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Cardiff International Airport
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Cardiff International Airport
Wales's principal international gateway serving the Cardiff region.
- ›The airport was acquired by the Welsh Government in 2013 for £52 million.
- ›It is located near the village of Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan, not within Cardiff itself.
- ›The site was originally developed as a Royal Air Force station during World War II.
- ›Cardiff Airport handled over 1.6 million passengers in pre-pandemic 2019.
- ›It is the only international airport owned and operated by a devolved UK government.
Cardiff International Airport, located in Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan, about 19 kilometres southwest of Cardiff city centre, is the principal airport serving Wales. Originally opened in 1942 as a Royal Air Force station, it transitioned to civilian use after World War II and has since grown into a regional hub handling several million passengers annually. The airport plays a central role in Welsh connectivity, offering scheduled and charter flights to European and international destinations.
- Main Terminal — Cardiff's single integrated terminal handles all passenger departures, arrivals, and check-in facilities under one roof.
- Cardiff Airport Rail Link bus (T9) connecting to Cardiff Central railway station
- Local bus services to Barry and surrounding Vale of Glamorgan towns
- Taxis and private hire vehicles available at the terminal forecourt
- Car rental desks from major providers including Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis
- Private transfers and coach services to Cardiff and South Wales
- Rhoose Cardiff International Airport Hotel
- Travelodge Cardiff Airport
- Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre
- Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel
- Premier Inn Cardiff Airport
Inside the terminal, passengers can find a modest selection of cafés, bars, and fast-food outlets including JD Wetherspoon and Costa Coffee, suitable for pre-flight meals and refreshments. Airside options expand slightly past security, offering a better range of hot food, snacks, and alcoholic beverages. The nearby town of Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan countryside offer excellent local Welsh dining experiences for those arriving early or departing on later flights.
- Allow extra time for the journey from Cardiff city centre, as the T9 bus link takes around 45–55 minutes depending on traffic.
- The airport is relatively compact, so check-in queues can build quickly during peak summer charter departures — arrive at least two hours before your flight.
- Parking is available directly adjacent to the terminal in both short-stay and long-stay car parks; book online in advance for better rates.
- The Welsh climate means weather can change rapidly — check road conditions if driving via the B4265 coastal route, especially in winter.
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Cardiff Airport is an international airport in Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan, to the south-west of Cardiff, Wales. It is the only airport offering commercial passenger services and cargo services in Wales. The airport is owned by the Welsh Government, operating it at arm's length as a commercial business.
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