Key Highlights
Planning a trip to Wales? Here’s what you should know before you fly into Cardiff.
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Cardiff Airport is the main international airport for Wales. It is run by the Welsh Government.
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There are over 38 direct flights from Cardiff Airport that go to many places in Europe and more. Each year, passenger numbers are getting higher.
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A brand new, direct flight with WestJet is starting in May 2026. It will go to Canada.
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The airport is close to the city centre. It is only 12 miles away from Cardiff’s main area.
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There are many good travel choices, like buses, trains, taxis, and car hire. All of these make it simple to get around.
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There are other airports close by, like Bristol, that give you different ways to reach South Wales.
Introduction
Welcome to Wales! It is easy to get to this lovely part of the UK now. Cardiff Airport is the main place for people coming in from other places in the UK and from overseas. Many people who want to visit Cardiff or see more of Wales travel through here. The airport makes it simple to fly straight into the middle of Wales, but you can also go through bigger UK airports and join connecting flights. Your trip to the great places and lively cities in Wales, or as some call it, Cymru, starts at Cardiff Airport. This guide will help you with all you need to know about flying in and out of Cardiff for your 2026 visit.
Overview of Airports in Cardiff
When you fly to Cardiff, you will most likely land at Cardiff Airport (CWL). This is the national airport for Wales. It sits in the Vale of Glamorgan and takes care of most of the commercial flights and passenger numbers for the area. Cardiff Airport is an important gateway to South Wales and the rest of the country.
In addition to Cardiff International Airport, the area also has other airfields close by. One of these is MOD St Athan, which is used for general aviation. If you want more flight options, there are several other major UK airports not too far away. These give good routes to get into Wales.
Main Airport Serving Cardiff
Cardiff Airport is the main airport for Cardiff and the rest of Wales. The Welsh Government owns it. This makes it an important part of the national system. The airport helps connect South Wales to many parts of the world with more commercial flights year by year. In the terminal building, you get all the main things you need. There is check-in, a baggage hall, and also shops and places to eat. Airlines like Qatar Airways give links to the Middle East, so Cardiff Airport goes further worldwide.
The airport has a development strategy that has helped it grow a lot. The focus is on lifting passenger numbers and adding more route options. Cardiff Airport has a long runway. It can take all sizes of planes, even some aircraft from the British Airways fleet, which use the maintenance hangar at MOD St Athan, close by. This work to expand means Cardiff Airport stays a big help for tourism and for people doing business.
Cardiff International Airport is just 12 miles from the city centre and Cardiff Bay. From here, you get direct flights to many places and can connect across the world. The services are good for both people on holidays and for those who travel for work. That is why it is the easiest way for visitors to come and see this lively part of the UK.
Other Nearby Airports
Cardiff Airport is the easiest airport to use if you want to come to Cardiff. There are also other international airports near Cardiff that be good choices. One of the closest options is Bristol Airport. It is about an hour and a half away by car or train. Bristol Airport offers many flights across UK and Europe. This gives you good options for your travels.
A bit further, there are bigger airports like London Heathrow Airport, Birmingham Airport, and Manchester Airport. London Heathrow takes less than three hours by train or car from Cardiff. It gives you the best flight choices to all parts of the world. Birmingham and Manchester airport are useful if you need to get to Mid or North Wales, but you can reach them from the south of the country too.
These airports are good backup choices if your favourite airline or flight does not land in Cardiff Airport. With easy road access using big motorways and dependable train links, it is simple to get to Wales from any of these airports. This helps you start your trip without any trouble.
Airlines and Direct Destinations from Cardiff
Cardiff Airport helps people in Wales get to a great mix of places. You can now fly direct from Cardiff to many well-loved cities in Europe and around the UK. This makes it easy for people to go on a weekend away or a longer holiday. More airlines are now using Cardiff Airport, and that means the number of passenger numbers is going up too.
Some of the main direct flights go to Dublin and cities in Germany. When it is busy in April, June, and September, you see even more flights. There will also be a new direct route to Canada starting in 2026. This will add to Cardiff Airport’s links and make it simple to fly between Wales and North America for commercial flights.
