Cardiff Airport, CWL > Reviews (6)

Once we had checked in we proceeded to the 2nd floor where there is a waiting area and a number of other facilities. We headed straight to the most important – the bar. We were impressed that prices were similar to those inside a pub in Cardiff centre. As our flight would not serve a meal we also purchased snacks from the “upper crust” however we did find the prices there inflated.

When our flight was called we proceeded through to the departure lounge, security was tight which was reassuring however, the staff were fast and efficient whilst managing to remain friendly. Once in the departure lounge we again found a bar and settled down to wait for about an hour. There was a large duty free shop here too, however I did not make any purchases as I generally find that it is cheaper to buy at the other end.

When our flight was called we had a short journey to the departure gate where staff handled the boarding of the plane very well. Within a couple of hours of arriving at the airport we were safely installed on a plane making plans for our weekend.

4 days later a lot poorer, very worn out, but sporting healthy looking tans (to hide how ill we were still feeling from hangovers) we arrived back in Cardiff. Our luggage was coming down the luggage rack within 10 minutes of us leaving the plane. We had one scary moment when it appeared like a case was missing but it appeared on the rack later. One quick journey through customs and we were in the arrivals area looking for our lifts home.

Enough of my reminising, I’d better give you some more info about the airport. I would recommend Cardiff Airport to anyone travelling away this year however realistically its only of use if this is your nearest airport.

Travel Directions

By Road : Cardiff Airport is 12 miles west of Cardiff city centre. From the South of England take the M4 to Junction 33, take the road south towards Barry, then take the A4226 west, the airport is clearly sign posted. From the North take the M5 down to Junction 15, then take the M4 across the River Severn, to Junction 33, and follow instructions above. Long term parking if pre booked will cost you : - Up to 6 days- £4.95 per day ,7-13 days- £3.95 per day, 14 days + - £3 per day. Short stay parking will cost :- Up to 30 minutes: £1, 30 minutes - 1 hour: £2 , 1 - 2 hours: £3.50, 2 - 3 hours: £5, 3 - 4 hours: £6, Up to 24 hours: £9, Each 24 hours thereafter: £9

By Rail : The nearest mainline station is Cardiff Central, direct trains run to here from London, the South East and the South West and the North of England. The bus station outside the train station runs buses to and from the airport. There is also a train station in Barry Town, trains run from Cardiff to Barry approximately every 15 minutes.

By Bus : The Airbus X91, X45 and 345 services operate between the airport and Cardiff City Centre Monday to Saturday, between the hours 0653 and 2236. The X5 service operates hourly on Sundays between 0815 and 2135. Journey time to Cardiff from the airport is approximately 40 minutes.

Bus fare is approximately £3.00. AIRBUS XPRESS X91 services depart from Stand E1 at Cardiff Central Station. For timetable and route information, passengers can contact Traveline Cymru on 0870 608 2 608, daily between 0700 and 2200.

Taxi Info : Cardiff Air Taxis are the official taxi operator for the airport They have a desk located within the arrivals hall. Taxis are available upon arrival, or can be booked in advance on +44 (0) 1446 710693. Approximate fare to Cardiff City Centre is £20.

Additional Info

Cardiff International Airport
Vale of Glamorgan
CF62 3BD
Wales
Enquiry Desk Tel: 01446 711111
Airport Code: CWL

Booking airport hotels : -

The website for Cardiff airport is www.cial.co.uk - here you can book parking online, view holiday offers and see live flight information.

http://www.holidayextras.co.uk/CoastDire​ct/ABCDirect.ASP?profile=1st&agent=wx690
www.airport-accommodation.co.uk/index.ht​ml?cardiff-hotels.htm

www.bmibaby.com - Offers value flights to a variety of destinations including : -Paris CDG, Toulouse, Munich, Milan (Bergamo), Alicante, Malaga & Palma, Belfast Int., Edinburgh, Glasgow and Jersey. Offers are often available which include sometimes free flights. At the time of writing this they were offering double internet discount.

WWW.airwales.co.uk - Wales own airline started flights between Swansea, Cardiff and London from April 28th. The service will operate three return services a day between Wales and London City Airport with fares from as low as £19 plus tax. They use luxury 50-seater ATR 42 aircraft. Flight times are 80 minutes from Swansea and 55 minutes from Cardiff to London. They also offer flights to Ireland at very competitive prices with more frequent services than many of the budget operators.

WWW.ryanair.co.uk - Offer flights from Cardiff to Dublin, however there is one one flight each way per day. This is at approx 11 outwards and aprox 10 in morning return. They currently have an offer where you can get a flight for 9.99 euros one way from June to October (subject to availability). They also have an offer where if you take out a credit card you will receive a free flight: - www.applyonlinenow.com/ireland/ryanuk&irejmp/index.html

Teletext page 239 offers deals from Cardiff and Bristol Airport often at bargain prices, alternatively try www.teletextholidays.co.uk/tv_offers.asp​?intSubSectionID=27&T=ITVMENP239&OffId=I​&area=overseas.

PS: if anyone is looking for a cheap few days away try BMI baby for flights and then look for accommodation on the villa’s and apartments page on teletext. Our 4 day break cost us less than £100 each all inclusive in Palma Nova.

Thanks for reading – wherever you go on holiday from this year – enjoy - Helen