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

On weekdays, the busiest times at this station are generally between 06:30 and 09:30 and between 16:30 and 19:30.

Station facilities

  • Parking
  • Shops
  • Step-free access
  • Ticket machine
  • Ticket office
  • Toilets

This is automated information from www.nationalrail.co.uk (opens in new window). 

General service information
Staffing Level
Full time
Closed Circuit Television
Yes
Information Available From Staff
Yes - from information point
Yes - from ticket office
Yes - from help point
Information Services Open
Mon-Fri - 24h
Saturday - 24h
Sunday - 24h
CIS
  • Departure Screens
  • Arrival Screens
  • Announcements
Customer Help Points
Yes

Yes, staff help is available from the Rail Information Point in the Main Concourse beside platform 5 and 6 or from any member of station staff. Mobility assistance can be arranged by contacting Southeastern  on 0845 000222. It is preferred if this assistance is requested 24 hours in advance.

Ticket buying and collection
Ticket Office
Yes
Prepurchase Collection
Yes
Ticket Machine
Yes
Oystercard Issued
Yes
Oystercard Topup
Yes
Use Oystercard
Yes
Oyster Comments

Oyster cards with a pre-loaded deposit only are available from ticket office. Top-up only from self-service ticket machine(s)

Always Show Oyster Card Fields
Yes
Smartcard Issued

No
Smartcard Validator
Yes
Smartcard Comments

Southern's smartcard is called 'the key'.  To apply online, go to www.southernrailway.com/thekey or pick up an application form from a Southern ticket office.

Travelcard
Zone 1
Penalty Fares
SE
All station facilities
Seated Area

No
Waiting Room
Yes

All platforms are partially or fully covered with a canopy.

Trolleys
Yes
Station Buffet
Yes
Toilets
Yes

Located on the central passage in the main concourse.

Baby Change
Yes
Telephones

No
Wi Fi

No

Find WiFi Hotspots around London Charing Cross station

Atm Machine
Yes

Located next to Hotel Chocolat

Shops
Yes

Vending and photobooths available

Accessibility and mobility access
Helpline

If you wish to book assistance but are not sure which train operator you are travelling with, you can call 0800 022 3720. On calling, you will be referred to the appropriate train operator.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
Staff Help Available
Yes

Yes, staff help is available from the Rail Information Point in the Main Concourse beside platform 5 and 6 or from any member of station staff. Mobility assistance can be arranged by contacting Southeastern  on 0845 000222. It is preferred if this assistance is requested 24 hours in advance.

Induction Loop
Yes
Accessible Ticket Machines
Yes

On the concourse in front of the ticket office.

Height Adjusted Ticket Office Counter
Yes

All ticket counters are lowered in this station. The Rail Information point has a lowered counter too.

Ramp For Train Access
Yes
Accessible Taxis

Accessible taxis are located outside the front of the station

Accessible Public Telephones

On the central passage in the main concourse

National Key Toilets
Yes

Located on the central passage in the main concourse. Radar key for accessible toilets

Step Free Access

Yes, the station is all on one level and all platforms are reachable by disabled passengers.


Coverage: whole Station
Ticket Gates
Yes

Yes there are ticket gates to all platforms. All platforms can be accessed by wide ticket gates.

Impaired Mobility Set Down
Yes

Yes, but not clearly identified as such. There is a large yellow Hatched box for loading and unloading that mobility passengers may use. It is unsupervised and there is no Help Point available. Help should be requested from the Rail Information Point in the main concourse, or from any member of station staff.

Wheelchairs Available
Yes
Assisted Travel

We want everyone to travel with confidence. That is why, if you are planning on travelling on national rail services, you can request an assistance booking in advance - now up to 2 hours before your journey is due to start, any time of the day. For more information about Passenger Assist and how to request an assistance booking via Passenger Assist, please click here.

Transport links
Cycle Storage
Spaces: 20
Sheltered: No
Cctv: Yes
Location:

Within car park and station forecourt


Annotation:

10 bike bars which can accommodate two bikes each


Type: Stands
Taxi Rank

There is a taxi rank outside the front of the station that is open Monday-Sunday 24 hours.

Onward Travel

Buses are available on the strand outside the station. All Transport for London buses are accessible by step free access.

More information about Transport for London buses can be found here

Metro Services
  • Bakerloo Line
  • Northern Line.
Cycle Hire

There are Santander hire cycles available near this station. See www.tfl.gov.uk for further details.

Parking information
Car Park

Name: Station Car Park
Spaces: 0
Number Accessible Spaces: 0
Accessible Spaces Note:

To be confirmed by station operator.


Accessible Car Park Equipment: No
Cctv: No

Website: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
Passenger services
Left Luggage

Operator Name: Excess Baggage Company
https://www.left-baggage.co.uk/index/locations
Mon-Sun 07:00 to 23:00
Lost Property

Operator Name: Excess Baggage Company
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
Mon-Fri 09:00 to 17:30
Live departures and arrivals