If you want a taste of the golden age of rail, you could do worse than visit Cardiff Central railway station. The Portland stone booking hall - complete with Art Deco light fittings - was constructed in the 1930s as part of an extensive rebuild by the Great Western Railway, whose name remains carved onto the station's facade. However, it is only thanks to the ingenuity of Isambard Kingdom Brunel that there is a station here at all. The site, originally developed in the mid-19th century, was flood-prone, and Brunel had to divert the River Taff in order to stabilise it. Conveniently located in Cardiff city centre, Cardiff Central is the largest and busiest station in Wales. It's predominantly an interchange between the south and west of Wales, but also offers services to major rail hubs throughout England, including Manchester Piccadilly and London Paddington. The station is just 10 minutes from the Millennium Stadium and the St David's shopping centre.
Cardiff Central has seven platforms, numbered 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. Platforms 3 and 4 are divided into A and B sections. The station's northern entrance, off Central Square, leads to the concourse, and the southern entrance is at the rear of the station on Tresillian Way. Platforms are above the concourse, and two subways run under the tracks linking the north and south entrances. The western subway (on your left from the ticket hall) has lifts for step-free access.
Cardiff Central station is open every day that services are running to and from the station. The station usually opens just before the first train of the day leaves and then closes after the last train departs. Ticket office opening hours may vary.
Trains arrive into and depart from Cardiff Central station almost every day, although there may be less services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains running to and from Cardiff Central station.
Yes, there are toilets available to use at Cardiff Central station.
Yes, dogs are allowed at Cardiff Central station but should be kept on a lead or comfortable in a pet carrier at all times.
Departing to | Train | Time | Platform | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
to Swansea | Great Western Railway | 10:42 | 3 | Late |
to Bridgend | Transport for Wales | 10:45 | 8 | Late |
to Aberdare | Transport for Wales | 10:46 | 7 | Late |
to Coryton | Transport for Wales | 10:49 | 6 | Late |
to Carmarthen | Transport for Wales | 10:49 | 4 | On time |
Arriving from | Train | Time | Platform | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
from Rhymney | Transport for Wales | 10:44 | 8 | Late |
from Merthyr Tydfil | Transport for Wales | 10:45 | 7 | Late |
from Treherbert | Transport for Wales | 10:46 | 7 | On time |
from Penarth | Transport for Wales | 10:48 | 6 | Late |
from Fishguard Harbour | Transport for Wales | 10:48 | 3A | On time |