Ollie Tanner scored a sublime opener at Ashton Gate, but the Bluebirds were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in the Severnside derby.
Omer Riza named an unchanged starting XI from Tuesday night's victory over Millwall. The only changes were on the bench, with Jesper Daland, Callum O'Dowda and Manolis Siopis returning from injury.
The hosts made the brighter start, with Sinclair Armstrong testing Jak Alnwick inside the opening ten minutes. The City stopper was at full stretch to tip away the striker's low effort.
At the other end, the Bluebirds went close through Rubin Colwill, who took aim from the edge of the area and sent a fizzing drive just wide of Max O'Leary's upright.
A huge moment came after 20 minutes, with Anwar El Ghazi inches away from putting City ahead. Callum Robinson's effort found it's way to El Ghazi, who couldn't quite turn the ball home from close range, clipping the edge of the post.
Armstrong continued to look lively for the hosts, making a dangerous run in behind the Bluebirds backline only to send his shot wide.
Robinson went close twice towards the end of the first half, but the whistle blew with the game goalless.
The Bluebirds flew out of the traps in the second period, with Ollie Tanner coming close. The winger cut inside and fired on goal, with a deflection taking the ball wide of the target.
The winger soon had another opportunity in a similar area, and this time was not to be denied. Colwill produced great work to win back possession before sliding the ball to Tanner, who changed feet magnificently before smashing the ball into the top corner.
It could have been two just minutes later. The duo of Colwill and Tanner combined once again, this time inside the penalty box, but Ollie's effort was slightly too high to test O'Leary.
Three changes gave the Robins a new lease of life, with Mark Sykes heading just wide of the upright, but chances on goal became limited for both sides. Colwill had a good effort for City, saved low by O'Leary.
Daland and O'Dowda came into the action just past the hour mark, bringing a slight change of shape, but unfortunately the hosts got back on level terms. Joe Williams crossed for the towering Luke McNally, who put a strong header past Alnwick.
Dimi Goutas made contact with a dangerous, swinging delivery close to the end, but the ball whistled wide of the goal. The final whistle signalled that the points would be shared as we head into the international break.
The Bluebirds are next in action on Saturday, 19th October, with Plymouth Argyle visiting Cardiff City Stadium for a 12:30pm kick-off.
Full Time: Bristol City 1-1 Cardiff City
Bristol City: O'Leary, Tanner, Vyner, McNally, Pring (McCrorie 18'), Williams, Knight (C), Hirakawa (Sykes 55'), Mehmeti (Bird 55'), Twine (Earthy 84'), Armstrong (Mayulu 55'). Subs: Bajic, Naismith, Wells, McGuane.
Cardiff City: Alnwick, Ng, Goutas, Chambers, Bagan, Ralls (Rinomhota, 77'), Robertson (Siopis 84'), Colwill, Tanner (Kanga 77'), El Ghazi (Daland 66'), Robinson (O'Dowda 66'). Subs: Horvath, Turnbull, Willock, Méïté.