Next bus departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bus
| Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Park & Ride | Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens) | Cheapest | ||||
 | Bus | Mereoak P&R | Sophia Gardens | Fastest | ||||
| Bus | Mereoak P&R | Sophia Gardens | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Mereoak P&R | Sophia Gardens | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Mereoak P&R | Sophia Gardens | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 1:26 AM BST.
Compare 2 ways to go from Reading to Cardiff
Among the sustainable travel choices, the Bus stands out as a good way to reach Cardiff. The journey takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, and with fares starting at just $18, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Bus stations and stops in Reading and Cardiff
Stops in Reading
- A
Mereoak P&R
Mereoak Ln, Three Mile Cross, Reading RG7, UK - B
Bath Road
Bath Rd, Reading RG31 7BS, UK - C
Reading
25 Cross Street, Reading, RG1 1ST, United Kingdom
Stops in Cardiff
- A
Sophia Gardens
2 Sophia Cl, Cardiff CF11, UK - B
Cardiff University (o/s Cathays Rail Stn)
50 Park Place (Bus Stop, o/s Cathays Rail Stn), Cardiff CF10 - C
Cardiff Coach Station - Sophia Gardens
22 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff CF11 9LJ, UK - D
Cardiff - Castle Street Bus Stop
21A Castle St, Cardiff CF10 1BT, UK - E
National Museum
Gorsedd Gardens Rd, Cardiff CF10 3NP, UK - F
Cardiff Bus Stop - Westgate
206 Westgate St, Cardiff CF10, UK
Compare bus companies
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Reading to Cardiff by bus
Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.
How much is the bus ticket from Reading to Cardiff?
The cheapest bus tickets from Reading to Cardiff start from $18. The average price for this route is around $55. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus ride from Reading to Cardiff?
The average bus travel time from Reading to Cardiff is 2h 30m, covering a distance of 154 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 2h 20m and is operated by National Express.
Which bus companies service the Reading to Cardiff route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 2 buses available per day, including services from National Express, FlixBus.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from Reading to Cardiff?
The earliest bus departs from Reading to Cardiff at 12:45pm. And the latest bus departs at 8:40pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Reading to Cardiff?
A bus trip from Reading to Cardiff generates an estimated 3.8287999999999998 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from Reading to Cardiff?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is National Express, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 30432 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Reading to Cardiff?
Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company National Express has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.4.
Which bus company has the best on-time performance from Reading to Cardiff?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is National Express, with a punctuality rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Reading to Cardiff?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is National Express, with a cleanliness rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Reading to Cardiff was searched and found on Oct 21, 2026 with a price of $16To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Reading to Cardiff, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $16 to $129 for a bus ticket from Reading to Cardiff based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $16 which is on 2026-10-21.
Usually National Express will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.
