Station
Finding Cardiff Central station
Cardiff Central is located at Central Square in Cardiff city centre. It’s a Grade II listed building opened in 1850, easy to spot thanks to its grand stature and location in the heart of this historic city.
The station is on the South Wales Main Line. It’s the main station in Cardiff and a large transport interchange. You can access Cardiff Central most easily on foot, by bike or bus. You can also pay to use the car park. The station has step-free access.
Buy your Advance ticket directly with us for cheaper fares and no admin fees. Board your train at Cardiff Central to explore Wales and the UK.
Station message
If you are changing trains at Brighton, you may need to exit through the ticket gates and re-enter using the correct ticket for the next leg of your journey.
Please allow extra time if you are changing trains at Brighton.
Station facilities
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Parking
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Shops
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Step-free access
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Ticket machine
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Ticket office
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Toilets
This is automated information from www.nationalrail.co.uk (opens in new window).
General service information
- Staffing Level
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Full time
- Closed Circuit Television
- Yes
- Information Available From Staff
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Yes - from help point
Yes - from information point
Yes - from ticket office - Information Services Open
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Mon-Fri 03:45 to 01:45
Saturday 03:45 to 01:45
Sunday 03:45 to 01:45 - CIS
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- Departure Screens
- Arrival Screens
- Announcements
- Customer Help Points
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Yes
The Assistance Meeting Point is on the concourse outside WH Smith.
Ticket buying and collection
- Ticket Office
- Yes
- Prepurchase Collection
- Yes
- Ticket Machine
- Yes
- Oystercard Issued
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No
- Use Oystercard
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No
- Always Show Oyster Card Fields
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No
- Smartcard Issued
- Yes
- Smartcard Validator
- Yes
- Smartcard Comments
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For more information on using the Key smartcard, please visit the Key smartcard webpage on the Southern website.
All station facilities
- Seated Area
- Yes
- Waiting Room
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Yes
A heated customer lounge is available on the concourse. The waiting area may only be available during staffed hours.
- Station Buffet
- Yes
- Toilets
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Yes
Toilets and accessible toilets are located at the east end of the main concourse. An additional accessible toilet is located by the north entrance to the station, in the same building as the cycle storage facilities. The toilet is on the first floor of the building which has step-free access. Please speak to station staff who will arrange access to the building.
In addition, there is also a Changing Place facility available. This provides a changing bench, hoist, height adjustable sink and non-slip floors. The Changing place is located by the north entrance to the station, in the same building as the cycle storage facilities. It is on the first floor of the building and has step-free access. Please speak to station staff who will arrange access to the building.Changing Places is a campaign on behalf of people who are unable to use standard accessible toilets and are usually more spacious, fitted with advanced equipment and provide the user with a private, comfortable and hygienic space.
- Telephones
- Yes
- Wi Fi
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No
There is no WIFI at this station. However, WIFI is available onboard trains which serve this station. More information about onboard WIFI can be found on the Southern website.
- Post Box
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Yes
Located at the front of the station.
- Atm Machine
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Yes
Located on station concourse.
- Shops
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Yes
There are multiple refreshment facilities and shops throughout the concourse at Brighton station.
Accessibility and mobility access
- Helpline
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For help with planning your journey, or to book assistance, please contact our assisted travel helpline on:
- Phone - 0800 138 1016
- Textphone - 0800 138 1018
https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/travel-help/assisted-travelMon-Sun - Induction Loop
- Yes
- Accessible Ticket Machines
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Yes
All Southern ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts.
Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be. Please check the station map or the 'step free access' section before making your way to the station.
- Height Adjusted Ticket Office Counter
- Yes
- Ramp For Train Access
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Yes
A staff-operated ramp is required for step-free access between train and platform at this station.
- Accessible Taxis
- Yes
- National Key Toilets
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Accessible toilets at this station are accessed using a RADAR key.
- Step Free Access
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This is a Category A station: This station has step-free access to all platforms.
The Assistance Meeting Point is on the concourse outside WH Smith.
Coverage: whole Station - Ticket Gates
- Yes
- Impaired Mobility Set Down
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Yes
Drop off and pick up points are located at the rear of the station.
- Wheelchairs Available
- Yes
- Assisted Travel
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Staff are available at this station from the first to last trains of the day, for providing assistance getting on and off the train and assisting around the station and platforms. Assistance can be provided unbooked (turn up and go) or pre booked up to two hours before departure by contacting Assisted Travel.
Whether you pre book assistance or travel unbooked, please contact a member of staff on arrival. We recommend arriving 20 minutes prior to your train departing. This is to allow us to make sure arrangements are in place at your destination, or interchange, station such as the availability of staff and lifts. If there is insufficient time to check these arrangements, we may assist you onto the next available train.
For further information on assisted travel please see:
Transport links
- Cycle Storage
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Spaces: 740
Sheltered: No
Cctv: Yes
Location:There is a purpose built cycle hub by the car park.
There is also cycle storage at the station front.
Cycles are left at owners risk. Abandoned cycles may be removed.
Type: Stands - Rail Replacement Services
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Please click the link for details regarding the rail replacement bus location.
Rail Replacement Map: https://assets.nationalrail.co.uk/e8xgegruud3g/4 Y W U E I Ku Hx Pdv H1 F1muv X9/23242c2897a2cbfc168df52961fcd977/2025-01_ C I_ S N_ R R B_ B T N_ D R.pdf - Taxi Rank
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Located at the rear of the station, through the exit, next to platform 8.
- Onward Travel
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Information to plan your onward journey is available in the Onward Travel Information Map" below.
Parking information
- Car Park
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Operator Name: A P C O A Parking U K
Name: Station Car Park
Spaces: 633
Number Accessible Spaces: 26
Accessible Spaces Note:Free parking is offered to all Blue Badge holders.
Please ensure that your Blue Badge is displayed at all times when parking at any Thameslink, Southern or Great Northern station car parks. If dedicated Blue Badge bays are occupied, please park within any available standard bay (excluding premier bays) and display your Blue Badge.
The car park at this station is controlled by automatic number plate recognition ( A N P R), please ensure you follow the signage displayed in the car park to register your car for free parking as well as displaying your Blue Badge.
Accessible Car Park Equipment: No
Cctv: No
Open:
Mon-Sun
Website: https://www.apcoa.co.uk/southern/
Passenger services
- Left Luggage
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No
- Lost Property
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Yes
If you have lost something at one of our stations or onboard our trains, please visit our website and use the webform to register your lost item.
As some of our trains serve stations which are managed by other train operators (see below), you should also consider logging your lost item with them, just in case it's been handed in at one of their stations.
- Thameslink
- South Western Railway
- Southeastern
- Transport for London including London Overground
- London North Western Railway
If you have found an item of lost property, please hand it in to a member of staff.
Operator Name: Southernhttps://www.southernrailway.com/lostproperty
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