Cardiff ski holidays
Cardiff Airport (CWL) can be found about half an hour to the west of the city centre, close to Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan.
With direct flights to more than 50 destinations and connecting routes to over 900, it’s brilliant for anyone travelling from Wales or the West Country.
Driving to Cardiff Airport:
Cardiff Airport’s postcode for Sat Navs: CF62 3BD.
The airport is about 13 miles from junction 33 on the M4 – road signs then lead you along the A4232, A4050 and A4226, ending up at the airport.
For the drop off / pick up area, short stay car park and long stay car park #2, you can use the eastern approach, Port Road and the western approach roundabout with A4226 and B4265.
If you’re using the long stay car park #1, use the eastern approach, Port Road.
Parking at Cardiff Airport:
Last time we checked, the drop-off point (right outside the main terminal building) was is free for the first 10 minutes, then charged £5 for every 10 minutes thereafter. The pick-up point cost around £1 for 20 minutes.
Cardiff’s Short Stay car park is the nearest to the terminal building, with parking from £1 for 20 minutes.
The two on-site long stay car parks are the best value for a week’s ski holiday – both a short walk from the terminal.
Public Transport to/from Cardiff Airport:
Cardiff Airport Buses:
T9 Cardiff Airport Express - Cardiff City centre
905 - Rhoose Rail Interchange
Trains to/from Cardiff Airport:
The nearest station is Rhoose which is linked to both Cardiff Central and Bridgend stations (every hour Monday-Saturday, every other hour on Sundays). To reach the airport from Rhoose, there’s a shuttle bus service which takes roughly 10 minutes for about £1 per person.
Cardiff Central serves a number of stations in Wales and beyond, including Barry Island, Swansea, Penarth and London Paddington.
Bridgend also has trains to a range of stations including Carmarthen, Cheltenham Spa, Manchester Piccadilly and London Paddington.
Taxis to/from Cardiff Airport:
FlightLink Wales provide private transfers to and from the airport, with minibuses provided for bigger groups.
Coaches to/from Cardiff Airport:
The First Group run luxury X10 coaches from Swansea and Cardiff Bus Station up to 12 times a day on weekdays. Their Cymru Clipper service runs every half an hour from Porthcawl and Bridgend to Cardiff Bus Station. National Express also have a number of coaches to Cardiff City from all over the UK. After arriving in the city, you can book a taxi or transfer to the terminal on the T9 Airport Bus.
Cardiff Airport facilities:
Lounges:
The Executive Lounge has lovely views across the Vale, with a private bar, snacks and complimentary newspapers and magazines. There’s also free Wi-Fi, access to office facilities and private bathrooms.
Food and Drink:
Caffe Ritazza and Café Cwtch both have a selection of hot and cold drinks and freshly made snacks, and the latter also has baby food warming facilities. For main meals and drinks there’s also the Echo Bar.
Shopping:
Currency exchange offices can be found within the departure lounge and accept a variety of payment methods. The departure lounge also has a WH Smith, a sports shop and duty free shopping – a collect on return service is usually available.
Wi-Fi:
Wi-Fi is free for the first half hour, then around £3/hour subsequently. There are also internet kiosks in the terminal that charged 10p/minute last time we checked.