Cardiff Airport is at Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan, about twelve miles south-west of Cardiff city centre, with a single terminal. It is not on a motorway, so the last part of any drive is on local roads. This page covers the road routes, the train and shuttle bus from Rhoose station, the local bus, coaches, and what there is to eat, drink and buy in the terminal. For drop-off charges, how early to arrive and which parking to choose, see our guide to flying from Cardiff Airport.
By car: the postcode and the main route
For sat-nav, the airport postcode is CF62 3BD. If you have booked parking, use the postcode in your booking confirmation instead.
The usual route is from the M4 at junction 33. Take the A4232 south to the Culverhouse Cross interchange, then the A4050 towards Barry, and follow the airport signs onto the A4226, which runs along the north side of the airport to the Tredogan roundabout at the entrance. The A4050 is single carriageway for much of the way and is the main commuter road from Barry, so allow extra time at rush hour. Some sat-navs suggest junction 34 instead; junction 33 is the route the airport gives, so check which way you are being sent before you set off.
Routes from each direction
- From England and the east (Bristol, Newport, the M5 and M48): take the M4 west past Cardiff to junction 33, then the A4232, A4050 and A4226 as above.
- From the west (Swansea, Neath, Bridgend): take the M4 east to junction 33 and follow the same route. If you are already on the A48, you can also leave it at Sycamore Cross, just east of Bonvilston, and take the A4226, known locally as Five Mile Lane, south towards Barry and the airport.
- From the Valleys (Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil): take the A470 south to the M4 at junction 32, then the M4 west to junction 33.
- From Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay: the A4232 runs west from Butetown and Leckwith to Culverhouse Cross, where you join the A4050 for Barry and the airport.
Traffic Wales shows live roadworks and delays on the M4 and the trunk roads in.
By train and shuttle bus
The nearest station is Rhoose Cardiff International Airport, on the Vale of Glamorgan line, operated by Transport for Wales. Trains run hourly from Monday to Saturday, east to Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street and west to Bridgend, and every two hours on Sundays. If you are coming from west of Bridgend, change at Bridgend rather than going into Cardiff.
The station is not at the terminal. Adventure Travel's 905 shuttle bus links the two in about 10 minutes, calling at the Celtic International Hotel and the Holiday Inn Express on the way. It runs about once an hour, timed for rail passengers, from early morning to late evening, with a later start on Sundays.
Transport for Wales sells a single ticket that covers the train and the 905 together; search for "Cardiff Air Ria" as your destination in its journey planner. Tickets are not sold on board the bus. From Cardiff Central the whole journey takes about 48 minutes. Transport for Wales suggests allowing at least two hours, plus check-in time, between arriving at the airport and your flight.
By bus
The 304, run by First Cymru, is the direct bus between Cardiff and the airport. It runs between Cardiff Bus Interchange, next to Cardiff Central station, and Llantwit Major, via Cardiff Bay, Dinas Powys, Barry and Rhoose, stopping outside the terminal. Buses run roughly hourly, with fewer on Sundays, and take about 70 to 90 minutes from Cardiff, so the train and shuttle is usually quicker. Traveline Cymru has current times.
The T9 express bus from Cardiff city centre no longer runs. It was suspended in 2020 and has not returned, so ignore older guides that mention it.
By coach
No long-distance coaches stop at Cardiff Airport. National Express and FlixBus run to Cardiff from London, Bristol, Swansea and other cities; from the city centre, take the train from Cardiff Central or the 304 from Cardiff Bus Interchange.
Food, drink and shops
Checked in October 2026 against the latest published listings, because Cardiff Airport's own website is being rebuilt and has no shop or restaurant pages at present; outlets change, so check with the airport for opening hours.
The terminal is small, and most outlets open from around the first flight of the day to the last.
Before security
- Caffi Cwtch: breakfasts, bacon rolls, sandwiches, cakes and hot and cold drinks, with vegetarian options.
After security
- The Beer House: the main pub-style restaurant in the departure lounge, with hot meals, burgers, a breakfast menu, local beers, wine and spirits.
- Caffè Ritazza: coffee, breakfast pastries, sandwiches and snacks to take away.
- World Duty Free: fragrance, make-up, skincare, spirits, wine and sunglasses. You can reserve online and collect and pay in the shop.
Because the choice is limited, if you want a proper meal before an early flight, go through security first and head for The Beer House. To compare parking for your dates, see Cardiff Airport parking.
Sorted before you fly.
