train journeys cardiff

Cardiff Central railway station

Address and directions.

Cardiff Central Station Central Square Cardiff Cardiff CF10 1EP

Ticket office opening hours

Monday 05:40 to 21:30 Tuesday 05:40 to 21:30 Wednesday 05:40 to 21:30 Thursday 05:40 to 21:30 Friday 05:40 to 21:30 Saturday 05:40 to 21:30 Sunday 07:30 to 21:30

Where is it?

Cardiff Central is located at Central Square in Cardiff city centre. It’s a Grade II listed building, easy to spot thanks to its grand stature and location in the heart of this historic city. Find things to do in Cardiff and buy your Advance tickets with no booking fees today. Want to know how busy your train to or from Cardiff Central is likely to be? Use our handy capacity checker .

Station message

Due to rugby games at the Principality Stadium, car park closures will be in place at Cardiff Central on the below dates. For more information tfw.wales/places/event

Wales v Fiji (10 November) Riverside car park closure from 20:00, 09 November until 04:00, 11 November Penarth Rd car park closure from 06:00, 07 November until 04:00, 11 November

Wales v Australia (17 November) Riverside car park closure from 20:00, 16 November until 04:00, 18 November Penarth Rd car park closure from 06:00, 14 November until 04:00, 18 November

Wales v South Africa (23 November) Riverside car park closure from 20:00, 22 November until 04:00, 24 November Penarth Rd car park closure from 06:00, 21 November until 04:00, 24 November

Station facilities

Step-free access
Ticket office
Staffing Level Full time
Closed Circuit Television
Information Available From Staff Yes - from ticket office
Departure Screens
Arrival Screens
Announcements
Customer Help Points
Ticket Office
Prepurchase Collection Ticket Office: Yes Ticket Machine: Yes
Ticket Machine
Oystercard Issued
Use Oystercard
Always Show Oyster Card Fields
Smartcard Issued
Smartcard Topup Ticket Office: Yes Ticket Machine: Yes
Smartcard Validator
Penalty Fares Train Operator: AW Url: https://tfwrail.wales/policies-and-reports/revenue-protection-policy

Located on Platform 1

All First Class tickets accepted.

A comfortable modern lounge, with information screens, complimentary refreshments and a dedicated customer host ready to serve you.

Wi-Fi is available.

Seated Area

On platforms 1/2, 3/4, 6/7 and 8.

Cold drinks vending machine.

Hot drinks vending machine.

Food vending machine.

Food outlet (Seating available).

The toilets are located on Platforms 1 to 8. The National Key toilets are located in the East Subway near the lifts and on Platform 8; these toilets are operated by a radar key and are only available during staffing hours.

Baby Change

At the Penarth Road entrance and also in the main concourse.

Located outside the main entrance.

There is a WHSmith located on the concourse.

03333 211202

Monday to Friday 04:00 to 01:00

Saturday 04:00 to 00:30

Sunday 07:00 to 00:30

Induction Loop

Ticket machines are located at the Penarth Road entrance and on the concourse.

Height Adjusted Ticket Office Counter
Ramp For Train Access
Accessible Taxis
Accessible Public Telephones

The National Key/Accessible toilets are located in the East Subway near the lifts and on Platform 8; these toilets are operated by a RADAR key and are only available during staffing hours.

Category A.

Step free access is available to Platforms 0 to 8.

Accessible gate available at each set of ticket gates

15 Spaces - (2 displayed bays on riverside car park). There are 20 minute bays in the Fish Jetty car park.

Wheelchairs Available

We want everyone to travel with confidence. That is why, if you are planning on travelling on national rail services, you can request an assistance booking in advance - now up to 2 hours before your journey is due to start, any time of the day. For more information about Passenger Assist and how to request an assistance booking via Passenger Assist, please click here .

Cycle parking is available at a number of locations at Cardiff Central. Sheffield stands are provided at the east end of platforms 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 6 and 7. Sheffield stands are also located outside the southern entrance to the station. Wheelgrip stands and a shelter is located in the Riverside/Fish Jetty Car Park - adjacent to platform 0

Sheltered stands are available on each platform.

