0
    08:45
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    12:10
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    CrossCountry
    Economy
    from £40
  • CrossCountry
    3h 25m
    0
    09:45
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    13:10
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    CrossCountry
    Economy
    from £57
  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
    3h 33m
    0
    08:18
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    11:51
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    Great Western Railway (GWR)
    Economy
    from £107
  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
    3h 31m
    0
    09:19
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    12:50
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    Great Western Railway (GWR)
    Economy
    from £107

    Cheapest Buses Tuesday

  • FlixBus
    7h 35m
    0
    02:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    10:20
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £22
  • FlixBus
    8h 25m
    0
    03:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    12:10
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £22
  • FlixBus
    8h 45m
    0
    07:10
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    15:55
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £22
  • National Express
    4h 35m
    0
    08:20
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    12:55
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £30

    Cheapest Buses Wednesday

  • National Express
    4h 35m
    0
    08:20
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    12:55
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £28
  • National Express
    5h 45m
    0
    13:40
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    19:25
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £28
  • National Express
    5h 5m
    0
    11:20
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    16:25
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £30
  • National Express
    6h 40m
    0
    17:10
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    23:50
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £30

    • Cheapest Flights Wednesday

  • Ryanair
    7h 15m
    0
    07:55
    Cardiff Airport
    Cardiff Airport
    15:10
    East Midlands Airport
    East Midlands Airport
    0
    Ryanair
    Economy
    from £41
  • Ryanair
    4h 35m
    0
    14:10
    Bristol Airport
    Bristol Airport
    18:45
    East Midlands Airport
    East Midlands Airport
    0
    Ryanair
    Economy
    from £71
  • Eastern Air Lines (2011)
    6h 50m
    0
    08:20
    Bristol Airport
    Bristol Airport
    15:10
    East Midlands Airport
    East Midlands Airport
    0
    Eastern Air Lines (2011)
    Economy
    from £82
  • EasyJet Airline
    9h 15m
    0
    07:00
    Bristol Airport
    Bristol Airport
    16:15
    East Midlands Airport
    East Midlands Airport
    0
    EasyJet Airline
    Economy
    from £102

    Cheapest Buses Friday

  • FlixBus
    8h 25m
    0
    16:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    01:10
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £32
  • FlixBus
    8h 5m
    0
    16:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    00:50
    Leicester
    Fosse Park
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £33
  • FlixBus
    8h 0m
    0
    03:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    11:45
    Leicester
    Fosse Park
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £34
  • National Express
    4h 55m
    0
    11:20
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    16:15
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £45

What are the fastest trips from Cardiff to Leicester?

You can get to Leicester from Cardiff in just 3h 21m with a Train from Great Western Railway (GWR). But this is just one option, click on any of the offers below to compare it with the other available modes of transportations.

Sunday
from 3h 28m
Monday
from 3h 21m
Tuesday
from 4h 35m
Wednesday
from 4h 35m
Thursday
Friday
from 4h 55m
Saturday

    Fastest Trains Sunday

  • CrossCountry
    3h 28m
    0
    13:45
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    17:13
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    CrossCountry
    Economy
    from £51
  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
    3h 30m
    0
    12:20
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    15:50
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    Great Western Railway (GWR)
    Economy
    from £107
  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
    3h 30m
    0
    13:20
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    16:50
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    Great Western Railway (GWR)
    Economy
    from £107
  • Transport for Wales
    3h 41m
    0
    14:29
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    18:10
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    Transport for Wales
    Economy
    from £75

    • Fastest Buses Sunday

  • National Express
    4h 55m
    0
    11:20
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    16:15
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £33
  • National Express
    5h 40m
    0
    13:45
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    19:25
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £32
  • National Express
    6h 25m
    0
    17:25
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    23:50
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £32
  • FlixBus
    8h 5m
    0
    16:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    00:50
    Leicester
    Fosse Park
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £30

    Fastest Trains Monday

  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
    3h 21m
    0
    09:49
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    13:10
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    Great Western Railway (GWR)
    Economy
    from £107
  • CrossCountry
    3h 25m
    0
    08:45
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    12:10
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    CrossCountry
    Economy
    from £40
  • CrossCountry
    3h 25m
    0
    09:45
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    13:10
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    CrossCountry
    Economy
    from £57
  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
    3h 31m
    0
    09:19
    Cardiff
    Central Station
    12:50
    Leicester
    Central Station
    0
    Great Western Railway (GWR)
    Economy
    from £107

    • Fastest Buses Monday

  • National Express
    5h 5m
    0
    11:20
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    16:25
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £34
  • National Express
    5h 40m
    0
    13:45
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    19:25
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £32
  • FlixBus
    7h 30m
    0
    06:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    14:15
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £26
  • FlixBus
    7h 35m
    0
    02:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    10:20
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £26

    Fastest Buses Tuesday

  • National Express
    4h 35m
    0
    08:20
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    12:55
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £30
  • National Express
    5h 45m
    0
    13:40
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    19:25
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £30
  • FlixBus
    7h 35m
    0
    02:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    10:20
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £22
  • FlixBus
    8h 25m
    0
    03:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    12:10
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £22

    Fastest Buses Wednesday

  • National Express
    4h 35m
    0
    08:20
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    12:55
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £28
  • National Express
    5h 5m
    0
    11:20
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    16:25
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £30
  • National Express
    5h 45m
    0
    13:40
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    19:25
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £28
  • National Express
    6h 40m
    0
    17:10
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    23:50
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £30

