How to get there
By Aeroplane
Cardiff is served by Cardiff International Airport, approximately 12 miles (19 km) outside the city centre. Daily flights to and from Cardiff Airport are limited, but the Airport is particularly served by flights from Amsterdam (KLM), Dublin and Belfast (Aer Lingus). Travel between the city centre and the Airport can be made by taxi, or rail and bus link.
Delegates may wish to use Bristol International Airport (Bristol Airport), as an alternative arrival point into the UK, as it has more frequent flights and airline choices. Being 49 miles (78 km) from Cardiff city centre, travel to Cardiff is possible by firstly catching the A1 Bristol Flyer Bus from the Airport to Bristol Temple Meads Station, and then catching a direct train to Cardiff Central Station. Alternatively, there are many direct National Express buses operating between Bristol Airport and Cardiff City Centre.
For delegates flying into London Heathrow Airport or London Gatwick Airport, travel to Cardiff can be made by first travelling by Heathrow Express or Gatwick Express to London Paddington Station, and booking a train to Cardiff Central Station. Alternatively, there are many direct National Express buses operating between Heathrow and Gatwick Airports and Cardiff City Centre.
By train
Cardiff Central is the main train station in Cardiff, which receives trains from London via the main line from Paddington Station (approximately 2 hours duration), in addition to trains from Bristol (50 minutes), Birmingham (2.5 hours), and the North of England / Scotland. For train times and bookings, use Trainline.
European delegates may also consider taking the Eurostar from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Brussels, or Amsterdam to London, before transiting across London and take a train to Cardiff Central. For train times and bookings, use Eurostar.com.
If you are travelling by rail to Cardiff from anywhere in the UK, we strongly advise that you purchase rail tickets well ahead of time, as fares can be expensive when purchased on the day of travel.
By car
Cardiff is easily accessible from all parts of the UK. Cardiff is served by the M4 motorway, which runs directly from London. From the South-West of England, take the M5 to meet the M4 near Bristol. From the South of England, follow major A roads to the M4. From the Midlands, North of England and Scotland, travel via the M50 until you meet the M4 near Newport.
There are several public car parks and street parking available close to the University’s Centre for Student Life that operate on a pay and display basis, although they can be expensive. We, therefore, discourage travelling to Cardiff by car, unless necessary.
For more information about the location and directions, please refer to: AA Route Planner
Centre for Student Life – Cardiff University
Centre for Student Life
3rd and 4th Floors, Centre for Student Life, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff. CF10 3BB