Getting Around, Cardiff Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Cardiff, South Glamorgan, South Wales, UK)



Cardiff Travel and TransportCardiff city is well served by the public transport system, which includes an excellent network of buses and trains, providing good connections throughout Wales and England. Cardiff is near to many other interesting towns, cities, tourist attractions and important landmarks, and many visitors also travel outside of the city, into the surrounding areas.

Renting a car is often the preferred method of travel and transport for excursions outside of Cardiff and it is relatively easy to travel around the area by car. There are several major roads and motorways situated on the outskirts, which provide fast and convenient routes when travelling both to and from the city.


Cardiff International Airport (CWL) / Arriving by Air

The city is served by Cardiff International Airport (CWL) with its excellent facilities. The airport has connections to the city centre and is within easy travelling distance of the city, by either train, coach or car. Cardiff is also within easy reach of London's Airports, including London Heathrow Airport, which is 228 km / 141 miles from the city centre, and London Gatwick Airport, which is km 264 / 163 miles away.

Cardiff International Airport (CWL) Guide

Car Rental

The district of Cardiff is served by a number of major roads and nearby the city connects to the M4 motorway, which connects to the M5, M32, M48, M49 and M50, travelling to cities including Swansea, Neath, Aberystwyth and Abergavveny in Wales, and London in England. Although the traffic travelling in and out of central Cardiff can often be fairly heavy during the main commuting hours in the morning and afternoon, driving in the city centre is fairly easy.

Tourists staying in the Cardiff area frequently choose to rent cars and these are the preferred method of travel when journeying outside of the city, to explore the surrounding countryside and nearby towns. Cardiff is home to many large multi-storey parking garages and off-street parking is also available is some areas, although much of this is restricted to residents only.

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By Foot

Cardiff is well pedestrianized and one of the best ways to travel around is by foot. This is an excellent way to see some of the numerous tourist attractions, museums, galleries and landmarks. Finding your way around the centre is very straightforward and many of the city's major sights and tourist attractions are within easy walking distance of each other.

Buses and Coaches

Tel: +44 (0)29 2039 6521
The local bus system is operated by Cardiff Bus and provide regular bus travel throughout the area. Buses are well used by locals, tourists and visitors and these buses provide an inexpensive way to travel in both the city and the surrounding outskirts. Cardiff buses and coaches travel to many other towns and cities in England and Wales, including the main airports in London and nearby Bath, Bristol, Birmingham and Exeter. Most buses and coaches depart from the main bus station in Wood Street, in the centre of Cardiff, and there are also bus stops throughout the city, complete with bus timetables and route information.

Trains

Tel: +44 (0)29 2043 0554
Cardiff's train station is situated in Central Square, in the heart of the city centre. Close to the bus station, Cardiff Central Train Station operated regular trains, with a network of trains that travel around Wales and the whole of the United Kingdom. Train companies operating at the Central Train Station include First Great Western, Virgin Trains, Wales and West and a number of local train companies. Advance train seat reservations can be booked if required and cycle racks are available outside of Cardiff Spa Train Station.

Taxis

Taxis in the city are one of the most convenient ways to travel around Cardiff area and are usually fairly inexpensive. City taxis can be easily caught from various taxis throughout central Cardiff, including taxi ranks outside of the central train station, in Greyfriars Road, nearby the Hilton Hotel and next to the New Theatre. Also in quieter areas of Cardiff, taxis can be ordered by telephone and there are many reputable taxi firms that your hotel will be happy to recommend. Additional taxi charges may be made for luggage, travel late at night, extra passengers and travel on public holidays.

Bicycles

Bicycles are a popular way to travel around recreational areas of Cardiff in particular, and much of the city is generally very flat, although there are some steep hills on the outskirts. There are also numerous cycle trails and pathways throughout Cardiff and towpaths along the River Taff, which is particularly scenic. Cardiff has a number of bicycle rental shops available in the city centre.