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 facilities

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

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 ticket office
Information Services Open
Mon-Fri 05:35 to 21:50
Saturday 06:00 to 22:05
Sunday 08:30 to 23:30
CIS
  • Departure Screens
  • Announcements
Customer Help Points
Yes

On both platforms

Ticket buying and collection
Ticket Office
Yes
Prepurchase Collection
Ticket Office: Yes
Ticket Machine: Yes
Ticket Machine
Yes
Oystercard Issued

No
Use Oystercard

No
Always Show Oyster Card Fields

No
Smartcard Issued

No
Smartcard Topup
Ticket Office: Yes
Ticket Machine: Yes
Smartcard Validator

No
Smartcard Comments

Chiltern Railways Smartcards can be obtained from www.chilternrailways.co.uk/smart

Penalty Fares
Train Operator: CH
Url: https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/customer-service/penalty-fares
All station facilities
Seated Area
Yes
Waiting Room

Between Platforms 1 & 2.

Station Buffet
Yes
Toilets
Yes

Between platforms 1 and 2

Baby Change
Yes

Located in toilets on platforms.

Telephones
Yes
Wi Fi
Yes
Post Box
Yes

Outside the station

Atm Machine
Yes

Located within a retail outlet on the station

Shops
Yes
Accessibility and mobility access
Helpline

03456 005 165

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

Passenger Assistance Meeting Point is in the booking office.

If you are travelling before or after the station Booking office is staffed, please proceed to the platform and our Train Manager will assist you to board or alight the service.

Mon-Fri 05:35 to 00:00
Saturday 06:15 to 00:00
Sunday 09:10 to 23:50
Induction Loop
Yes
Accessible Ticket Machines
Yes
Height Adjusted Ticket Office Counter
Yes
Ramp For Train Access
Yes
Accessible Taxis

If you would like us to assist you in booking an accessible taxi for your onward journey please contact 03456 005 165.

National Key Toilets
Yes

On platforms 1 and 2.

Step Free Access

Step Free Access Category A. Step free access to platforms via lifts.


Coverage: whole Station
Ticket Gates

No
Impaired Mobility Set Down
Yes

In short-stay car park.

Wheelchairs Available

No

No wheelchair available

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: 30
Sheltered: Yes
Cctv: Yes
Location:

on platform 1


Type: Stands
Rail Replacement Services

Rail replacement bus services depart from the front of the station on Station Approach Road.

Onward Travel

For multi-operator bus information visit: www.networkwestmidlands.co.uk

Buy a Birmingham PLUSBUS ticket with your train ticket, for unlimited bus and midland metro travel around Birmingham.

Airport

Connections to Birmingham International Airport available. The X12 bus, operated by National Express, runs every 20mins from Solihull station to the airport.

For fares, timetables, and more information click here.

Parking information
Car Park

With effect from 1 July 2024, this car park is managed by Excel Parking Services on behalf of Transport for West Midlands. Please see signs in the car park for details on how to pay to park in this car park.


Operator Name: Excel Parking on behalf of Transport for West Midlands
Name: Station Car Park
Spaces: 446

Number Accessible Spaces: 8
Accessible Spaces Note:

Parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders in this car park, which is is managed by Excel Parking Services on behalf of Transport for West Midlands.


Accessible Car Park Equipment: Yes
Cctv: No

Open:
Mon-Sun

Website: https://connectcashlessparking.com/
Passenger services
Left Luggage

No
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
Lost Property
Yes
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
Live departures and arrivals