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How to get fromCardiff to Cairnryanby train, bus, car ferry, car, or plane

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There are 9 ways to get from Cardiff to Cairnryan by train, bus, car ferry, car, or plane

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Train, bus

    best
    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Crewetrain train
    2. Take the train from Crewe to Carlisletrain train
    3. Take the train from Carlisle to Dumfriestrain train
    4. Take the bus from Dumfries station to Port Rodiebus bus 500
    11h 2m

  2. Train to Bristol Airport, fly to Edinburgh Airport, bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain train
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Edinburgh Airport (EDI)plane plane BRS - EDI
    3. Take the bus from Terminal to Buchanan Bus Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminalbus bus
    8h 6m
    £56–145

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Cardiff - North Road to Birmingham - Jennens Roadbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Millennium Point to Buchanan Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Buchanan Bus Station to Port Rodiebus bus 923
    14h 10m
    £67–114

  4. Train, car ferry

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Chestertrain train
    2. Take the carferry from Liverpool to Belfastcarferry car ferry
    3. Take the carferry from Belfast to Cairnryancarferry car ferry
    16h 24m
    £114–235

  5. Drive  379.1 mi

    1. Drive from Cardiff to Cairnryancar car 379.1 mi
    7h 18m
    £94–136

  6. Train

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Glasgow Centraltrain train
    2. Take the train from Glasgow Central to Ayrtrain train
    3. Take the train from Ayr to Stranraertrain train
    13h 21m
    £257–389

  7. Train to Bristol Airport, fly to Glasgow Airport, train, bus

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain train
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Glasgow Airport (GLA)plane plane BRS - GLA
    3. Take the train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayrtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pierbus bus
    8h 33m
    £77–183

  8. Fly Cardiff Airport to George Best Belfast City Airport, car ferry

    1. Fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)plane plane CWL - BHD
    2. Take the carferry from Larne to Cairnryancarferry car ferry
    9h 9m
    £91–431

  9. Train to Birmingham Airport, fly to Glasgow Airport, train, bus

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Streettrain train
    2. Fly from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Glasgow Airport (GLA)plane plane BHX - GLA
    3. Take the train from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayrtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Henrietta Street to Old Pierbus bus
    9h 14m
    £109–213

Bristol Airport (BRS) to Edinburgh Airport (EDI) flights

Calendar31Weekly Planes
Duration1h 36mAverage Duration
Ticket£30Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Cardiff to Cairnryan.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 395.1 mi
  • Duration: 11h 2m

What companies run services between Cardiff, Wales and Cairnryan, Scotland?

You can take a bus from Cardiff - North Road to Old Pier via Millennium Point, Buchanan Bus Station, Port Rodie, and Port Rodie Ferry Terminal in around 14h 10m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Cardiff Central to Old Pier via Glasgow Central, Ayr, Stranraer, and Port Rodie Ferry Terminal in around 13h 21m.

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