Top tips for visiting Cardiff for an event or show

Caerdydd is one of the UK's most accessible event cities, but if you are visiting the capital for an event a little planning goes a long way. Find out where to stay in and near the city, how to get around, and tips for making the most of your visit before and after the event.

Caerdydd is easy to reach by train, coach and road from across Wales and the UK. If you're travelling on an event day, check for service changes, road closures and additional transport arrangements before setting off. See the travelling around Wales page for information.

Many of the city's major event venues are located right in the heart of the city including Principality Stadium, Utilita Arena Cardiff, Cardiff Castle, New Theatre; while Cardiff City Stadium, Sophia Gardens and venues in Bae Caerdydd (Cardiff Bay) are within easy reach of the city on foot or via public transport.

Staying in or near Caerdydd city centre means you can easily travel between your accommodation, event venue, restaurants and attractions without needing a car. The city centre is compact and largely flat, making it easy to explore by foot.

Accommodation can book up quickly, so it’s worth looking at places to stay in nearby towns and cities too. Many have regular public transport connections to the capital, making it easy to get to and from your event.

Casnewydd (Newport) is a lively city with rich history and heritage attractions and wildlife spotting havens. It’s around 15 minutes from Cardiff Central by train, with frequent services throughout the day. Regular bus services connect Newport and Cardiff in around 30 minutes, while a taxi journey typically takes around 25 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Search for places to stay in Casnewydd to find a base for your event.

• Pontypridd is a historic market town at the gateway to the South Wales Valleys, with parks, heritage attractions and easy access to the surrounding countryside. It’s around 30 minutes by train from Cardiff Central, with frequent services throughout the day. Regular bus services connect Pontypridd and Cardiff in around 43 minutes, while a taxi journey typically takes around 25 minutes, depending on traffic. Search for places to stay in Pontypridd.
• Caerffili (Caerphilly) is home to one of Wales’ most impressive castles and offers a convenient base within easy reach of Caerdydd. It’s around 20 minutes by train from Cardiff Central, with regular services throughout the day. Bus services take around 35 minutes, while a taxi journey typically takes around 20 minutes, depending on traffic. Search for places to stay in Caerffili.

Consider staying in a town along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. 

• Y Barri (Barry) is a popular seaside town, known for the TV show Gavin & Stacey, with beaches, coastal walks and plenty of attractions and places to eat. It’s around 30 minutes from Cardiff by train, with regular services throughout the day. Buses take around 40 minutes, while a taxi journey typically takes around 20 minutes, depending on traffic. Search for places to stay in Y Barri.
• Penarth is a Victorian seaside town on the Vale of Glamorgan coast, with a historic pier, seafront and easy access to nearby coastal walks. It’s around 15 minutes from Cardiff by train, with regular services throughout the day. Buses take around 25 minutes, while a taxi journey typically takes around 15 minutes, depending on traffic. Search for places to stay in the Vale of Glamorgan.
• Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr (Bridgend) is a historic market town with shops, heritage attractions and easy access to the nearby coast and countryside. It’s around 20 minutes from Cardiff by train, with regular services throughout the day. Bus journeys take around 50 minutes, while a taxi journey typically takes around 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Search for places to stay in Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr.

Plan your journey in advance, checking for road closures and service changes on Cardiff Council’s Travel advice for major events page or Visit Cardiff News page. Both pages are regularly updated with advice about specific events. 

If you're travelling by car, allow extra time on event days as traffic into, around, and back out of the city can be much heavier than usual. There are a variety of car parks in the city centre. Council-run car parks can fill quickly, and may be subject to event day tariffs so consider booking parking in advance where possible.

Check travel updates on Traffic Wales before setting off, as temporary road closures and traffic restrictions may be in place for major events. Consider car sharing where possible or staying overnight before your event and travelling into the city by public transport, or on foot.

Cardiff Central railway station is within walking distance of the city centre's major event venues. Additional rail services may operate for some events, but trains can be extremely busy before and after matches and concerts. 

National coach services and local bus routes also provide convenient access to the city. National Express operates from Cardiff Coach Station at Sophia Gardens, while FlixBus services use stops on North Road, including the Friary Gardens area. Other coach services may use stops around Kingsway and North Road, so check your booking for the exact pick-up and drop-off point. Many local bus services use Cardiff Bus Interchange at Central Square, next to Cardiff Central railway station, as well as stops across the city centre. For some events, roads will be closed and buses and coaches may be diverted or use temporary stops.

Plan your journey using the Traveline Cymru tool or see Cardiff Council’s guide to Travel Around Cardiff and Public transport. 

Caerdydd city centre boasts a spectacular culinary scene, offering a wide range of independent restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars within walking distance of major event venues. The city has truly ramped up its gastronomic game, serving up everything from vibrant, globally inspired street food markets to a phenomenal array of fiercely independent eateries. 

If you're planning to eat before or after an event, book ahead as popular venues can become especially busy on event days. A local's guide to eating in Caerdydd gives you a good selection of places to try. Caerdydd comes alive on match and show days, the most popular spots fill up fast. To ensure you don't miss out on the city's best flavours, be sure to book your table well in advance.

Extend your visit and see some of the many things to do in Caerdydd while you’re here. If it’s your first visit, our first-timer’s guide to Cardiff has plenty more inspiration to help you make the most of your time in the city. Whatever brings you to Caerdydd, make some time to explore the city while you’re here.