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Adelaide to Cardiff

What is the best way to get around Cardiff?

On foot

You don’t need to rely too much on public transport to explore the city. When your flights to Cardiff have landed and you’ve checked into your hotel, it's easy to explore Cardiff on foot. There are large pedestrianised areas in the city centre near the shops and the waterfront. Those wanting to really exceed the 10,000-steps-a-day target might also be tempted to hit a section of the nearby 89-kilometre Taff Trail that runs from Cardiff Bay to Brecon.

Taxi

If you want to get around faster or want to give your feet a rest from all that walking, tourists travelling on airfare to Cardiff can rely on cabs. There are taxi ranks at Cardiff Central Stations, Wood Street, St Mary Street, Mill Lane and Greyfriars Road. The base fare for trips is 4 GBP ($7.63 AUD), and the price per kilometre is 1.06 GBP ($2.02 AUD). Cardiff also has Uber.

Bus

Cardiff has an extensive bus system. Travellers about to depart on their airfare to Cardiff can download the Cardiff Bus app to help plan their trip and check up-to-date schedules once they arrive. If you have the app, you can also use it to buy mobile tickets. Otherwise, you can purchase a contactless card or pay with cash. A single trip around Cardiff costs about 2 GBP ($3.82 AUD), or you can get an all-day ticket for 3.80 GBP ($7.25 AUD).

Car hire

It's easy to navigate Cardiff by car. There's plenty of multi-storey car parks available, and you don't have to worry about gridlocked traffic. If you have your own set of wheels, you can visit nearby destinations like Brecon Beacons National Park, Pembroke Castle, and Snowdonia National Park.

Bike

Once your flights to Cardiff arrive, download the NextBike app. You can use it to hire bikes with the tap of your phone. The first 30 minutes’ rental are 1 GBP ($1.91 AUD) and the maximum amount per day is 10 GBP ($19.08 AUD).

Transport from Cardiff Airport (CWL)

The T9 bus service runs between Cardiff City Centre and Cardiff Airport (CWL). The bus stop is located outside of the terminal building and the service runs every hour Monday to Saturday and every two hours on Sundays. For a quicker option, grab a taxi as soon as your flights to Cardiff land or rent a car. You can choose from what’s available at Cardiff Airport (CWL) or request the vehicle of your choice through Webjet when you book your airfares to Wales.

What's on in Cardiff?

Cardiff Bay Beach Festival

One of the top events in summer is the Cardiff Bay Beach Festival. Book your return flights to Cardiff for travel between July and September, and attend any of the live performances on the calendar. There's also bungee trampolines and water zorbs that will keep the kids occupied.

Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival

The Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival is held in Sophia Gardens. If you want to plan your trip around the event, search for tickets to Cardiff for the end of June. For three nights, the Everyman Theatre Group puts on show-stopping performances of modern and classic productions.

Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival

Foodies buying flights to Cardiff over the summer will want to be sure to attend the Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival. Held in July, it attracts hungry crowds of up to 60,000 people every year. It's the best excuse to sample traditional Welsh food as well as other culinary treats from around the world.

Pride Cymru Big Weekend

Pride Cymru Big Weekend is one of the biggest LGBTQ+ celebrations in Cardiff. Taking place over a weekend in August, more than 40,000 people stop by to see the parades, street performers and fun-fair rides. Due to the popularity of the event and being held over the high season, it is wise to book your return flights to Cardiff and accommodation well in advance.

What are the best places to stay in Cardiff?

City centre

The city centre is the best area for tourists buying cheap flights to Cardiff for the first time. You'll be close to the main train station (making day trips a breeze) as well as plenty of attractions like museums, an arboretum, and the River Taff.

Cardiff docks

If the idea of staying in a chic apartment sounds appealing, book accommodation in Cardiff Docks. Once the hub of the city's coal industry, it has been transformed into a trendy, modern neighbourhood. Visitors buying return flights to Cardiff can dine on fresh seafood from Mermaid Quay and visit the Wales Millennium Centre.

Riverside

If you're searching for a quiet neighbourhood for your flights to Cardiff, spend a few nights in Riverside. It's next to the River Taff and Cooper's Field. Plus, you're only a short ride away from Queen Street and Cowbridge Road's bustling bars and restaurants. The laid back vibe and proximity to green spaces makes it a good fit for families buying tickets to Cardiff.

When is The Best Time to Visit Cardiff?

The best time to visit Cardiff is during the summer months. From June to August, temperatures are higher, and the city sees the least amount of rain compared to other seasons. However, the warmer weather and school holidays attract local and international travellers to the city. Expect higher hotel rates and the city's top attractions to be swarming with tourists.

A good alternative to the summer rush is spring. Temperatures aren't as warm, but it's a slow month for tourism in Cardiff. From March to May, you'll have a better chance finding deals and crowds will be minimal.

Winter is the cheapest time of year to visit Cardiff. December to February's freezing temperatures and snow keep most travellers away. However, if you don't mind bundling up, hotel rates will be at their lowest, and you'll be in time for Cardiff's Christmas markets.

Airports at Cardiff

Cardiff International Airport

Cardiff International Airport is located 20 km from the city centre and is the busiest airport in Wales. While the airport isn't a hub for any particular airline, it has direct and indirect routes to destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe and America.

Getting to and From Cardiff International Airport

The cheapest way to get from the airport is with the Cardiff Airport Express Bus. A one-way trip will cost you GBP 7, or you can get a return for GBP 10. The shuttles run every 20 minutes in summer (April to October) and every 30 minutes, in the winter (November to March).

Another convenient option is to take the train. The airport has a shuttle service that connects it to the nearby station. Trains run every hour from Monday to Saturday and connect passengers to Cardiff Central and Bridgend.

Cardiff airport also has a fleet of official taxis waiting outside the terminal. While fares into town aren't expensive, it's the best option if you have a lot of luggage or you're in a rush.

Other ways to get into the city include shared shuttle services and car rentals which can all be booked at the airport.