Travel to Cardiff

The main route in to Cardiff from London is via the M4 motorway which runs from West London all the way to South West Wales. Arriving along the Severn Bridge, you’ll be treated to the glorious landscape of Wales as you cross the border, and what’s even better is that there is now no toll fee.

Not arriving from London? No problem. Cardiff is accessible via the M6, M5/50, the M4, the A480 and the A470.

Not sure what route will be best for you? Visit Google Maps to plan ahead (it even takes in to account traffic to find the quickest route!)

Only 2 hours by train from London Paddington, Cardiff Central Train Station has access to all other main cities around the UK.

Cardiff Central is one of 20 train stations in Cardiff, so if you need to head outside of the city centre, visit Transport for Wales to help work out the best station for you, as well as times and prices.

With over 50 direct flights and over 900 connections including cities such as Belfast, Bali, Cork, Copenhagen, Geneva, Sydney and Qatar, to name a few, Cardiff is easily accessible via Cardiff Airport. You can relax in style and enjoy some of the on site food, drink and shopping facilities.

Getting to/from the airport is simple too:

For sat-nav directions, use postcode: CF62 3BD

Take Junction 33 off the M4 and follow signs for Cardiff Airport.

There is also an express bus service (the T9) which takes you direct from the city centre to the doors of Cardiff Airport, operating every 20 minutes through the day. Head to Trawscymru for more information.

You can even arrive by rail from Cardiff Central to Rhoose Cardiff International Airport Railway Station, with departures every hour Monday to Saturday, and every two hours on Sundays. You can then jump on a shuttle bus for £1 which takes you directly to the airport.

To plan your journey, head to Cardiff Airport’s website.

A short drive over the Severn Bridge, Bristol Airport is only a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Cardiff city centre. With convenient links via road, bus and train it is easy to travel to the Welsh Capital from Bristol Airport.

For sat-nav directions, use postcode: BS48 3DY

On the M4, take the Severn Bridge and follow signs for Bristol Airport.

National Express services depart for Cardiff 12 times daily from as little as £15 one way.

The Airport Flyer Express to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station provides you with a direct link to Cardiff Airport. The Airport Flyer Express departs every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and takes around 30 minutes door to door. 

Arguably one of the busiest airports in the world, Heathrow Airport serves as one of the UK’s major international airports, located just outside London. There are many travel connections from Heathrow Airport to Cardiff, so you are spoilt for choice.

By rail, you can find get a direct train to London Paddington from Cardiff Central and then jump on the Heathrow Express which is just a 15 minute journey from London Paddington.

By bus, National Express operates from Heathrow with direct links to Cardiff. Please make sure you allow time for flight arrival and baggage claim when choosing your bus time. For more information, times and prices head to National Express.

By car, it is important to find our what terminal you are flying from, as Heathrow consists of 4 terminals. To find out which terminal you are departing from, check your flight details, or visit Heathrow’s website.

For sat-nav directions, use the following postcodes:

Terminal 2: TW6 1EW

Terminal 3: TW6 1QG

Terminal 4: TW6 3XA

Terminal 5: TW6 2GA

 

Birmingham Airport is the central hub for the Midlands, with both domestic and international flights operating. You can access Birmingham Airport via car, rail or bus.

For sat-nav directions, use postcode: B26 3QJ

From Cardiff, follow the you can take either the A480 or the M4 and join the M5 to the M42 and follow signs for Birmingham Airport.

By rail, jump on a direct train from Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Street, then join a connecting train to Birmingham International. For times and prices, head to Cross Country.

By bus, National Express operates from Cardiff Coach Station to Birmingham Coach Station and then join a connecting bus to Birmingham Airport. National Express will calculate the best times for your arrival and connecting bus. It is suggested allowing around 3 hours between your coach arrival time and your flight departure. Head to National Express for journey times and prices.

 

One of the busiest airports outside of London, Manchester Airport is one of the major UK transport links. 

For sat-nav directions, use postcode: M90 1QX

From Cardiff, take the A449 onto the A40 and join the M50 to the M5. From the M5, join the M6 and follow signs for Manchester Airport.

By rail, take a direct train from Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly and join a connecting train to Manchester Airport. Connecting trains from Manchester Piccadilly run every 10 minutes, 7 days a week.

By bus, National Express operates from Cardiff Coach Stationtchanging at Birmingham coach station for a connecting bus to Manchester Airport. Bus journeys take around 5 hours in total, so plan ahead. For times and prices, head to National Express.

Cardiff has many bus services that operates from the city centre, with the two main providers being National Express and Megabus. With links to Bristol, Birmingham, London, Manchester and more, there will most likely be a stop convenient for you.

For specific destinations and timetables, head to:

National Express

Megabus

There are Next Bike station’s situated all around Cardiff, so you’re spoilt for choice of where and when you want to pick up a bike. For all station locations, check out Next Bike’s website.

Have your own bike? With many cycling lanes, and lots of bike racks around, you don’t have to worry about getting to your venue on time – just hitch up and head off.