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- Posted: 02/06/2025
Cardiff Airport Guide 2025
Jade Winmill
Deal finderEverything you need to know about Cardiff Airport
Cardiff Airport is the only airport in Wales offering commercial passenger services, so we are limited over here in Wales. Fun fact, Cardiff Airport isn’t actually in Cardiff, its in a little village called Rhoose which sits just outside of Cardiff. Now for many years us Welsh folk have been forced to travel out of Wales to benefit from budget flight prices. Cardiff Airport, due to its size, has historically not attracted budget airlines. This meant flying from Cardiff had often been a costly experience. HOWEVER, finally things are changing! We have had lots of new flight routes added and many with budget airlines. Now is your time to search Cardiff when you are looking for that bargain holiday!
This airport is a core memory of my childhood. I grew up with my grandparents owning a caravan just 10 minutes down the road. My grandfather would often take me to watch the planes fly in, and every time we drove past the airport we would all place a bet on how many planes were parked up to see who wins (we still do actually!).
How to get to Cardiff Airport
As I have already mentioned Cardiff Airport is not actually in Cardiff, but in my opinion this does not affect it’s transport links. If anything it makes travelling to Cardiff Airport via public transport a much nicer experience. As the airport is not in the city centre you are not battling with busy city traffic, Rhoose is a small and relaxed area.
Getting to Cardiff Airport by Train
Rhoose has its own train station named ‘Rhoose Cardiff International Airport’ that is 6 minutes away by car. If you wish to use train travel they have a dedicated airport bus named ‘905 rail link’. This bus runs hourly Monday to Saturday and two hourly on Sundays. The bus runs to ensure it is at the station at the the time of a trains arrival. The bus runs directly to the terminal taking approximately 11 minutes.
Cardiff central train station is Wales’ largest and busiest station meaning it has links across much of the UK. You can travel by train into Cardiff central station then make one change travelling onward to Rhoose. Rhoose trains run frequently with the direct train from Cardiff only taking 31 minutes. The bus company have also partnered up with transport for Wales, meaning you only need to purchase one ticket to travel from your home station right to the airport terminal via the bus. Simply put ‘Cardiff Air Ria’ in as your destination and your ticket will cover your bus link too!
Getting to Cardiff Airport by car
Cardiff airport recommend you use their listed postcode CF62 3BD to navigate yourselves to the airport.
Rhoose is approximately 13 miles west of Cardiff, when travelling on the M4 exit at junction 33 and follow the signs to Cardiff. As Rhoose is a relatively small village the airport is very well signposted on the approach and the road network is easy to navigate.
Need train tickets?
Trainline is great for finding a bargain
Cardiff Airport Parking
Cardiff airport has 4 main tier’s for their car parking.
Premium Parking – This is the nearest option to the terminal and their most prestige offering with extra wide parking bays.
Express Parking – This is their drop off service, you drop your keys into them and they move your car into a safe car park until your return.
Car Park 1 – This car park is for shorter trips or if you just need to visit the terminal. It has number plate recognition technology and meets the disability parking accredited requirement.
Car park 2 – This is the most widely used carpark for all holiday durations and offers the cheapest daily rate. This also have number plate recognition technology and meets the disability parking accredited requirement. This car park also offers you the first 20 minutes for free to allow you to drop off / pick up. There is also an additional drop off zone outside the terminal that is charged at £3 every 10 minutes. I have attached their car park map here.
Restaurants and Shopping at Cardiff Airport
There are plenty of options whether you need light refreshments or a full sit down meal.
Below is a list of the available shops and restaurants.
- World Duty Free
- Greggs
- Costa Coffee
- Tap & Brew (craft beer & kitchen)
- Y Castel (bar & kitchen)
- WHSmith
- The Beer House bar and restaurant
- Ritazza
- 51 executive lounge – This is their premium lounge if you wish to add that extra element of luxury to your airport experience.
Top tips for Cardiff Airport
1 – if like me, you not very organised with food prep, then a meal deal at the airport can be the most cost effective way to eat. Save the drink to take onboard your flight to save on the overpriced aeroplane refreshments.
2 – Always take a refillable temperature controlled bottle on holiday. We always use ours throughout our holidays to keep our drinks cool when out exploring. They will start saving you money as soon as you hit the airport. Cardiff airport has multiple water filling stations and often their bars will refill your bottles upon request. Never get caught out paying £4 for a bottle of airport water again!
Flights from Cardiff Airport
Some examples of their budget routes below
- Ryan Air to Dublin from as little as £16.99 one way
- Ryan Air to Alicante from as little as £24,99 one way
- Ryan Air to Malaga from as little as £21.99 one way
I mentioned earlier that in recent years Cardiff airport really have expanded their roster of flight routes and now cater for budget flyers. Cardiff flies short hall all over Europe, plus long hall to sought after destinations such as New York and Mexico. This allows Cardiff to stand tall and make themselves a valued member of the travel world in the UK. It is certainly not an airport that should be forgotten about.
Cardiff Airport Conclusion
I think we can all agree Cardiff Airport can’t rival some of the much larger UK airports with its range of shops and duty free, simply because of its size. However it offers every amenity you may need from food, beer, shops, luxuries, special assistance, changing facilities this list could go on. For me this only heightens the luxury Cardiff airport truly offers. It’s a smaller airport with fewer flights, meaning the airport never really has that chaotic rammed to the rafters feel. Everyone around seems far more relaxed and ready to travel.
Looking for cheap airport parking?
This post has some great tips!
Written by: Jade Winmill
Deal finderI’m Jade, a Mama of 2.5 children from South Wales. My husband and I have always had a passion for travel. We were constantly told “that will all stop once you start a family,” my answer has always been why?
If anything since having my children I’m even more determined than ever to travel the world. I now get to explore the world through their eyes, watch them learn and grow in each new destination whilst building the best core memories as a family at the same time.
Children don’t stop the travel, only you decide that.
Follow along to see how I build new ‘DIY’ travel packages around the world on a budget to ensure we can travel as often as possible.
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