Cardiff (Railway Station)

Cardiff Central is the largest and busiest railway station in Wales, serving as the main gateway to the region's capital. The majestic Art Deco building is located in the very centre of the city, in the immediate vicinity of the famous Principality Stadium. The station provides direct high-speed connections to London, Manchester, Bristol, and the cities of South Wales.

It is important for passengers to know that navigation here is intuitive but has its own specific features. The main concourse is located at ground level, while the tracks run above—they are accessed via subways, lifts, and stairs. In total, the station has 8 main platforms (plus platform 0). Entry is gained through automatic ticket barriers, so please keep your ticket close at hand.

• Official Website: Up-to-date schedules and tickets are available on the Transport for Wales or National Rail websites.
• Helpline: National Rail Enquiries (the unified enquiry service for UK railways).
• Address: Central Square, Cardiff, CF10 1EP, United Kingdom.
• Opening Hours: The station is open daily from early morning (around 04:00) until the arrival of the last night train.
• Luggage Storage: Left Luggage services are usually provided by third-party operators; please check the location at the information desk.
• Accessibility: The Passenger Assist service is available, and there is step-free access to all platforms via lifts.

Getting to Cardiff Central is very simple, as it is located in the very heart of the city on Central Square. From major attractions, such as Cardiff Castle or St David's shopping centre, you can walk there in just 5–10 minutes. The pedestrian route is safe and well-marked with signposts.

A major bus hub (Cardiff Bus Interchange) is located next to the station, connecting the station with all districts of the city. A taxi rank is located right outside the main exit (on the right side of the building). If you are travelling from the airport, take the direct train from Rhoose Cardiff International Airport station—the journey will take about 35 minutes.

The station offers a wide range of services for a comfortable wait. In the main concourse, there are ticket offices and numerous machines for quickly purchasing travel documents. Free Wi-Fi is generally available throughout the station area (login required). For First Class passengers, a separate lounge (First Class Lounge) operates on Platform 1.

Amenities also include clean restrooms with baby changing zones (located in the east vestibule and on the platforms), ATMs, payphones, and photo booths. For passengers with reduced mobility, special waiting areas and staff assistance for boarding trains are provided.

There are excellent options for a quick snack within the station premises. In the main hall and on the platforms, you will find popular coffee chains (for example, Costa Coffee or Starbucks), as well as kiosks selling pastries, sandwiches, and beverages (Upper Crust, Pumpkin). This is an ideal choice if there is little time left before your train.

If you have at least an hour to spare, it is worth going outside. Literally across the road, on St Mary Street and in the Brewery Quarter, there are dozens of restaurants and cafes to suit every taste, including many Halal options. The average bill at the station itself may be slightly higher than in a supermarket, but speed of service is the priority there.

The history of rail transport in this location dates back to the mid-19th century, when the Great Western Railway (GWR) laid tracks here. Initially, the station was more modest, but with the growth of Cardiff's industrial importance, expansion was required.

The current station building, clad in Portland stone, was built in the early 1930s. It is a striking example of Art Deco architecture that has retained its historical charm to this day. The station played a key role in the transportation of coal from the South Wales Valleys and remains a Grade II listed building today.

We recommend arriving at the station at least 15–20 minutes before your train departs, especially if you need to buy a ticket at the counter. Entry to the platforms and exit to the city are through ticket barriers, so keep your ticket until the end of the journey. If you have heavy luggage, please use the lifts available on every platform.

Particular attention should be paid to days when rugby matches or concerts are held at the neighbouring Principality Stadium. On such days, the station switches to a special operating mode with a queuing system, and the time taken to reach the trains may increase significantly. At night, the station is safe and is patrolled by security and the transport police.