Cardiff, Wales — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
CardiffInternationalAirport(CWL)
Tel: (01446) 711 111.
Website: www.cwlfly.com
The airport is located at Rhoose, 19km (12 miles) southwest of the city center. As a regional airport, it is much smaller than the major UK international hubs. Even so, it handles currently about 1.5 million passengers annually, with a capacity for 3 million.
Airportfacilities: Banking and exchange facilities are available. There is also a 24-hour information desk, ATMs, duty-free shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs and car hire from Avis, Europcar and Hertz.
Business facilities: There is no business center in the airport. There is an executive lounge in the departures lounge, with Internet access, fax and photocopiers, as well as refreshments and newspapers. Fax and photocopying facilities are available at the information desk in the main terminal.
Transport to the city: A rail link connects Cardiff International Airport to Cardiff Central and Bridgend via a free shuttle bus to Rhoose Cardiff International Station. Trains run each direction every hour, with onward connections possible to other destinations on the rail network. For further information, including fares and timetables, contact National Rail Enquiries (tel: 0845 748 4950; website: www.nationalrail.co.uk). Cardiff Bus (tel: (029) 2066 6444; website: www.cardiffbus.com) service X91 operates direct between Cardiff city center (including Central Station) and the airport with up to a half hourly frequency on Mondays to Fridays, hourly on Saturdays and Sundays. Additional Cardiff Bus service 95 runs via Barry on Monday to Saturday evenings.
Getting There By Road
Driving regulations in Wales are the same as for the rest of the UK.Traffic drives on the left. The 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 licenses and International Driving Permits are valid for driving in Britain 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 services
Automobile Association (AA) (tel: 0870 600 0371; www.theaa.co.uk), the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) (tel: 0870 572 2722; www.rac.co.uk) and Green Flag (tel: 0845 246 1557; www.greenflag.co.uk).
Routes to the city
The M4 is the main direct route to Cardiff from elsewhere in the UK, via London, Reading, Swindon, Bath and Bristol, 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 alternate 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 to the city
From Swansea - 1 hour; Birmingham - 2 hours 30 minutes; London - 3 hours.
Coach services
National Express (tel: 0871 781 8181; www.nationalexpress.com) runs direct services between Cardiff and most other major UK towns and cities. Eurolines serves destinations on mainland Europe. Cardiff's coach and bus station is on Wood Street, immediately outside the railway station. Numerous different coach and bus operators offer services around the city and further afield.
Getting There By Rail
Rail Services
Cardiff Central, Central Square, is the main rail station. Facilities include ATMs, a newsagent/bookseller and a fast-food outlet.
Rail Operators
The main rail companies for long distance cross-country services to and from Cardiff are First Great Western (tel: 0845 700 0125; www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk) and Virgin Trains (tel: 0845 722 2333; www.virgintrains.co.uk). Express services are fast and comfortable, although the further west they go, the more frequent are the stops and the slower the run. Local and regional routes are operated by Arriva Trains Wales (tel: 0870 900 0773; www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk).
Connections
From Birmingham – 2 hours; London – 2 hours; Liverpool – 3.5 hours; Swansea – 1 hour.
Getting Around in Cardiff, Wales
Public Transport
Buses around town are mainly operated by Cardiff Bus (tel: (029) 2066 6444; www.cardiffbus.com), with an office which is based opposite the central bus station on Wood Street, which sells a variety of day, week or month tickets for travel within the city limits or the wider region. Buses generally operate between 0530 and 2330 with reduced hours at the weekend and on public holidays.Tickets are available on the bus (exact change only). First Cymru (tel: (01792) 580 580; www.firstgroup.com) operates some regional bus services. A First Day pass, available on the bus, permits one day of unlimited travel on all First local buses (except shuttle services) within South Wales. Local train services are run by Arriva Trains Wales (tel: 0870 9000 773; www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk), which operate 0500-2430 on weekdays, starting later at the weekend and on public holidays. General information on public transport throughout Wales is available from Traffig Cymru (tel: 0845 602 6020; www.traffic-wales.com).
Taxis
Taxis can be hailed on the street. Recommended taxi firms include Capital (tel: (029) 2034 3343), and Central Taxis (tel: (029) 2066 6333).
Driving in the City
There are several large multi-story car parks in and around the city center. See the Cardiff Council website (www.cardiff.gov.uk) for details.
Car Hire
City-based car-hire companies include Avis, (tel: 0844 544 6047; www.avis.co.uk), and Hertz (tel: (029) 2022 4548; www.hertz.co.uk).
Bicycle Hire
Bicycles can be hired from Cardiff Caravan Park, Fields Park Road (tel: (029) 2039 8362).Cardiff Bike (www.oybike.com), a street rental scheme, was launched in 2009, with 70 bikes available in 10 central locations.
