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Good to know
- Nearest airport
- Cardiff Airport (CWL)
- To city centre
- 9 mi
- Parking in the centre
- Paid zones
- Main roads
- M4, A470, A48(M)
- Region
- Wales
- Population
- 383,536
- City IATA code
- CWL
- Time zone
- Europe/London
- Currency
- GBP
- Driving side
- Left-hand traffic
- Rental offices
- 9
- Rental companies
- 5
Compare car rental in Cardiff
500+ rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
Where to pick up a car in Cardiff
Rental desks by area, with the distance from the city centre.
Cardiff Central
Offices 1Further from the centre
Offices 8
Rental companies in Cardiff
Offices come from open map data — not every one can be booked through our search.
Enterprise
- Offices
- 2
Avis
- Offices
- 1
Europcar
- Offices
- 1
Hertz
- Offices
- 1
Thrifty
- Offices
- 1
Cardiff by car
Cardiff began as a coal port and still faces its bay, where the Welsh parliament and the arts complex stand on reclaimed dockland. The valleys behind it climb fast, and the Brecon Beacons open out once the terraced mining towns run out.
Driving in Cardiff
Cardiff is reached by M4, A470 and A48(M). Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone. Driving through the centre is restricted, so most drivers park on the edge.
Where to park
Cardiff Council runs several car parks, NCP has sites at Dumfries Place, Stadium, Greyfriars and Knox Road, and Q-Park operates one in Cardiff Bay. Signs for the main car parks appear on some routes through the centre and around Cardiff Bay. Park and Ride runs from some railway stations into Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street.
Arriving by road
Once finished, the A4232, or Peripheral Distributor Road, will form part of Cardiff’s ring road together with the M4 between junctions 30 and 33. Other approaches include the A48 from Newport, Cowbridge and Bridgend, the A469 from Caerphilly, the A4050 from Barry and the airport, and the A4160 from Penarth.
From the airport without a car
From Cardiff Airport, the Adventure Travel 304 bus goes straight to Cardiff Bay and the Cardiff International Sports Village. The Rail Link 905 bus carries passengers to a railway station, where Transport for Wales trains go on to Cardiff Central or Cardiff Queen Street.
Popular searches in Cardiff
One click to the results with the filter already set.
Day trips from Cardiff
- Merthyr Tydfil21 mi
- Bristol25 mi
- Swansea35 mi
Rules of the road in the United Kingdom
- Speed limits
- 30 / 60 / 70 mph
- Alcohol limit
- 0.8 ‰
- Motorway tolls
- tolls on some motorways
What kind of car do you need?
Typical capacity for the category — the exact model is confirmed by the rental company at booking.
Frequently asked questions
United Kingdom: which side of the road do they drive on?
On the left. If you are used to the right, allow yourself a little time at the start — junctions and roundabouts catch people out, not the straight roads.
Which currency will I be charged in?
Prices are usually set in GBP. The rental company sets both the price and the deposit, and shows them before you book.
Can I drive the car into another country?
Sometimes, but only if the rental company allows it, and it often costs extra. Check the terms before you book.
Where do I park in the centre of Cardiff?
Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
An EU or EEA licence is enough.
What are the speed limits in United Kingdom?
30 mph in towns, 60 mph on open roads, 70 mph on motorways.
Are the motorways tolled?
Some motorways charge at the barrier, others are free.
Where can I pick up a rental car in Cardiff?
At Cardiff Central: Avis. In Leckwith: Hertz, Thrifty and 2 independent offices. In Tremorfa: Europcar. In Penylan: Enterprise. Elsewhere in the city: an independent office. More rental desks are at Cardiff Airport.