The cheapest and fastest coaches from Cardiff to Edinburgh
Cheapest price
£47
Average price
£65
Fastest journey
14 h 5 m
Average duration
14 h 11 m
Buses per day
8
Distance
497 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cardiff to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Edinburgh will cost around £65 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £47.
To travel from Cardiff to Edinburgh you need to make at least one change.
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX216 · NX100 · NX183
NX202 · NX101 · NX183
NX202 · NX101 · NX183
NX509 · NX594
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX509 · NX598
FlixBus · FlixBusTravel Information
Compare coach, train and flight for Cardiff to Edinburgh
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £35. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 19m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £35, and a train costs an average of £80.
Distance: 497 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£54 Average Price Cheapest | £198 Average Price | £175 Average Price |
13h 48m Average total duration 13h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 55m Average total duration 6h 25m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 19m Average total duration Fastest 1h 19m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Cardiff to Edinburgh bus times
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Edinburgh coaches for today, Sunday 14 December. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX202 · NX101 · NX183 | Delayed 15:05 06:40Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 13h35 | 20:15 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 2 changes | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 16:15 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 14h10 | 06:25 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 17:15 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 15h00 | 08:15 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX216 · NX100 · NX183 | On time 22:10 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 19h10 | 17:20 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 2 changes | |
| Monday 15 December | |||||
NX509 · NX591 | 03:15 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 15h40 | 18:55 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
NX202 · NX101 · NX183 | 06:25 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 14h05 | 20:30 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 2 changes | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 07:10 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) | 14h25 | 21:35 Edinburgh, Bus Station | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Edinburgh by coach, train or flight
Compare coach, train and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
14 Dec
15 Dec
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19 Dec
20 Dec
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22 Dec
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01 Jan
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Journey information
Overview: Bus from Cardiff to Edinburgh
Buses from Cardiff to Edinburgh run on average 6 times per day, taking around 13h 18m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £35 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 02:45, the last at 23:40. The fastest coach covers the 497 km distance in 11h 50m.
Distance 497 km |
Average bus duration 13h 18m |
Cheapest ticket price £35 |
Buses per day 6 |
Fastest bus 11h 50m |
First bus 02:45 |
Last bus 23:40 |
Bus providers: National Express, FlixBus, Megabus from Cardiff to EdinburghYou can travel by bus between Cardiff to Edinburgh with National Express, FlixBus, Megabus for as low as £35. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
National Express
Megabus
Buses from Cardiff to Edinburgh
Buses from Cardiff to Edinburgh are provided by National Express. The first bus of the morning leaves Cardiff in the morning, after 7:00 a.m. There are generally around 4 services per day, with the last bus leaving after 6:00 p.m. All services have one change, and journey times may vary, with the quickest service taking around 11 hours, and the longest taking up to 14.5 hours. Buses from Cardiff to Edinburgh depart from Sophia Gardens Bus Station, which is situated just off Sophia Close in the Riverside area. Buses arrive at Edinburgh's Elder Bus Station on Elder Street, which is near St. Andrew's Square.
FAQs: Cardiff to Edinburgh coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Edinburgh by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Edinburgh, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Cardiff to Edinburgh, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Edinburgh
- 06:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Café at the Station (in the station)
- Sandwich Shop (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 10, 11, 12, 16, 22, 25, 26, 44 Trams: T50 Trains: Edinburgh Waverley Station
Most popular bus connections from Cardiff
More options for your journey from Cardiff to Edinburgh
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