Travel to Cardiff

Flying to Cardiff

Eastern Airways and Flybe operate flights to Cardiff from other UK cities. Aer Lingus flies from Dublin. Airlines flying to Cardiff from continental Europe include KLM and Air France. There are no direct flights from the USA.

Flight times

From Edinburgh - 1 hour 15 minutes; New York - 9 hours 15 minutes (including stopover); Los Angeles  - 15 hours (including stopover); Toronto - 9 hours 35 minutes (including stopover); Sydney  - 26 hours 30 minutes (including stopover).

City Airports: 
Telephone:+44 1446 711 111
Website:www.cardiff-airport.com
Location:

Cardiff Airport is situated in Rhoose, 20km (12 miles) west of Cardiff city centre and 16km (10 miles) from junction 33 on the M4.


Money:

There are two ATMs in the airport, one in the departure lounge and another in the arrival hall. There are also two bureaux de change booths, one branch is located in the departure lounge and the other within baggage reclaim (serving inbound flights).


Luggage:

Items found should be handed to a member of security or to the airport assistants. Enquiries about lost property should be made to the airport’s main information line (tel: +44 1446 711 111).

Telephone:+44 844 335 1801
Website:www.heathrow.com
Location:

London Heathrow Airport is located 24km (15 miles) west of central London.


Money:

There are numerous ATMs and bureaux de change facilities in all terminals (both pre- and post-security).


Luggage:

Left-luggage offices (tel: +44 20 8759 3344) can be found in each terminal, while lost property can be reclaimed from the Airport Lost Property Office (tel: +44 844 824 3115 (within UK) or +44 20 3761 1800 (international)) in Terminal 3. Baggage trolleys are available free of charge in baggage reclaim and other key areas.

Travel by road

Summary:

Driving regulations in Wales are the same as for the rest of the UK. Traffic drives on the left and speed limits are 113kph (70mph) on motorways and dual carriageways, 97kph (60mph) on single-lane main roads and 48kph (30mph) in built-up areas. The legal driving age is 17 years. Overseas driving licences and International Driving Permits are valid for driving in the UK for up to one year. Insurance is mandatory. Overseas motorists should bring registration documents and ask their insurance company if a Green Card is required.

Emergency breakdown service:

AA (tel: 0800 887 766, in the UK); RAC (tel: 0800 828 282, in the UK).

Routes:

The M4 is the main direct route to Cardiff from elsewhere in the UK via London, Reading, Swindon, Bath and Bristol, before crossing the Second Severn Crossing (M4) and continuing on to Swansea. From the north and Midlands, the M5 passes through Birmingham to link with the M4 near Bristol. The Severn Suspension Bridge (M48) provides an alternative route over the River Severn. A toll (westbound only) is charged on both bridges. Eastbound crossings from Wales into England are free for all vehicles.

Driving times:

From Swansea - 50 minutes; Birmingham - 2 hours; London - 2 hours 30 minutes; Bristol - 50 minutes.

Coaches:

National Express (tel: +44 871 781 8181; www.nationalexpress.com) runs direct services between Cardiff and most other major UK towns and cities. Eurolines (tel: +44 871 781 8177; www.eurolines.co.uk) serves destinations on mainland Europe.

Cardiff Central Bus Station has closed for redevelopment and is not expected to reopen until 2017 or 2018. In the meantime, coaches stop at Sophia Gardens.

Travel by rail

Services:

The rail service in Wales is modern and largely reliable with Cardiff itself home to some 20 stations. Cardiff Central, located on Central Square, is the main railway station. Its facilities include ATMs, a newsagent and bookseller, food outlets and vending machines.

Operators:

The main railway companies for long distance cross-country services to and from Cardiff are First Great Western (tel: +44 345 700 0125; www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk) and Virgin Trains (tel: +44 871 977 4222; www.virgintrains.co.uk).

Express services are fast and comfortable, although the further west they go, the more frequently they stop. Arriva Trains Wales (tel: +44 3333 211 202; www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk) operates local and regional routes.

National Rail Enquiries (tel: +44 3457 484 950; www.nationalrail.co.uk) provides information on fares and timetables.

Journey times:

From Birmingham - 2 hours; London - 2 hours; Liverpool - 3 hours 30 minutes; Swansea - 50 minutes.




Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.