By train from Cardiff, Pembrokeshire means Haverfordwest: that is the station these journeys run to. Transport for Wales has direct trains from Cardiff Central, taking about 2h 30m on a typical run and 2h 25m on the quickest, with 14 stops on the way. The difficulty is how few there are: on the weekday timetable we checked, only four ran, at 05:35, 14:47, 16:06 and 17:45. The 05:35 is in Haverfordwest by about 08:07, but the 14:47 does not get there until the late afternoon, while the 17:45 arrives in the evening.
If the 05:35 is too early and you want to set off before mid-afternoon, you will be changing somewhere. The rail-only alternative the planner offered, with a change at Carmarthen, took about 2h 54m and left Cardiff at 11:42, 13:38 and 19:39. For an earlier start it offered train-and-bus combinations instead: a train to Narberth and then a bus, about 2h 57m in all, from 06:44, 08:54, 10:54, 12:54 and 14:51.
So a later morning start from Cardiff Central is possible, but it means finishing the journey to Haverfordwest by bus. With luggage, or simply for an easier trip, the 11:42 via Carmarthen or one of the afternoon direct trains is the better bet.
Of the afternoon direct trains, the 14:47 is the first and the 17:45 the latest we found. After that, the 19:39 with a change at Carmarthen was the final way the planner found to reach Haverfordwest by rail that day, so an evening departure from Cardiff depends on that one connection. By road the trip is 96 miles via the M4 and A40, about 1h 52m, more than half an hour quicker than even the fastest direct train.
From the station it is about 700 metres to Castle Square in Haverfordwest, a walk of around ten minutes once the Cardiff train has pulled in.
Journey times and changes below come from the rail and bus timetables for Tuesday 1 December 2026. Weekend and holiday timetables differ, so check the day you travel.
From Cardiff Central on the weekday we checked: 05:35, 14:47, 16:06 and 17:45.
By road it is about 96 miles from Cardiff to Pembrokeshire, mostly via the M4 and A40 — roughly 1h 52m with clear roads. Car parks in Pembrokeshire are listed on the Getting Here page.