CarPark Car parking1: Operator Name: A P C O A Name: Penarth Road Spaces: 193 Number Accessible Spaces: 8 Accessible Car Park Equipment: Yes Cctv: No Open: Mon-Sun Website: https://www.apcoa.co.uk/tfwr Car parking2: Operator Name: A P C O A Name: Riverside Spaces: 110 Number Accessible Spaces: 7 Accessible Car Park Equipment: Yes Cctv: Yes Open: Mon-Sun Website: http://www.apcoa.co.uk/tfwr Car parking3: Operator Name: A P C O A Name: Brewery Car Park Spaces: 44 Number Accessible Spaces: 0 Accessible Car Park Equipment: No Cctv: Yes Open: Mon-Sun Website: https://www.apcoa.co.uk/tfwr

The rail replacement bus stop is at the rear car park (Penarth Road entrance).

The taxi rank is located on Saunders Road, to the north of the station and right off Central Square). Exit the station through the main north side entrance turn right and the taxi rank will be in front of you as you head eastwards.

The Cardiff Bus Interchange is now open on Central Square.

Buy a Cardiff PlusBus ticket with your train ticket for discount-priced unlimited bus travel around the town. For details visit www.PlusBus.info

The T9 Airport Express coach service departs from the bus stop at the rear of the railway station.

The full timetable can be found http://www.trawscymru.info/t9/ . The journey time is 40 minutes.

Cycle hire is provided by Brompton Bike Brompton Bike are located next to Marks and Spencer in the south west area of Central Square. Home - Brompton Bike Hire (bromptonhire.com)

Contact our Customer Relations team directly via the Transport for Wales Website.

Left Luggage http://www.tfwrail.wales
Lost Property Operator Name: Transport for Wales https://tfwrail.wales/lost-property

The history of Cardiff Central Railway station

A major station on the South Wales Main Line, Cardiff Central carries a big responsibility for getting people across Wales and the UK where they need to be. Its grand halls with glorious Art Deco architecture truly reflect the golden age of train travel.

The site of Cardiff Central was once part of the River Taff’s floodplain. It was up to the great man himself, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, to come up with a workable solution. His idea was to reroute the river, creating a safe and stable location for the station. In 1850, the original station was opened for business. With several rebuilds and additions through the ensuing years, the glamorous Art Deco style was incorporated in the early 1930s. Today, the Grade II listed station is the busiest in Wales.

It’s just a 10-minute walk to the home of Welsh rugby - the Principality Stadium, the Millennium Centre and so much more that the city has to offer. Looking for inspiration? Check out this list of things to do in Cardiff that we’ve put together for you.

Take a virtual tour of our stations

Virtual tour of Cardiff Central station

See all of our TfW 3D station tours here and learn how they work.

How long does it take to get from Cardiff Central station to Cardiff airport?

To travel from Cardiff Central station to Cardiff airport, you need to hop on the train to Rhoose Cardiff International Airport station, and from there catch the convenient shuttle bus service to the airport.

How long does it take to walk from Cardiff Central station to Cardiff city centre?

The walk to Cardiff city centre, via St. Mary Street, takes an easy five minutes.

What car parking facilities are available at Cardiff Central station?

The 24-hour car park has 402 spaces, including Blue Badge spaces.

What facilities are there for bike storage at Cardiff Central station?

With 90 available bike spaces, including sheltered storage, there’s plenty of space, and it’s all overlooked by CCTV.

What other facilities are available at Cardiff Central station?

Toilets, including baby changing facilities
Station buffet
Coin and card telephones
First-class lounge
Disabled access - step-free throughout the station, ramps and induction loop available

Which popular destinations can be reached from Cardiff Central station?

Cardiff to Manchester
Cardiff to Swansea
Cardiff to Liverpool
Cardiff to Bangor
Cardiff to Chester
For more popular routes from Cardiff station, click here .
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