List of Airlines Operating at Cardiff Airport
A diverse mix of airlines operates from Cardiff Airport, offering a choice of direct flights for both holidaymakers and business travellers. Major carriers and budget-friendly airlines alike have a presence here, ensuring there are options to suit every travel need.
From long-haul connections with carriers like Qatar Airways to European city breaks and sun destinations, the list of airlines is always evolving. The airport also supports other aviation activities, with the British Airways fleet using nearby maintenance facilities. Here is a selection of airlines you can expect to find offering commercial flights from Cardiff International Airport.
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Airline |
Notable Routes |
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TUI |
Summer sun destinations |
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WestJet |
Toronto (from May 2026) |
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Ryanair |
Dublin, European cities |
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KLM |
Amsterdam (hub connections) |
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Qatar Airways |
Doha (hub connections) |
Popular Direct Flight Routes
Are you asking where you can go directly from Cardiff Airport? The airport has many commercial flights to different places. This makes it easy to plan your trip, without the need for a stopover or change in flights. You can fly to a city in Europe, head to a beach for a sunny holiday, or even cross the Atlantic. There is a direct flight on offer for each of these trips.
The list of direct flights is growing all the time. In 2026, Cardiff Airport will start a new direct route to Canada, which will be the first time Wales will have this route in almost twenty years. This is good news and adds to popular flights to places in the UK and Europe.
Some of their well-known direct flight destinations from Cardiff include:
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Dublin
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Amsterdam
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Toronto (from May 2026)
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Barcelona
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Various places in Germany
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Favourite holiday spots in Spain and Greece
Transport Connections to and from Cardiff Airports
When you arrive at Cardiff Airport, it is easy to reach your final stop. The airport sits in the Vale of Glamorgan and gives you great road access to the Cardiff city centre and much of south wales. There are different ways to travel from the airport, so you can get around without a problem.
You might choose a taxi for your journey, go for car hire if you want to drive, or use a bus or train to save some money. There is a link road that goes straight from cardiff airport to the main roads, and the rhoose railway station is close by. This station gets you straight to cardiff city centre, so you reach the capital without any trouble.
Public Transport Links (Bus, Rail, Taxi)
Yes, Cardiff Airport gives people many options to travel after their flight. There is an hourly shuttle bus from the terminal building to the Rhoose Cardiff International Airport railway station. You can get a direct train from there to Cardiff city centre and other places. This is quick and works well for most people.
Regular bus services go from Cardiff Airport to the city centre. These buses cost less and are good for both visitors and the locals. The drive lets you see some of Cardiff as you head to the capital city.
If you want a fast or more private way to travel, you can get a taxi right outside the terminal building. Thanks to the link road and good road access, your taxi ride to Cardiff city centre or your hotel will be simple and fast.
Getting to the City Centre from Cardiff Airport
Getting from Cardiff Airport to the busy city centre is quite easy. It is about 12 miles. You can pick the travel option that suits your needs and budget.
The fastest way is to get a taxi. You will find the taxi rank just outside the arrivals hall. The taxi can take you right to the heart of Cardiff city centre in about 30 to 40 minutes.
If you want to use public transport, there is a shuttle bus that takes you to Rhoose railway station. From there, you can get a train to Cardiff Central. This way is quick, gives good views, and is easy to use. There are also direct buses that run often between Cardiff Airport and different stops in the city centre. The bus is a good choice if you want something cheap and simple.
Hiring a car at the airport gives you total freedom. You can travel around Cardiff, or drive out to the Welsh countryside when you want. There is good road access from the airport, so it is easy to get into Cardiff city centre or more parts of Wales.
Conclusion
To sum up, the airports in Cardiff make travel easy for people who live here and those who are visiting. You can pick from many airlines and there are plenty of direct flights to choose from. It is simple to get to and from Cardiff, and travel is quick too. There are different options for transport like buses, trains, and taxis. These help you reach the city centre without any trouble, so you can see what Cardiff has to offer. Whether you want a short holiday or you are meeting family or friends, knowing more about Cardiff’s airports will help you travel better. If you are getting ready for your next trip, you can always ask for advice or tips to make your journey even easier.