Map of Cardiff Central Station – Train, Transport & Entrance Guide

Cardiff Central Station is the principal railway station serving Cardiff and one of the most important transport hubs in Wales. Located at Central Square in Cardiff city centre, the station provides local, regional and long-distance train services to destinations throughout Wales and other parts of the United Kingdom.

The station stands between Central Square, Wood Street, Saunders Road and the railway lines south of the city centre. Its central location places passengers within walking distance of Principality Stadium, Cardiff Castle, St David’s shopping centre and many of Cardiff’s main visitor attractions.

This map of Cardiff Central Station provides a location guide to the main entrance, railway platforms, bus connections, taxi facilities, surrounding streets and nearby Cardiff attractions.

## Quick Answer

Cardiff Central Station is located at Central Square in Cardiff city centre. The principal entrance faces Central Square, with additional access available from the southern side of the station and surrounding pedestrian routes.

## Map of Cardiff Central Station

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

## Where Is Cardiff Central Station Located?

Cardiff Central Station is located at Central Square near the southern edge of Cardiff city centre.

The station stands close to Wood Street, Saunders Road, Penarth Road and the River Taff. Principality Stadium is immediately west of the station, while St Mary Street and the main city centre shopping district begin a short walk to the north.

The map marker identifies the principal entrance facing Central Square on the northern side of the station.

## Train Services

### Transport for Wales

Transport for Wales operates most local, regional and long-distance services from Cardiff Central Station.

Major destinations include Cardiff Queen Street, Newport, Swansea, Bridgend, Barry, Penarth, Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare, Treherbert, Ebbw Vale, Carmarthen, Milford Haven, Fishguard, Holyhead and Manchester.

Transport for Wales also operates services across the South Wales Metro network and routes connecting Cardiff with communities throughout south, mid and north Wales.

### Great Western Railway

Great Western Railway operates long-distance services between Cardiff and destinations along the South Wales Main Line.

Major destinations include Newport, Bristol Parkway, Bristol Temple Meads, Bath Spa, Swindon, Reading and London Paddington.

Selected services continue west from Cardiff towards Bridgend, Port Talbot, Neath, Swansea and Carmarthen.

### CrossCountry

CrossCountry operates selected long-distance services connecting Cardiff with destinations in England and Scotland.

Destinations may include Newport, Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, Birmingham New Street, Derby, Sheffield, Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Passengers should check current departure boards because operators, destinations, stopping patterns and platform allocations may change.

## Station Areas

### Central Square Entrance

The principal station entrance faces Central Square on the northern side of the railway tracks.

It provides access to the main concourse, ticketing facilities, passenger information displays and routes towards the platforms.

### Main Concourse

The main concourse contains departure boards, ticket machines, passenger facilities, shops and access routes to the railway platforms.

### Railway Platforms

Cardiff Central has eight passenger platforms numbered 0 to 4 and 6 to 8.

The platforms serve local South Wales Metro trains, regional services throughout Wales and long-distance trains towards England and Scotland.

### Platform 0

Platform 0 is located on the northern side of the station.

It is commonly used by selected local and regional services, although passengers should always check the current departure display.

### Southern Station Access

Access routes on the southern side of the railway connect the station with Penarth Road, Callaghan Square and areas south of the city centre.

Pedestrian and vehicle arrangements may change as major transport and redevelopment projects progress around the station.

### Platform Footbridge

A passenger footbridge, elevators and stairways connect the main concourse with the railway platforms.

## Station Facilities

• Ticket office and ticket machines

• Passenger information displays

• Staffed station areas

• Accessible station entrances

• Elevators and stairways

• Step-free access

• Waiting rooms and sheltered seating

• Toilets and accessible toilets

• Changing Places facility

• Baby-changing facilities

• Passenger assistance services

• First-class lounge

• Shops and convenience stores

• Cafés and food outlets

• Bicycle parking

• Taxi facilities

• Bus connections

• Public Wi-Fi

Passengers requiring step-free access should check current elevator and station entrance information before travelling.

## Transport Connections

### Local Trains

Frequent local trains connect Cardiff Central with Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Cardiff Bay connections and suburban destinations across the South Wales Metro network.

### Buses

Local and regional bus services operate from stops around Central Square, Wood Street, Westgate Street and nearby city centre roads.

Bus stop locations may change during construction and redevelopment work around Central Square.

### Cardiff Bus Interchange

Cardiff Bus Interchange is located beside Central Square and provides connections with local and regional bus services.

Passengers transferring between trains and buses should follow current signs because individual routes use different bays and surrounding stops.

### Taxis

Taxi and private hire facilities are available around the station precinct.

Passengers should follow current signs for the designated taxi rank, passenger drop-off area and private hire pickup locations.

### Walking

Principality Stadium, St Mary Street, Cardiff Castle, St David’s shopping centre and the main city centre commercial districts are within walking distance.

### Cycling

Bicycle parking and cycle routes are available around Central Square and nearby streets.

Cyclists should take care around bus movements, pedestrian areas and construction zones near the station.

## Nearby Attractions

• Principality Stadium

• Cardiff Castle

• St David’s shopping centre

• Cardiff Central Market

• St Mary Street

• Bute Park

• National Museum Cardiff

• Utilita Arena Cardiff

• Cardiff City Hall

• Cardiff Story Museum

• River Taff

• Cardiff city centre

## Visitor Tips

Check the departure displays carefully because Cardiff Central serves local, regional and long-distance trains operated by several companies.

Confirm which platform your train uses before crossing the station footbridge.

Allow additional time during weekday commuter periods, major sporting events and concerts at Principality Stadium.

Use the Central Square entrance for the city centre, St Mary Street, Principality Stadium and Cardiff Bus Interchange.

Follow current signs carefully because pedestrian routes, bus stops, taxi areas and station access arrangements may change during major construction projects.

Check live railway information before travelling because engineering work can affect services along the South Wales Main Line and South Wales Metro routes.

Do not confuse Cardiff Central Station with Cardiff Queen Street Station, which is a separate railway station farther northeast in the city centre.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Where is Cardiff Central Station?

Cardiff Central Station is located at Central Square in Cardiff city centre.

### Which train operators use Cardiff Central Station?

The station is served by Transport for Wales, Great Western Railway and CrossCountry.

### How many platforms does Cardiff Central Station have?

Cardiff Central has eight passenger platforms numbered 0 to 4 and 6 to 8.

### Is Cardiff Central Station accessible?

Yes. Cardiff Central provides step-free access, elevators and passenger assistance facilities. Travellers should check current elevator and entrance information before visiting.

### Can passengers travel directly to London?

Yes. Great Western Railway operates direct services between Cardiff Central and London Paddington.

### Can passengers travel directly to Bristol?

Yes. Direct Great Western Railway services connect Cardiff Central with Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads.

### Can passengers travel directly to Swansea?

Yes. Transport for Wales and selected Great Western Railway services operate directly between Cardiff Central and Swansea.

### Is Principality Stadium close to Cardiff Central Station?

Yes. Principality Stadium is located immediately west of the station and can be reached within a few minutes on foot.

### Is Cardiff Bus Interchange beside the station?

Yes. Cardiff Bus Interchange is located beside Central Square near the principal station entrance.

### Is Cardiff Queen Street the same station?

No. Cardiff Queen Street is a separate station serving local and South Wales Metro routes northeast of Cardiff Central.

Related Railway Station Maps

Disclaimer: This map is provided as a general location and orientation guide. Station entrances, pedestrian routes, elevator availability, platform access, railway services, bus stops, taxi facilities and surrounding traffic arrangements may change because of construction, maintenance or operational requirements. Check official railway and local transport information before travelling.