How much does a train ticket cost from Cardiff to Darlington?

The cheapest train tickets from Cardiff to Darlington start from £74. The average price for this train route is around £220. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from Cardiff to Darlington?

The average train journey time from Cardiff to Darlington is 5h 8m, covering a distance of 221 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 4h 59m and is operated by CrossCountry .

Which train operators serve the Cardiff to Darlington route?

Several major train operators run on this route with 2 trains available per day.

What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Cardiff to Darlington?

The earliest train from Cardiff to Darlington departs at 07:45. And the latest train departs at 15:45.

Train Cardiff to Darlington from £71

Previously seen journeys

Next departures from Cardiff to Darlington on 12 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	10:45	Cardiff Central	5h 13m	15:58	Darlington	No tags
Train	11:45	Cardiff Central	5h 14m	16:59	Darlington	No tags
Train	12:45	Cardiff Central	5h 14m	17:59	Darlington	No tags
Train	15:45	Cardiff Central	5h 14m	20:59	Darlington	No tags
Train	16:45	Cardiff Central	5h 8m	21:53	Darlington	No tags

Compare 2 ways to travel from Cardiff to Darlington

We recommend taking the bus

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as a good way to reach Darlington. The journey takes about 8 hours 55 minutes and with fares starting at just £44, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

2bus per day

8h 55mAverage duration

221 milesDistance

9kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average price£44 - £61	Average duration8h 55m	CO₂ emissions 9kg CO₂e
Train	Average price£74 - £523	Average duration5h 8m	CO₂ emissions 9kg CO₂e

Where are the popular train stations and stops in Cardiff and Darlington?

Cardiff

A
Cardiff Central
Cardiff Central, UK
Visit page

Darlington

A
Dinsdale
Dinsdale, Middleton St George, Darlington DL2 1UE, UK

Train Companies

CrossCountry

4.5/544 reviews

Staff4.5

Timeliness4.1

Cleanliness4.1

WiFi4.1

Based on 44 reviews, the company was rated 4.3 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the departure location but often complained with the value for money. CrossCountry ticket prices on this trip start at £74

GB train companies: Amtrak, Trenitalia, Renfe, VIA Rail Canada, RegioJet, FlixTrain, Amtrak Acela

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Cardiff to Darlington by train

Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your journey.

How much does a train ticket cost from Cardiff to Darlington?
The cheapest train tickets from Cardiff to Darlington start from £74. The average price for this train route is around £220. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Cardiff to Darlington?
The average train journey time from Cardiff to Darlington is 5h 8m, covering a distance of 221 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 4h 59m and is operated by CrossCountry.
Which train operators serve the Cardiff to Darlington route?
Several major train operators run on this route with 2 trains available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Cardiff to Darlington?
The earliest train from Cardiff to Darlington departs at 07:45. And the latest train departs at 15:45.

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found

10/12

£80

11/12

£101

Today

£90

13/12

No data

14/12

No data

15/12

No data

16/12

£80

17/12

No data

The cheapest trip from Cardiff to Darlington was searched and found on 10 Dec 2025 with a price of £80

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

You can expect to pay from £80 to £500 for a train ticket from Cardiff to Darlington based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at £80, which is on 2025-12-16.