How do I get from Manchester to Cardiff without a car?

Both buses and trains are available for traveling between these two cities. Both are convenient and eco-friendly ways to travel to Cardiff. Another option you should consider is using carpooling services, which allow you to share a car ride with other travelers.

How long is the bus ride from Manchester to Cardiff?

The average travel time from Manchester to Cardiff is about 7h 5m, although the fastest bus will take 5h, on average. This is the time it takes to travel the 144 miles (232 km) that separate the two cities.

How far is Manchester from Cardiff?

Manchester and Cardiff are 144 miles (232 km) apart.

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Manchester to Cardiff?

Most of the buses traveling from Manchester to Cardiff leave from Shudehill and arrive at Sophia Gardens. These are the most popular departure and arrival locations on this route, but you can find others that could fit better into your travel plans.

What is the cheapest way to travel from Manchester to Cardiff?

The cheapest way to travel this route is by bus. The lowest price for the bus on this route is $15.

How much does a bus ticket from Manchester to Cardiff cost?

The bus ticket costs $29 on average. In the last 30 days, the prices ranged from $15 to $79, so it's good to do your research before booking.

What are the best sights and things to do in Cardiff?

Once in Cardiff, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Cardiff International White Water, Brecon Beacons National Park, Caerphilly Castle, St Fagans National Museum of History and Techniquest.

Manchester to Cardiff Bus Tickets

TodayMay 28

from $34

TomorrowMay 29

from $32

FriMay 30

from $32

SatMay 31

from $32

SunJun 1

from $32

MonJun 2

from $25

TueJun 3

WedJun 4

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: May 29 at 12:40pm
Departure city: Manchester
Departure location: Shudehill
Arrival time: May 29 at 6:20pm
Destination city: Cardiff
Destination location: Cardiff University (opp Cathays Rail Stn)
Operated by: Megabus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 5h 40m
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: May 29 at 1:15pm
Departure city: Manchester
Departure location: Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)
Arrival time: May 29 at 6:20pm
Destination city: Cardiff
Destination location: Cardiff University (opp Cathays Rail Stn)
Operated by: Megabus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 5h 5m
Departure time: May 29 at 1:15pm
Departure city: Manchester
Departure location: Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)
Arrival time: May 29 at 6:20pm
Destination city: Cardiff
Destination location: Cardiff University (opp Cathays Rail Stn)
Operated by: Megabus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 5h 5m
Departure time: May 29 at 8:30am
Departure city: Manchester
Departure location: Coach Station
Arrival time: May 29 at 2:40pm
Destination city: Cardiff
Destination location: Sophia Gardens
Operated by: National Express
Vehicle: BusDuration: 6h 10m
Departure time: May 29 at 8:15pm
Departure city: Manchester
Departure location: Coach Station
Arrival time: May 30 at 5:35am
Destination city: Cardiff
Destination location: Cardiff University (o/s Cathays Rail Stn)
Operated by: National Express
Vehicle: BusDuration: 9h 20m

Accepted payments

Compare 3 ways to go from Manchester to Cardiff.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$15 - $79	Average Duration7h 5m	CO₂ emissions 6kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	Cheapest
Train	Average Price$46 - $226	Average Duration3h 30m	CO₂ emissions 5kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	Most eco-friendly
Carpool	Average Price$21 - $35	Average Duration3h 10m	CO₂ emissions 10kg CO₂e4 out of 5 stars	Fastest

Busbud recommends carpooling from Manchester to Cardiff

Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as the good way to reach Cardiff. The journey takes about 3 hours 10 minutes and with fares starting at just $21, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

2carpool per day

3h 10mAverage Duration

$21Cheapest ticket

10kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Manchester to Cardiff: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$29

Average bus trip duration7h 5m

Number of daily buses10

Earliest bus departure12:45am

Distance144 miles (231 km)

Latest bus departure11:40pm

Compare bus companies

FlixBus

3.5/58,799 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

National Express

4/529,206 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.7

Wifi3.4

Megabus UK

3.5/54,166 reviews

Staff4.4

Timeliness3.3

Cleanliness4.3

Wifi2.6

Based on 4166 reviews, the company was rated 3.6 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the staff but often complained with the wifi. Megabus UK ticket prices on this trip start at $31.00

Megabus Manchester Cardiff recent customer reviews

Bus came 1hr late. Stopped o. The way 50mns waiting for change of driver. I couldn't get home yesterday 😩 because we arrived 2hrs late no train to go home

Jessica Y.

