Cardiff Central train station

Cardiff Central train tickets, prices and times

In ORR’s 2024/25 ticket-based estimates, Newport (South Wales) was the main recorded origin or destination for journeys associated with Cardiff Central. Use the current journey results to check the route and any changes of train for your travel date.

Compare train ticket prices to and from Cardiff Central for your date, destination and Railcard. Check the times, changes and fare restrictions before booking. Where available, compare Advance, Off-Peak and Anytime tickets, and check whether your selected train offers a seat reservation.

Choose an available ticket-delivery method and follow the retailer’s collection or electronic-ticket instructions before boarding. Select a collection station only when it is offered for your booking.

Ticket-machine locations listed: north entrance; Cardiff Central Station (south entrance). Check opening and access arrangements if you intend to collect a ticket.

Before using a bank-card pay-as-you-go or train-company smartcard scheme, check that it covers your whole journey. Read National Rail’s payment-scheme guidance ↗.

At a glance

Station essentials

Station

Cardiff Central

Station code

CDF

Location

Cardiff - Caerdydd, Wales

Recorded entrance roads

Penarth Road, Saunders Road, Wood Street

Map

Open station location map ↗

Journey planning

Check ticket prices and train times

The map marks the station location. Check the correct entrance and platform access before travelling.

Train operators and station management

The checked station record names Transport for Wales as the station manager. The company managing a station is not necessarily the operator of every train that calls there.

Your journey results show the operator and any changes for the service you choose. Explore the Train Operators directory.

Facilities and assistance at Cardiff Central

• Ticket machinesListed — check availability
• Waiting roomsListed — check availability
• ToiletsListed — check availability
• Accessible toiletsListed — check availability
• Baby changingListed — check availability
• Customer help pointsListed — check availability
• RefreshmentsListed — check availability
• Wi-FiListed — check availability
• Bicycle storageListed — check availability

Step-free access: Category A

The station is recorded as having step-free routes to every platform. Platform access and boarding the train are different: confirm any ramp, lift or staff assistance you need for the complete journey.

Recorded staffing level: full time. Staffing descriptions do not guarantee assistance at every entrance or on every service.

Read the station’s detailed facilities and access notes ↗ and arrange Passenger Assist ↗. Check both your departure and arrival stations.

Parking and onward travel

Parking arrangements are listed for Cardiff Central in the official station record. Check current access rules, charges and any Blue Badge conditions with the parking operator before driving.

• Quay Multi-Storey: 681 spaces recorded.

A train ticket does not reserve a parking space.

Recorded bicycle-storage capacity: 102 spaces. Check the storage location and any access or security requirements before taking a cycle.

Recorded cycle-storage types: stands. Covered storage is listed; check which spaces this applies to.

The official travel notes include rail-replacement pick-up information, local bus information, taxi information. Use the current directions, since a replacement bus may stop outside the normal station entrance.

Cardiff Castle, museums and the Bay

For a city-centre visit, Cardiff Castle, National Museum Cardiff and Bute Park offer history, art and outdoor space. Cardiff Bay is a separate part of the city, with attractions including Techniquest and the Wales Millennium Centre.

If your plans focus on the Bay, include the onward connection rather than treating Cardiff Central as the attraction’s doorstep. Large stadium events can also affect the time you need to reach your return train.

About Cardiff Central station

ORR estimated 12,513,720 passenger entries and exits here in the year from April 2024 to March 2025. This is an annual estimate based mainly on ticket data, not a count of different people or a timetable.