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Travelling from Cardiff Central to London Paddington, the fastest train takes 1h 49m with an average travel time of 2h 36m. With 22 daily trains, the first departs at 08:23 and the last at 23:11. Off-Peak hours begin at 09:30 on weekdays, and all-day Off-Peak on weekends and bank holidays. Keep informed of live train status, times, delays, and cancellations with us.
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| Departs | Arrives | Status | Duration | Operator | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12:20 Cardiff Central | 14:59 London Paddington | On time | 2h 39m | Great Western Railway | Find tickets | |
12:45 Cardiff Central | 15:59 London Paddington | On time | 3h 14m | CrossCountry | Find tickets | |
13:20 Cardiff Central | 16:07 London Paddington | On time | 2h 47m | Great Western Railway | Find tickets | |
13:30 Cardiff Central | 16:29 London Paddington | On time | 2h 59m | Transport for Wales | Find tickets | |
13:45 Cardiff Central | 16:54 London Paddington | On time | 3h 9m | CrossCountry | Find tickets |
Experience seamless journey planning from Cardiff Central to London Paddington. Explore the earliest and latest train times, departure and arrival stations, distance, journey time, and pricing options to optimise your trip.
| First train | 08:23 |
|---|---|
| Last train | 23:11 |
| Departure station | Cardiff Central |
| Arrival station | London Paddington |
| Distance | 129 miles (208 km) |
| Journey time | From 1h 49m |
| Price | From £12.15 |
| Train operators | CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales |
Check the addresses of Cardiff Central and London Paddington, 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 approximately one hour and fifty minutes to get from Cardiff Central to London Paddington with Great Western Railway (GWR). On your journey, you'll head east, across Wales and England, towards Greater London before arriving at one of London's most well-known railway stations.
Great Western Railway offers services that run across the West of England and South Wales, serving destinations like Swansea, Cardiff, Bristol, and Newport, along with inter-city trains to London Paddington and the wider Thames Valley region.
Cardiff Central is an extremely accessible station to reach. Located on Central Square right in the city centre, the station is flanked by Cardiff Bus Station and local taxis can drop you off on Saunders Road, too, which is just off Central Square. Meaning you can get there from anywhere in Cardiff or the surrounding areas quickly and conveniently.
The station itself has three leading train operators, these are: Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales, and CrossCountry, which serve routes around Wales and into England.
There are four main stops from Cardiff Central to London Paddington when travelling with GWR. These are: Newport, Bristol Parkway, Swindon, and Reading. These stations may change due to scheduling alterations, adverse weather conditions, engineering works, or a variety of other unforeseen circumstances. So, it's best to double-check before you travel, just in case.
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The train from Cardiff Central arrives at London Paddington, one of the city's most iconic train stations and was made famous by its eponymously named bear - Paddington Bear, whose name comes from the name of this station. This station, served by GWR, the Elizabeth Line, and the Heathrow Express, is located between Notting Hill and Marylebone. It is a key station on the UK's rail network, serving as the terminus of the Great Western Mainline. This line connects Cardiff Central and London Paddington, as well as other destinations such as Bristol and Swansea.
It's also well-connected to public transport, helping you explore London more quickly or get to your final destination faster. London Paddington Station has a dedicated tube station that serves the Circle, District, Bakerloo, and Hammersmith & City lines, as well as local buses and taxis near the station's main entrance.
Arriving at London Paddington Station puts you in a great place for a stroll, as it's only a few minutes from Hyde Park and Kensington Palace, and then only a few minutes further to Buckingham Palace and its adjacent park, Green Park. It's also close to the Royal Albert Hall if you're visiting for a concert, or the Natural History Museum if you'd like to know more about nature. Portobello Road Market and The Sherlock Holmes Museum are close by, too.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.
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