October 30, 2024

I was unable to make the date of booking, I did try to exchange my bus ticket to another date however the process made it to hard to do so

Gareth J.

November 14, 2023

It was late one hour.

Wehazit S.

December 5, 2024

Infobus

4/5469 reviews

Staff4.8

Timeliness4.6

Cleanliness4.8

Wifi3.8

GB bus companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, National Express, Sindbad, RegioJet, KLR Bus, FlixTrain

Manchester to Cardiff Bus

Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from Manchester to Cardiff.

We make it our job to connect you with the most dependable bus companies that cover bus service from Manchester to Cardiff.

Whether it is cheap bus tickets or more luxurious buses going to Cardiff from Manchester, we help you find what you're looking for based on how much of a budget you have.

Where are the popular stops in Manchester and Cardiff?

Stops in Manchester

A - Coach Station

B - Shudehill

C - Manchester Airport

D - 56 Great Bridgewater St

E - City of Manchester Stadium

F - Manchester Coach Station

Stops in Cardiff

A - Sophia Gardens

B - Cardiff University (o/s Cathays Rail Stn)

C - Cardiff - Castle Street Bus Stop

D - Cardiff Coach Station - Sophia Gardens

E - National Museum

F - Cardiff Bus Stop - Westgate

Frequently asked questions for your trip Manchester - Cardiff

How do I get from Manchester to Cardiff without a car?
How long is the bus ride from Manchester to Cardiff?
How far is Manchester from Cardiff?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Manchester to Cardiff?
What is the cheapest way to travel from Manchester to Cardiff?
How much does a bus ticket from Manchester to Cardiff cost?
What are the best sights and things to do in Cardiff?

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

05/26

$41

05/27

$32

Today

$31

05/29

$28

05/30

$30

05/31

$31

06/01

$29

06/02

$24

The cheapest trip from Manchester to Cardiff was searched and found on Jun 2, 2025 with a price of $24

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Manchester to Cardiff, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $24 to $42 for a bus ticket from Manchester to Cardiff based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $24 which is on 2025-06-02.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from Manchester to Cardiff but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.

From miles long of beauteous natural landscapes to impressive man-crafted sights, you're bound to be in for a visual treat on your bus trip from Manchester to Cardiff.

Buses are energy-efficient. Carrying a passenger over 100 kms by coach only takes 0.6-0.9 liters of gas. Compare that to the 2.6 liters required by high-speed train, 6.6 liters by airplane and 7.6 liters by gas-powered car, and it's clear that the bus is a more environmentally-conscious option for your bus transportation from Manchester to Cardiff.

Make a music playlist for your bus ride from Manchester to Cardiff, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.

Did you know?

9.2% of ground transportation in Europe is done by bus versus 7.4% by train.

The Superbus, created by a Dutch engineer is the world's fastest bus with 250 km/h. Too bad it's only a prototype for now.

The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!

Will you be returning to Manchester by bus?

Bus from Manchester to Cardiff

You can also go to Cardiff by train

Train from Manchester to Cardiff

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With several language and currency options available, Busbud seeks to cater to international bus travelers no matter where they are in the world. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

One passenger / one way

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

Compare 3 ways to go from Manchester to Cardiff.

Bus Manchester to Cardiff: Trip Overview

Compare bus companies

Manchester to Cardiff Bus

Where are the popular stops in Manchester and Cardiff?

Frequently asked questions for your trip Manchester - Cardiff

How do I get from Manchester to Cardiff without a car?

How long is the bus ride from Manchester to Cardiff?

How far is Manchester from Cardiff?

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Manchester to Cardiff?

What is the cheapest way to travel from Manchester to Cardiff?

How much does a bus ticket from Manchester to Cardiff cost?

What are the best sights and things to do in Cardiff?

Find cheapest prices for buses

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Did you know?

Will you be returning to Manchester by bus?

You can also go to Cardiff by train

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

People from around the world trust Busbud

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