    • Fastest Flights Wednesday

  • Ryanair
    4h 35m
    0
    14:10
    Bristol Airport
    Bristol Airport
    18:45
    East Midlands Airport
    East Midlands Airport
    0
    Ryanair
    Economy
    from £71
  • Eastern Air Lines (2011)
    6h 50m
    0
    08:20
    Bristol Airport
    Bristol Airport
    15:10
    East Midlands Airport
    East Midlands Airport
    0
    Eastern Air Lines (2011)
    Economy
    from £82
  • Ryanair
    7h 15m
    0
    07:55
    Cardiff Airport
    Cardiff Airport
    15:10
    East Midlands Airport
    East Midlands Airport
    0
    Ryanair
    Economy
    from £41
  • EasyJet Airline
    9h 15m
    0
    07:00
    Bristol Airport
    Bristol Airport
    16:15
    East Midlands Airport
    East Midlands Airport
    0
    EasyJet Airline
    Economy
    from £102

    Fastest Buses Friday

  • National Express
    4h 55m
    0
    11:20
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    16:15
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £45
  • National Express
    5h 40m
    0
    13:45
    Cardiff
    Coach Station
    19:25
    Leicester
    St. Margaret's Bus Station
    0
    National Express
    Economy
    £45
  • FlixBus
    8h 0m
    0
    03:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    11:45
    Leicester
    Fosse Park
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £34
  • FlixBus
    8h 5m
    0
    16:45
    Cardiff
    Kingsway Coach Stop
    00:50
    Leicester
    Fosse Park
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    £33
Here you will find all operators and timetables for a Bus from Cardiff to Leicester

What are the most popular stations in Cardiff and Leicester?

In Cardiff, you will usually depart from Central Station, Dingle Road Train Station or Penarth Train Station, while in Leicester you will be arriving at Central Station, Fosse Park or St. Margaret's Bus Station, but there are many more stops to explore in both locations.

How do I decide? Some tips and tricks from our experience

Are you having trouble deciding on how to get to Leicester from Cardiff? With 8 connections between 5 Bus, Train and Flight operators, it can be difficult to find the one ride that will make you happy. But we have some tips that can help you make the best informed decision. First of all, the best trip is always the one that meets all your needs, so make a list of all the things that you want from this journey and look for something that will satisfy all of them. Here we will go through some of the factors mostly commonly taken into consideration.

Look for the lowest price

Ticket price is usually the main concern: even if you can afford to pay more, why do it if there are cheaper options? Saving on the trip means that you can spend more on the vacation itself! Between Cardiff and Leicester, you can pay as low as £22 with a Bus from FlixBus.

Travel duration

Time is also an important factor. An earlier departure may allow you to see a beautiful sunset or relax before an important event. And remember, time is money, so paying more for a shorter trip may be well worth it. For longer distances, flights are without doubt the best options, but be mindful of airport times and possible delays: a high-speed train may end up cheaper and faster! Here the quicker option is definitely the Train from Great Western Railway (GWR): you will get to Leicester in just 3h 21m.

Comfort makes all the difference

You should always take into account what your personal travelling preferences are. Is one hand luggage enough, or are you trasporting more? Would you like to have a snack during the journey? Can you relax in a busy compartment, or do you need space for yourself? Even among the same mode of transportation, different companies will offer you varying levels of comfort and amenities. The main operators connecting Cardiff and Leicester are National Express, FlixBus and Great Western Railway (GWR), but be sure to check what they have to offer!

Save money with deals, and always compare

One last tip? Even if you live in Cardiff and Leicester is your only destination, it may be wise to check the offers from and to nearby cities or, if you are flyng, nearby airports. Check the trips from Newlyn or to Oadby, and look at flights from Cardiff Airport, and landing at East Midlands Airport. Comparing different routes may allow you to find deals or promotions you were not aware of. Consider also signing up to CheckMyBus to see even more exclusive promotions!

Which companies offer a trip from Cardiff to Leicester?

The most popular companies between Cardiff and Leicester, are National Express, FlixBus and Great Western Railway (GWR). Be sure to check their seat class offers and the amenities that they provide.

Bus companies: National Express and FlixBus

Train companies: Great Western Railway (GWR), CrossCountry and Transport for Wales

Airlines: Ryanair, Eastern Air Lines (2011), EasyJet Airline and 1 more.

All you need to know when you travel from Cardiff to Leicester

Check all information on comfort and services on all modes of transports from Cardiff to Leicester. See which seat classes are available, and what amenities are other advantages offered by the operators on your journey.

FAQs about the trip from Cardiff to Leicester

How can I reach Leicester from Cardiff?

Every day, there are on average 8 connections between Bus, Train and Flight, with which you can get to Leicester from Cardiff.

How far is Leicester from Cardiff?

The distance between Cardiff and Leicester is 189.6 km.

What is the most ecofriendly mode of transport between Cardiff and Leicester?

Trains and buses are by far the greenest options, with trains surpassing buses on longer routes. Planes will always be the worst polluters, especially in shorter flights, were the emissions from the takeoff and landing are less offset by the distance. On this particular route, a bus will emit, per person, a total of 5 kgs of CO2, a train 7 kgs, a car 32 kgs, and a flight 47 kgs.

What is the cheapest mode of transport from Cardiff to Leicester?

You can get to Leicester with just £22 by taking a Bus from FlixBus.

What is the fastest way to get from Cardiff to Leicester?

While a plane is travelling fastest boarding and transfer to airport consumes a lot of time. Usually, high speed trains are better than flights if pure train travel time is below 4 hours. For this particular route, you can get to Leicester in just 3h 21m with a Train from Great Western Railway (GWR).

More routes to Cardiff and to Leicester

Looking for more options? Here you can see the most popular routes to Cardiff and to Leicester. Simply click on a connection, and you’ll find all the details about the route!
CheckMyBus › Travel › Cardiff › Leicester

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