Travelling to Cardiff
Mae'r cynnwys hwn ar gael yn Saesneg yn unig.
Last updated: 10/12/2024 14:16
There are many ways to travel to Cardiff. It is important to plan your route in advance.
It is approximately 150 miles (240 kilometres) from London to Cardiff and 50 miles (80 kilometres) from Bristol to Cardiff.
From London Heathrow
By coach
Coach travel is the cheapest form of travel in the UK. The main company to run routes from most of the major cities to Cardiff is National Express. They run direct services to Cardiff from London Heathrow. They use both the University and Sophia Gardens bus station as their main stop-off in Cardiff.
Flixbus is one of Europe’s leading coach companies, they offer cheap journeys from Heathrow Airport to Cardiff. Their main bus stop is Herbert Street/Lloyd George Avenue which is a short walk to Cardiff Central station.
National Express offers international students 20% off airport coach travel from Heathrow to Cardiff.
By train
Train travel is more expensive than travelling by coach, and you'll have to change trains.
Take the Heathrow Express train from Heathrow Airport to Paddington station in London. Trains leave every 15 minutes from all terminals at Heathrow to London. Once at Paddington, you'll take the train to Cardiff via Great Western Railway. On weekdays, the train to Cardiff from Paddington leaves every 30 minutes.
A single journey from Heathrow to Cardiff will be £65–£205, and the journey time is two hours. You can buy tickets online (it’s cheaper in advance) or at the ticket office at the railway station at the airport.
By taxi
A taxi to Cardiff from London Heathrow will cost in the region of £200. Although this is an expensive way to travel, it is the most direct way to get to your accommodation. It can take anywhere between 2.5 hours - 3.5 hours to travel from London to Cardiff in a taxi/car.
From Bristol Airport
By train
Bristol International Flyer bus service is a dedicated bus service that runs every 10 minutes from the airport to Bristol Temple Meads train station.
Once at Bristol Temple Meads, the train service to Cardiff Central train station runs every 20 minutes.
By coach
National Express has up to 6 services daily departing from Bristol Airport bus station to Cardiff. The main stop for National Express is Sophia Gardens but there are other stops in Cardiff, such as Cardiff University on Park Place.
National Express offers international students 20% off airport coach travel from Bristol Airport to Cardiff.
Flixbus also offer cheap journeys from Bristol Airport bus stop to Cardiff with up to 8 services daily. Their main bus stop is Herbert Street/Lloyd George Avenue which is a short walk to Cardiff Central.
From Gatwick Airport
National Express has coaches that depart from outside the terminal from both Gatwick North and Gatwick South.
National Express offers international students 20% off airport coach travel from Gatwick Airport to Cardiff.
From Cardiff Airport
By taxi
A taxi from Cardiff Airport will cost around £42 and can be hired from the Flight Link taxi office inside the arrivals area or booked in advance by phoning +44 (0)1446 728500.
By train
A shuttle bus service runs from the airport to Rhoose Cardiff International Airport train station. The trains run every hour from Monday to Saturday and every two hours on Sundays.
These services are run by Transport for Wales and tickets can be purchased in advance.
Arriving at Cardiff Central train station or Sophia Gardens coach station
The train will take you to Cardiff Central train station, and National Express coaches will drop you off at Sophia Gardens.
From here, it is recommended you take a taxi to your accommodation. There are taxis easily available from outside the train station and Sophia Gardens.
Always find out the price of the journey before you get in the taxi. Always pay for the journey when you have reached your destination, never at the start of the journey.
Coach collection
Coach collection service
Staying in Cardiff University accommodation
Arriving early or late
Your room in university accommodation may not be available before the recommended date of arrival. If you intend to arrive in Cardiff before this date, you will need to contact the Residences Office. If you are likely to be arriving after the recommended date of arrival please email residences@cardiff.ac.uk.
If you are arriving late or out of hours you need to log onto your Cardiff Student Portal (SIMS), select ‘late arrival’ and choose your specific arrival date/time. You will receive a confirmation email which details what to do when you arrive.
Arriving out of working hours
If you are staying in university-owned accommodation and you arrive unexpectedly late in the evening or early in the morning and you have not been able to inform Residences of your arrival time, you should go directly to the Security Office next to the Tower Building, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT or contact them via the details below. The Security Office will then arrange for you to be let into your university accommodation.