Bristol to Cardiff: cab, train or coach?

The three options

Train from Temple Meads to Cardiff Central takes 50 minutes to an hour on the main line, and both stations are central. The coach takes an hour and a half or more and is the cheapest seat. A cab takes about an hour door to door and is priced per vehicle, from £75 for a Saloon.

When the train wins

One person, daylight, a destination within walking distance of Cardiff Central and a ticket bought a few days ahead. It is quick and frequent, and for that traveller it is hard to beat.

When the cab wins

Two or more people, because the fare is per car. Luggage, because the train racks fill. A destination in the Bay, at Cardiff Airport or in the valleys, where the station is only the start. And anything early, late or on a Sunday with engineering work, when the replacement bus is the train.

Match days

On a Six Nations day, the trains are packed in both directions and Cardiff's ranks empty when the stadium does. A pre-booked cab with the return held and a pick-up point agreed away from the ground is the only version of the day that does not involve a long wait.

Cardiff Airport

CWL is west of the city at Rhoose. By rail it is Cardiff Central, a change, and a shuttle bus. By cab from Bristol it is one run of about an hour and twenty minutes, with the flight tracked on the way back.

The bridge

There is no toll on the Prince of Wales Bridge in either direction, so nothing is added to a cab fare for crossing into Wales.